MLB: Unveiling the All-Underrated team of the decade
2010s MLB All-Underrated Team
Relief Pitcher: Sean Doolittle
Stats for the decade: 111 saves, 10.60 K/9, 3.02 ERA, 2.69 FIP, 457 Ks
Today in the MLB, elite relief pitchers have crazy stuff. Flamethrowers like Aroldis Chapman, Craig Kimbrel, and Kenley Jansen have changed what it means to be one of the game’s top relievers. They ushered out a 2000s decade that was dominated by Mariano Rivera and Trevor Hoffman, who used more precision than power to overwhelm their opponents.
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However, like every other position on this list, there were those who were less innovative in the 2010s but still proved to be very effective throughout the decade. Nobody epitomizes this more than Sean Doolittle.
Doolittle entered the league in 2012 with the Athletics, and since then, he has posted great numbers in various roles across different periods of his career. Some years, he was his team’s primary closer, like in 2014 with the A’s, and 2017-2019 with the Nationals. Other years, he was a setup man. Regardless of his role, Doolittle has quietly been one of the most effective relievers in the league, without the overpowering stuff.
Throughout his career, his average fastball velocity is an even 94 mph and has never reached a mark higher than 94.8 mph in a season. However, he relies heavily on his fastball, throwing it 88% of the time during his eight-year career. He mixes in a slider and changeup into his arsenal, but he lives and dies by his fastball.
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It is impressive that a guy that has never thrown a fastball harder than 95 mph for a season has found so much success in a league that is highlighted by monsters who consistently break triple digits in velocity. Now, Doolittle hoists up a World Series trophy after playing an integral role in a Nationals bullpen that stepped up big time in the postseason. Perhaps, people won’t overlook Sean Doolittle anymore.