Mason Miller allowed a hit and recorded two strikeouts in his sixth appearance this spring. By my count, he threw 15 pitches (11 strikes – 73.3 Strike%) and generated five whiffs (33.3 SwStr%). He has a 0.67 WHIP with eight strikeouts against one walk (31.9 K-BB%) through six innings. Per the broadcast, he was hitting 102 miles per hour on the stadium radar. He’s ready for Opening Day next week.
In this post by Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Derek Shelton would not commit to David Bednar being the closer at this point of spring training. Despite the game results, He acknowledged his reliever threw the ball well on Saturday, as covered in our Monkey Bytes yesterday. Still, it’s something fantasy players must weigh when targeting the “Renegade” in drafts or auctions.
As intimated in our Top 40 Closers notes, Anne Rogers shared how the Royals may handle save situations in 2025 in this column for MLB.com:
Closer Monkey Emails for 2025
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Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Sunday’s spring and exhibition slate.
Closer CliffsNotes
American League
Detroit Tigers
- Entering at the top of the fifth, Will Vest allowed two hits, an earned run, and a walk on 21 pitches (12 strikes – 57.1 Strike%) with three whiffs (14.3 SwStr%).
- John Brebbia tossed a scoreless sixth, walking and striking out one.
- Tyler Holton navigated around two hits and recorded a strikeout in the seventh. He threw 12 pitches (75 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (16.7 SwStr%). He has a 1.29 WHIP with four strikeouts in 4.2 innings.
- Jason Foley retired the side at the top of the ninth on 11 pitches (72.7 Strike%) while producing three whiffs (27.3 SwStr%). He’s posted a 1.50 WHIP with eight strikeouts over 5.1 innings.
Projected Hierarchy: *Beau Brieske | *Jason Foley | *Tyler Holton
*= closer-by-committee
Kansas City Royals
- Lucas Erceg tossed a scoreless sixth, giving up a hit and striking out three. He threw 23 pitches (13 strikes – 56.5 Strike%) and produced seven whiffs (30.4 SwStr%). He has a 2.00 WHIP with nine strikeouts versus four walks (14.3 K-BB%) over seven innings.
Projected Hierarchy: Carlos Estévez | Lucas Erceg | Hunter Harvey
Minnesota Twins
- Working a clean top of the eighth, Griffin Jax allowed a hit and recorded three strikeouts. He threw 15 pitches (80 Strike%) and produced five whiffs (33.3 SwStr%). He has a 1.00 WHIP with seven strikeouts (46.7 K%) through four innings.
Projected Hierarchy: Jhoan Durán | Griffin Jax | Cole Sands
Seattle Mariners
- Andrés Muñoz notched his first hold with a scoreless seventh, walking one on 15 pitches (60 Strike%) with two whiffs (13.3 SwStr%). He’s posted a 1.20 WHIP with five strikeouts against two walks (13.6 K-BB%) in five innings.
Projected Hierarchy: Andrés Muñoz | Gregory Santos | Collin Snider
Tampa Bay Rays
- In a split-squad game against the Yankees, Edwin Uceta served up two solo home runs and recorded a strikeout in two-thirds of the fourth, resulting in his first blown save. After seven games this spring, he has a 1.65 WHIP with seven strikeouts versus three walks (12.9 K-BB%) over 6.2 innings.
- Garrett Cleavinger retired the side in the seventh. He’s posted a 0.56 WHIP with four strikeouts in 5.1 innings.
Projected HIerarchy: Pete Fairbanks | Edwin Uceta | Garrett Cleavinger
National League
Arizona Diamondbacks
- Amid a camp competition for the closer role, Kevin Ginkel fired a clean bottom of the sixth and recorded two strikeouts for his fourth hold. He threw 12 pitches (7 strikes – 58.3 Strike%) and generated five whiffs (41.7 SwStr%). He’s posted a 0.56 WHIP with seven strikeouts against one walk (35.3 K-BB%) in 5.1 innings.
Projected Hierarchy: *Justin Martinez | *A.J. Puk | *Kevin Ginkel
*= closer competition in camp
Colorado Rockies
- Battling for the closer role, Seth Halvorsen tossed a scoreless top of the ninth while issuing one walk. He threw 23 pitches (14 strikes – 60.9 Strike%) and induced three whiffs (13 SwStr%). He’s struggled with his command (61.6 Strike%) this spring, resulting in a 1.95 WHIP with five strikeouts versus five walks in 6.2 innings.
Projected Hierarchy: *Victor Vodnik | *Tyler Kinley | *Seth Halvorsen
*= closer competition in camp
Miami Marlins
- Summoned at the top of the sixth, Jesús Tinoco logged 1.2 scoreless frames, allowing a hit and striking out one. He threw 25 pitches (64 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (8 SwStr%). He has a 1.77 WHIP with six strikeouts versus five walks (2.9 K-BB%) through 7.1 innings.
Projected Hierarchy: *Calvin Faucher | *Jesús Tinoco | *Anthony Bender
*= closer competition in camp
Washington Nationals
- Making his second spring appearance, Kyle Finnegan allowed three hits, including a solo home run, and two earned runs at the top of the sixth.
Projected Hierarchy: Kyle Finnegan | Jorge López | Jose A. Ferrer
Thanks for being a part of the Closer Monkey community. Stay safe, and be well.
Statistical Credits: