The 2008 MLB All-Underrated Team: Bullpen
If there's one thing chicks don't dig, it's relief pitchers. ย
Closers aside, the only respect relievers usually get is from their managers and the people they back up. ย It's a sad situation as a solid relief corps can mean the difference between a playoff spot and a long winter. (Ahem, Mets fans.)
Today, I round out the 2008 Major League Baseball All-Underrated Team's pitching staff by finding thoseย underappreciatedย and unrecognized mop-upย men, long relievers, lefty specialists, seventh-inning guys, setup men, and closers.
Joelย Hanrahan, RP, Washington Nationals
For a pitching staff as dismal as Washington's,ย Hanrahanย is a ray of hope. A converted starter,ย Hanrahanย worked exclusively out of the pen in 2008 and ate up 84 innings as Nationals starters attempted and, more often than not, failed to work six solid innings.
While Hanrahan's ERA may not sparkle (3.95), his versatility and ability to miss bats (over one strikeout per inning) makes him invaluable. ย
Towards the end of the season, Hanrahanย took the closer reigns after Jonย Rauchย and Luis Ayala were dealt. ย He'll look to retain the role next year.
Craigย Breslow, RP, Minnesota Twins
Craigย Breslowย doesn't like to stay in one place for too long. ย In three years, he's played for four teams. ย And whileย Breslowย hasn't exactly lit up (insert city name here)'s skiesย withย his pitching in the past, he's been far from horrible.
Given the chance to pitch consistently in 2008, the lefty specialist K'ed batters with solid regularity and kept opponents off the scoreboard, while sporting a 1.91 ERA through 47 innings.ย In doing so, he earned himself a roster spot in 2009.
Taylor Buchholz, RP, Colorado Rockies
Once pegged as the top prospect in the Houston Astros organization byย Baseball America,ย Buchholzย stumbled during his first call up in 2006 as a starter, posting a 5.89 ERA and going 6-10. ย
He was acquired by the Rockies in 2007 as part of the Willyย Taverasย deal, but once again faltered in a starting role. ย Buchholzย was quickly moved to the pen and saw nearly all his stats improve.
In 2008,ย Buchholzย flourished, cementing his status as the Rockies' setup manย withย a 2.17 ERA through 66.3 innings.ย With Brian Fuentes leaving via free agency, he is quite possibly the Rockies' closer in the wings if he can beat out Mannyย Corpas and newly acquired Huston Street.
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Joakimย Soria, RP, Kansas City Royals
Soriaย was acquired through the Rule Five Draft from the San Diego Padres in 2006 and wasted no time proving himself. ย During his 2007 rookie campaign,ย Soriaย struck out 75 through 69 innings, while notching 17 saves. ย He did not receive a single Rookie of the Year nod.
In 2008, "Theย Mexicutioner" bested those numbers by saving 42 games, striking out 66 in 67 innings, and posting a 1.60 ERA. ย He earned an All-Star spot ("Who the heck is this pitching? Anyone? ย Anyone?") and helped the Royals out of the AL Central's basement for the first time in five years.
Soriaย is arguably the best player that nobody has heard of. ย In a perfect world, he would have garnered at least one R.O.Y vote in 2007, and at least one vote in this year's Cy Young or M.V.P. race. ย Call me crazy!
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Honorable Mentions
Johnย Grabowย (Pittsburgh), Jim Johnson (Baltimore), Matt Thornton (Chicago), Joe "I'm Possibly the Most Consistent Closer In the Game" Nathan (Minnesota)
I appreciate all comments, criticisms, suggestions, and hate mail, so feel free to send it along.
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