MLB: The Best Young Closers to Watch in 2017
By Tim Boyle
The Seattle Mariners have plenty to feel excited about in 2017. The front office made several important additions to go with the already solid core. Seattle’s playoff drought may soon end, too. If it does, young closer Edwin Diaz will be heavily involved.
Like many top closers, Diaz was groomed in the minor leagues to work as a starting pitcher. Due to the Mariners’ needs, he fell into the ninth inning role in 2016. The 22-year-old excelled with a 2.79 ERA and 18 saves over his 51.2 innings of work.
The move to the bullpen may have put Diaz into a new stratosphere. He pitched poorly in 2015 at the Double-A level as a starter. So, in 2016 when he had to repeat the grade, the Mariners used him as a starter and a reliever. Diaz was much better pitching in relief thus leading to a midseason call up. Since then, he hasn’t looked back.
Diaz was everything the Mariners could have wanted from a closer. He averaged 15.3 strikeouts per 9 which showcased his terrific stuff. In some ways, they lucked into discovering Diaz has closer stuff. However they stumbled upon this, the Mariners should be thrilled to have someone they can rely on in the final frame.