Cincinnati Reds: The 2010s All-Decade Team

All-Decade Cincinnati Reds Bullpen

Aroldis Chapman, Closer

• Years: 2010-2015
• Saves: 146

Awards: All-Star 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015

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There’s no question who gets the ball in late-game situations. Nicknamed the Cuban Missile for his 100 mph fastball and equally devastating slider, Chapman’s save total in Cincinnati was depressed only by the Reds’ lack of save opportunities. In six seasons as closer, he averaged just three blown saves per season.

Chapman was the personification of a ‘stuff’ pitcher in Cincinnati. Between 2012 and 2015, he faced 1,014 opponents and struck out 45 percent of them. The value of ERA+ as an assessment tool is marginalized for elite closers, given the specialized situations in which they work. Nonetheless, Chapman’s average 213 ERA+ between 2012 and 2015 fairly screams dominance.

Raisel Iglesias, Right-Handed Setup

• Years: 2015-2019
• Saves: 98

Iglesias has been Cincinnati’s primary closer since 2017, averaging 31 saves per season in that period.

He’s a reliable competitor, averaging 62 appearances and in 2019 finishing a league-high 55 games. He may lack Chapman’s consistent strikeout touch, but Iglesias has still whiffed more than one-quarter of the batters he has faced across his still-developing career.

Tony Cingrani, Left-Handed Setup

• Years: 2012-2017
• Saves: 17

When Chapman was traded, Cingrani briefly inherited the closer’s job from the man he had spent his first four seasons setting up. He had a 1.25 WHIP and in his best year, 2013, struck out 120 of the 401 batters he faced.