Atlanta Braves Arodys Vizcaino: Deep Sleeper Closer
By Bill Pivetz
Atlanta Braves Manager Fredi Gonzalez named Arodys Vizcaino the closer. There is some competition behind him, but he’s the man for now. Pick him up.
The Atlanta Braves entered the season with a three-headed monster at the closer position. They have Jim Johnson and Jason Grilli, both of whom have a lot of closer experience. However, that’s not who the Braves are going with for the foreseeable future. After a blown save by Grilli, Braves Manager announced that Arodys Vizcaino as the team’s primary closer.
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In the Braves’ first game, Gonzalez chose to bring in Vizcaino in the eighth inning to face the Washington Nationals power hitters. He allowed one walk, but no hits. Grilli then came in to close out the game, but that did not go well. He gave up one run on two hits and a walk, leading to the blown save. After the game, Gonzalez made the announcement to go with Vizcaino.
Last season, Arodys Vizcaino pitched in 33.2 innings. He recorded nine saves with a 1.60 ERA, 1.188 WHIP and 9.9 K/9. He was called up at the beginning of July after Grilli suffered a torn Achilles. Grilli moved into the closer spot after the Braves traded Craig Kimbrel to the San Diego Padres hours before Opening Day last season.
Grilli earned the chance to save this season after pitching well last year. In 33.2 innings, he recorded 24 saves with a 2.94 ERA, 1.129 WHIP and 12.0 K/9. However, despite being healthy, he blew his chance at earning the majority of saves this season.
The National League East is not the best hitting division. The New York Mets and Washington Nationals offenses are good. The Miami Marlins have some pieces. And we know the struggles the Philadelphia Phillies are going through. While the Braves offense isn’t anything to write home about either, the pitchers are good enough to limit opposing runs before handing it off to the bullpen.
Next: Luke Gregerson: Houston's New Closer
Just like with the article I previously posted, this is another situation where a closer can be picked up off the waiver wire. Arodys Vizcaino is available in 65 percent of ESPN leagues. There is still a chance he pitches in the eighth inning to face the heart of opposing lineups. So, the likelihood of 30 saves is small. If you need some saves to move up in your ROTO standings or win your weekly matchup, Vizcaino is someone to grab in most leagues.