Detroit Tigers: Five Potential Backup Closing Candidates

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Mar 4, 2017; Lakeland, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Francisco Rodriguez (57) throws a pitch during the fifth inning of an MLB spring training baseball game against the New York Yankees at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Detroit Tigers relievers enjoyed a solid year in 2016. Much of that success had to do with closer Francisco Rodriguez. If Rodriguez isn’t available at any point for Detroit, here are the top backup closers.

Detroit Tigers closer Francisco Rodriguez enjoyed a strong season in his first campaign in the Motor City.

Tigers general manager Al Avila brought in the veteran via in an offseason trade with the Milwaukee Brewers.

Avila only gave up infield prospect Javier Betancourt and reserve catcher Manny Pina for Rodriguez, who notched 44 saves for the Tigers in 2016.

A middle infielder by trade, Betancourt was blocked by Ian Kinsler, Jose Iglesias, Andrew Romine and Dixon Machado in Detroit.

During his first season in the Milwaukee system, the 21-year-old hit .224 with a .606 OPS in 110 contests at Double-A.

Pina saw action in 33 games with the Brewers last season after seeing time at the Triple-A level. Like Betancourt, he was blocked in Detroit.

In return for the two players, Avila and the Tigers picked up a player who solidified the team’s bullpen.

With Rodriguez pitching in the ninth, other relievers on the roster were able to settle into more consistent roles.

In unsurprising fashion, the man also referred to as “K-Rod” dominated the saves category for Detroit. The former Angels stalwart racked up 44 saves. The next closest pitchers included Shane Greene and Justin Wilson.

Greene had two saves, while Wilson had just one.

If the Detroit Tigers are in need of a closer on a day in which Francisco Rodriguez is rested after pitching in too many consecutive games—or if an injury occurs—here are some of the top candidates.

Feb 28, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; A multiple exposure photo of Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Bruce Rondon (43) pitching in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports /

Bruce Rondon
Throws: Right-Handed
Major League Innings: 96
Major League Saves: Six
Career WAR: 0.8

Long term, Bruce Rondon and Joe Jimenez are the most likely candidates to take over for Francisco Rodriguez.

Rondon gets the nod here based on his excellent performance to close out 2016.

While the flame-throwing right-hander wasn’t on Detroit’s Opening Day roster, he made quick work of batters in the minors (12.5 strikeouts per nine innings, 3.74 ERA) before making the jump to the Majors in the middle of June.

From that point on, Rondon was arguably Brad Ausmus most dependable and dominant reliever.

Over the span of 36.1 innings, the 25-year-old missed a significant number of bats.

He punched out 11.15 hitters per nine innings while logging a 15.8 swinging strike percentage.

Both numbers paced Detroit by a significant margin.

In terms of strikeouts per nine innings, Justin Wilson finished closest

Meanwhile, Shane Greene was the closest to Rondon in terms of swinging strike percentage, checking in with a 12.7 number.

Rondon only has six career saves in the big leagues, but he certainly has the stuff to thrive in the ninth inning.

With a blazing fastball and an excellent slider, the reliever has the tools to succeed in the ninth inning.

Feb 23, 2016; Lakeland, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Joe Jimenez (77) warms up during the Detroit Tigers spring training camp at Joker Merchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Joe Jimenez
Throws: Right-Handed
Major League Innings: 0
Major League Saves: 0
Career WAR: 0

One of the better relief pitching prospects in the league, Joe Jimenez brings plenty of intrigue.

It remains to be seen if he’ll make the Detroit Tigers Opening Day roster, but Jimenez could make an impact out of the bullpen.

Like Rondon, he has the tools to succeed in the ninth inning thanks to promising fastball-slider combination.

Also similar to Rondon, Jimenez has had plenty of closing experience in the minors.

During the 2015 season with Single-A West Michigan, the reliever notched 17 saves.

Additionally, Jimenez saved 30 games last season across three minor league stops, finishing 52 games in the process.

All told, the 22-year-old has appeared in 126 games in the minors. He’s finished 105 contests while collecting 52 saves.

In addition to it being unknown as to whether Jimenez makes the team out of Spring Training, it also remains to be seen if the Tigers will put the prospect into key situations right away.

However, Jimenez has the upside to thrive there.

Long term, the right-hander is one of the front runners to step in and replace Rodriguez as the Detroit Tigers closer.

Other Candidates

Shane Greene

The former Yankee notched two saves last season, additionally, he kept the ball in the yard with only three home runs allowed.

Given Greene’s ability to miss bats (8.8 strikeouts per nine innings) and induce ground balls, the reliever could find success in the ninth inning.

Justin Wilson

Justin Wilson finished only behind Rondon among Detroit Tigers relievers in terms of strikeouts per nine innings with 9.97 punch outs per nine frames.

Meanwhile, only Rondon and Greene notched higher swinging strike percentages than the southpaw’s 12.5 number.

Wilson’s ability to punch out batters should help him record plenty of outs if he’s called on to pitch in the ninth inning.

In his career, the veteran has made 38 appearances in the ninth inning.

Over that span, he owns a 3.69 ERA while holding opposing hitters to a .214 batting average.

Edward Mujica

A non-roster invitee, Edward Mujica faces plenty of competition to make Detroit’s Opening Day roster.

So far, the former Cardinal has allowed seven hits, six runs, three walks and a home run in four innings.

However, despite the early struggles, the reliever does boast previous closing experience.

During the 2013 campaign with St. Louis, the 32-year-old posted 37 saves.

Next: Dixon Machado's Encouraging Start to Spring Training

Mujica also pitched to a 2.78 ERA in 64.2 innings that season, earning All-Star honors in the process.

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