Cincinnati Reds: Raisel Iglesias looking for redemption

After an up and down 2019 campaign, Cincinnati Reds closer Raisel Iglesias is looking to find redemption in the upcoming season.

Raisel Iglesias had a schizophrenic season last year and one of the most dependable closers in the last two seasons seemed to all of a sudden become a liability.

Although he had a career-high 31.9% strikeout percentage, the highest of his career, he lost 12 games and had an ERA of 4.16. Another thing that killed the righty last season was his 7.5% walk percentage and the 12 longballs he gave up. These are ills that he must correct in order to return to his 2018-19 form.

Something that might have contributed to his struggles was the way he was used by Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell, he was thrust in situations that most conventional closer normally wouldn’t see. Not only was he coming into tie games but also games in which Cincinnati was behind and was also counted upon to get more than three outs. This is something that the closer wasn’t accustomed to. Iglesias had six saves where he had to get at least four outs last season.

In games that he inherited runners in scoring position, he had an ERA of 12.91 and opponents hit .271 against him. In games in which he came in with the score tied opponents hit .333 against him, but with the lead like a traditional closer he was lights, opponents hit a paltry .205 against Iglesias.

With the Pedro Strop acquisition, I’m betting that Iglesias will return to the traditional closer role. I’m thinking Bell  might have observed that the Isle of Youth native is best at shutting down opponents in the ninth and getting those final three outs.

I asked him about his return to the closer role and what adjustments he made last season via a conversation we had yesterday morning to which he responded, ” My main goal is to remain healthy for 60 and everything else will fall into place. Now in the case of what role I will have that’s up to our coaching staff, I’m here to pitch in whatever role is needed by the team. I’m at the training complex working hard to correct some of last year’s deficiencies and I’m determined to have a great season.”

With an electric repertoire that includes a plethora of wicked breaking pitches and 100 mph fastball that can be thrown from various angles, I wouldn’t bet against Raisel Iglesias reverting to being the lights out closer he was before the aberration that was last season.