Minors does not use closers

Comedian2004 · 07-05-2005, 06:01 PM

How come the minor league does not use the closer role? Look at a computer controlled team under MINOR LEAGUE STAFF and you will see no person set for the closer role.

In fact, generally you see only one closer per team. A team may have 200 catchers in their system, but just 1, maybe 2 closers. That is in the majors and minors.

Could this be why the closer role seems so messed up?

DougWyatt · 07-05-2005, 08:02 PM

I've noticed this, but I never minded. I would prefer my top relief pitcher to go into a higher innning MR role to gain more experience. Works best IMO for developement.

-- Well, unless of course him being a minor league closer will help increase his "clutch" rating

Comedian2004 · 07-05-2005, 08:25 PM

I understand what you are saying, but there are no real closers being prepared in the minors. Players working on their skills of coming in with the bases loaded to save the game. I notice that closers usually are older guys that did not make it as starters, it is almost like the starter role gets the same respect that the mop up roll gets.

How about the 1st year drafts? Are their closers that come in that way? I will have to follow up on that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DougWyatt

I've noticed this, but I never minded. I would prefer my top relief pitcher to go into a higher innning MR role to gain more experience. Works best IMO for developement.

-- Well, unless of course him being a minor league closer will help increase his "clutch" rating

jarmenia · 07-05-2005, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Comedian2004

I understand what you are saying, but there are no real closers being prepared in the minors. Players working on their skills of coming in with the bases loaded to save the game. I notice that closers usually are older guys that did not make it as starters, it is almost like the starter role gets the same respect that the mop up roll gets.

How about the 1st year drafts? Are their closers that come in that way? I will have to follow up on that.

I believe this to be accurate. How many kids come up as closers in MLB? I don't know of any. Usually they are starters that convert, or MR that start out as setup men and then move into the closer role.

Dagrims · 07-05-2005, 09:01 PM

In my solo leagues, I generally change the role of the best reliever at each minor league level from MR to closer. I assume this could be done for each team.

Comedian2004 · 07-05-2005, 09:05 PM

I am looking at the International League stats:

The save leader has 17 saves in 34 games.

In fact, the top 10 in saves have twice or three or more times games then saves.

But, that does tell you that the guy is being groomed as a save guy.

Has much research been done into making a guy a 'closer' when he was RP or starter?

jarmenia · 07-05-2005, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Comedian2004

I am looking at the International League stats:

The save leader has 17 saves in 34 games.

In fact, the top 10 in saves have twice or three or more times games then saves.

But, that does tell you that the guy is being groomed as a save guy.

Has much research been done into making a guy a 'closer' when he was RP or starter?

I haven't done any research but when I think of all the great closers, I can't think of a single one comming up as a closer. Eckersly, Smith, Dibble, Franco... and more modern, Izzringhousen (SP?), Smoltz, Kolb. None came to the majors as closers.

I do however see your point. They are getting the saves in the minors, but when they come to the majors, it shouldn't be as a closer IHMO, but as a MR that will be converted to a closer. Now, the big question is, will the AI convert a good MR to a Closer?

smeyers003 · 07-05-2005, 09:19 PM

It's becoming more common now with colleges putting more importance in the closer role, look at a guy like Huston Street.

jarmenia · 07-05-2005, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smeyers003

It's becoming more common now with colleges putting more importance in the closer role, look at a guy like Huston Street.

Maybe version 7 then? The engine is what, 6+ years old?

Comedian2004 · 07-05-2005, 10:17 PM

Actually, it is a year old. When they released this version, it was pushed as REWRITTEN FROM THE GROUND UP.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jarmenia

Maybe version 7 then? The engine is what, 6+ years old?

Cardinal Rule · 07-05-2005, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smeyers003

It's becoming more common now with colleges putting more importance in the closer role, look at a guy like Huston Street.

Yep - I think up until a few years ago there weren't many guys that were groomed to be closers. Matt Anderson was tabbed early in his pro career to be the closer of the future for the Tigers, and now there's Huston Street. But many of the successful closers in recent history have been starters to begin their career - iirc Urbina and Wetteland were both starters to begin.

07-05-2005, 06:01 PM	#1
Comedian2004 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: In a house in Saint Cloud, Florida. Posts: 7,085	Minors does not use closers How come the minor league does not use the closer role? Look at a computer controlled team under MINOR LEAGUE STAFF and you will see no person set for the closer role. In fact, generally you see only one closer per team. A team may have 200 catchers in their system, but just 1, maybe 2 closers. That is in the majors and minors. Could this be why the closer role seems so messed up? __________________ Like BLUES? Visit www.smokestacklightnin.com, you will LOVE it! New show every Monday!! New Blues HOF![/COLOR][/FONT]

07-05-2005, 09:01 PM	#5
Dagrims Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 3,829	In my solo leagues, I generally change the role of the best reliever at each minor league level from MR to closer. I assume this could be done for each team. __________________ "Read books, get brain."

07-05-2005, 09:05 PM	#6
Comedian2004 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: In a house in Saint Cloud, Florida. Posts: 7,085	I am looking at the International League stats: The save leader has 17 saves in 34 games. In fact, the top 10 in saves have twice or three or more times games then saves. But, that does tell you that the guy is being groomed as a save guy. Has much research been done into making a guy a 'closer' when he was RP or starter? __________________ Like BLUES? Visit www.smokestacklightnin.com, you will LOVE it! New show every Monday!! New Blues HOF![/COLOR][/FONT]

07-05-2005, 08:02 PM	#2
DougWyatt All Star Starter Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,117	I've noticed this, but I never minded. I would prefer my top relief pitcher to go into a higher innning MR role to gain more experience. Works best IMO for developement. -- Well, unless of course him being a minor league closer will help increase his "clutch" rating

07-05-2005, 09:19 PM	#8
smeyers003 Major Leagues Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 416	It's becoming more common now with colleges putting more importance in the closer role, look at a guy like Huston Street.