BAL P coach just said that Ryan is the Closer.

[Q]

Lets look at Ryan vs Krod in the only three skill statistics that matter...

BJ Ryan: 122K 35BB 4HR in 87IP
KRod: 123K 32BB 2HR in 84IP

Those numbers are incredibly similar, I would say so close that the difference is insignificant. Lidge and Gagne were only slightly better in those categories and I believe I said "close to" that level. The only thing keeping me from taking him right after those three is his lack of experience.

[daweasle]

nice reply Q - you made your point.

[RynMan]

Lets look at Ryan vs Krod in the only three skill statistics that matter...

BJ Ryan: 122K 35BB 4HR in 87IP
KRod: 123K 32BB 2HR in 84IP

Those numbers are incredibly similar, I would say so close that the difference is insignificant. Lidge and Gagne were only slightly better in those categories and I believe I said "close to" that level. The only thing keeping me from taking him right after those three is his lack of experience.

Interesting!

[LBJackal]

BJ will face a lot more righties this year. Pitching in the 7th/8th inning you don't face as many PH's and you can be brought in selectively when there a a couple lefties due up. As a closer, you face whoever's due up, and often righty PH's. And no, he wasn't that good against righties last year. A 1.48 WHIP is pretty bad for a reliever. Julio had a 1.32 WHIP vs righties but his K/BB was stil worse.

So yeah, it's Ryan's job, but don't think that he'll continue 2004's success or be remotely close to as good as Lidge/K-Rod. He'll face better hitters, more righties, and lets not forget last year was the first time he was any good in his 6 year career, and he's 30 years old.

[Yoda]

BJ will face a lot more righties this year. Pitching in the 7th/8th inning you don't face as many PH's and you can be brought in selectively when there a a couple lefties due up. As a closer, you face whoever's due up, and often righty PH's. And no, he wasn't that good against righties last year. A 1.48 WHIP is pretty bad for a reliever. Julio had a 1.32 WHIP vs righties but his K/BB was stil worse.

So yeah, it's Ryan's job, but don't think that he'll continue 2004's success or be remotely close to as good as Lidge/K-Rod. He'll face better hitters, more righties, and lets not forget last year was the first time he was any good in his 6 year career, and he's 30 years old.

This is assuming BJ doesn't continue to follow his 3 year trend of course. There is nothing to indicate that he will regress. I don't put too much stock in pitcher's age. If he can keep his BB down, he will be just as good if not better.

[StlSluggers]

Well, this is comforting since I drafted him relatively early as my #2 closer.



Thanks for the update...