Seattle Mariners next great closer is already in the organization

A Seattle Mariners trip to the World Series in 2021 is highly unlikely. However, they could be AL West contenders if not champions. First, the M’s have a few items they need to take care of before any title talk starts.

One of the biggest holes the Seattle Mariners must fill is a steady closer. It’s been a while since the M’s could turn a lead over to their closer and put the ninth inning on autopilot. Seattle hasn’t had that type of pitcher since they traded away Edwin “Sugar” Diaz before the 2019 season. The way the deal has worked out so far, no Seattle Mariners fan will be upset about it, provided Jarred Kelenic pans out the way everyone thinks he’s capable of doing.

Last year, the M’s converted a respectable 65 percent of save opportunities. Due to injuries and trades, they had a revolving door of late-inning pitchers. Matt Magill finished 2019 as the team’s closer. He was expected to reclaim the role last year, but Camas, Washington native Taylor Williams, beat him out in July camp. By the time Williams was traded, Magill developed arm problems and couldn’t get the job back. That left manager Scott Servais with a “closer by committee.” It’s not a situation they want to repeat in 2021.

So, how does Emerald City’s favorite baseball team rectify this issue?

Top-notch closers are like dominant starting pitchers. They don’t grow on trees or hit the free agent market very often. When those types of pitchers do hit the open market, they tend to be very expensive.

There are options, and they start at home. Fortunately, the Seattle Mariners have two possibilities on their roster Yohan Ramirez and Andres Munoz.

Next: Page 2 – Trial by Fire

The Incumbent

It’s hard to call the former Rule 5 pickup as the incumbent with only 20.1 career innings pitched, but Yohan Ramirez finished 2020 as the co-closer. Saying he did an admirable job wouldn’t be fair to the 25-year-old rookie. Ramirez was perfect in three save opportunities. He also racked up 26 strikeouts finishing the year with a 2.63 ERA and 1.40 WHIP.

Ramirez’s box scores never really jumped off the page. On a team full of questionable, at best, relief pitching, he didn’t give fans (or coaches) anything more to stress about in the ninth inning.

Here’s a quick overview on Ramirez.

• Mid 90’s fastball that tops out in the 97-98 mph range, with good movement.
• Uses hard slider as change pace pitch
• The changeup is still a “work in progress.”
• Issues with throwing strikes consistently. Walked 20 and hit four batters.

The 6-4 righty has the tools to be a top-notch closer. Only time will tell if he can convert his raw tools into a successful career. More seasoning will be helpful, but he’s not going back to the minors to get it. Ramirez gets to continue his on-the-job training next year in Seattle.

It wouldn’t be a surprise if Ramirez hit a rough patch in 2021, where Servais removes Ramirez from late-inning situations for a while. Then toward the end of the year, he matures physically and mentally to the point where he closes games again.

Next: Page 3 – On the Road Back

The New Comer

At the trade deadline, Mariners GM Jerry Dipoto made a mega-trade with San Diego. Seattle sent Austin Nola, Austin Adams, and Dan Altavilla to the Padres for Taylor Trammell, Ty France, Luis Torrens, and Andres Munoz. It was a win-win in 2020, but the best part for the M’s is yet to come.

Munoz throws hard, triple-digit hard. Unfortunately, it also took a toll on his elbow. Last March, Munoz had Tommy John Surgery to repair the damage. It usually takes a pitcher 12-18 months to get back on the job after the operation. Additionally, the first season back is generally a little rough. Munoz will get the opportunity to work out the kinks in the minors. He’ll likely get a chance or to tho pitch for the M’s late next season. By 2022, watch out American League.

Here is a quick overview on Munoz.

• At 15, his fastball was up to 88-89 mph.
• The heater was clocked at 104mph in Double-A.
• Throws a power slider in the mid to high 80’s.
• Good movement on sinker but rarely uses it.

If Ramirez has the goods to be a closer, Munoz has much greater goods. The fireballer came on to my radar in 2018. Pitchers who throw 100+ miles-per-hour get noticed. Since the trade, I’ve been telling everyone that Munoz is the Seattle Mariners closer of the future.

Related Story: An outside the box option as Mariners closer

Do you think the Seattle Mariners already have their next closer? Let us know in the comments section below or on social media.

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