MLB: Relief Pitchers Who Could Close if Given the Chance

RHP Brad Brach (Baltimore Orioles)

2016 Stats: 1.68 ERA/10.4 SO9/2.8 BB9/0.6 HR9/2.59 FIP/0.948 WHIP/2.8 WAR

Baltimore’s bullpen already has the best closer in the MLB in Zach Britton, who’s perfect on saves and possesses an ERA under 1.00. But this isn’t to say that the Orioles don’t have another relief pitcher on the roster that is capable of being a productive closer.

Going into this season, if you were looking at any reliever who could close besides Britton it would be Darren O’Day. However, the submariner has not been on the field as he’s had two stints on the disabled list. This has opened up the setup man job to Brad Brach, the unheralded righty who was in his second season since he was traded to Baltimore.

Brach was dealt to the Orioles from the San Diego Padres prior to the 2014 season and he has been impressive in the two years he’s worn orange and black. But, things have gone even better in 2016.

He was voted to his first all-star game as he pitched to an ERA under 1.00 during the first half of the season, as he and Zach Britton made up the toughest 8-9 inning duo in the MLB. Brach has taken a step back in the past month, allowing just a few runs,  but he is still is dominant.

Brach pitches from an unorthodox angle as he uses a somewhat side arm slot with a bit of a hitch in his wind up. He also has great stuff as he throws his fastball in the mid 90s and has a swing and miss changeup. The 30 year-old has been striking people out more the past two years, getting slightly over 10 per nine innings in 2015 and 2016.

Baltimore has many quality relief pitchers, but Brach has reached a level that would suggest that he would thrive as a closer in this league.