Jordan Walden

by angelsownredsux on Apr 6, 2011 12:34 AM EDT

Mike Sciosia officially named Jordan Walden as the Angels' closer. Here's the link. This was an easy decision in my opinion as Fernando Rodney seems incapable of throwing strikes and the rest of the bullpen have pitched poorly thus far. In his first appearance as the closer, Walden pitched a perfect inning with the final out recorded as a punchout. So far this season Walden has pitched 3.1 innings without allowing a run and he has recorded six Ks to one BB. What does the community think of Walden? Do you think we will see Rodney as the closer again this season?

Poll

Will Fernando Rodney pitch again as the Angels' closer?

No, Walden is here to stay

150 votes

Yes, Walden is bound to falter

32 votes

Other (share in comments)

5 votes

187 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

He looked good against the Rays.

One pitch he put right over the middle and Johnson ripped it, but right to Hunter who was playing deep.

by mr. maniac on Apr 6, 2011 8:19 AM EDT reply actions

Other.

You’re really asking two different questions.

1. Is Rodney done as the Angels closer? Yes.
2. Is Walden going to be the closer for the rest of the year? I have no idea, but certainly don’t feel comfortable giving a yes to that question. I do think he’s the best option, but this will have to play out over the next few months.

by benzalman on Apr 6, 2011 10:56 AM EDT reply actions

+1

by dbreer23 on Apr 6, 2011 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions

It's his to lose

They don’t have any other viable alternatives at this point.

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by Sethy on Apr 6, 2011 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions

I could certainly see Jepsen closing games.

Averaged a 96 mph fastball the last two years, with a FIP under 3.00.

by PissedMick on Apr 6, 2011 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions

I'd love it

But he can’t prove himself at all at this point.

http://babiesboozeandboobs.wordpress.com/

by Sethy on Apr 6, 2011 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Huh?

Don’t see any reason why he couldn’t, unless you think the first two games in April mean anything significant.

by PissedMick on Apr 6, 2011 9:37 PM EDT up reply actions

2010

He did nothing to prove that he could in 2010. I’m an Angels fan, so I’d love for him to escalate his game, but up to this point, he hasn’t done anything in the majors that indicates he’s a future closer.

http://babiesboozeandboobs.wordpress.com/

by Sethy on Apr 7, 2011 12:51 AM EDT up reply actions

+1

never showed the ability to dominate the opponent

go long with extenze...i do

by angelsownredsux on Apr 7, 2011 2:12 AM EDT up reply actions

You might've missed the part about the career 3.12 FIP.

by PissedMick on Apr 7, 2011 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Fip Dip

He still hasn’t exhibited the ability to be a good set-up man, let alone a closer.

http://babiesboozeandboobs.wordpress.com/

by Sethy on Apr 8, 2011 10:32 AM EDT up reply actions

"despite the evidence that he's pitched very well his entire career, he still hasn't shown the ability to pitch very well"

That’s what passes for logic in Angelsland.

by PissedMick on Apr 10, 2011 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions

FIPs is more of a predictor of future success

And less of a measure of past.

by pedrophile on Apr 11, 2011 9:20 AM EDT up reply actions

That depends on how you want to define "success"

If success = ERA to you, than FIP isn’t as good a measure of success as, say, ERA. In fact, you can just stick with that.

If you want to measure success as “a pitcher doing well in the areas he has significant control over”, then it’s silly to say FIP isn’t a good measure of past success.

by PissedMick on Apr 11, 2011 6:07 PM EDT up reply actions

I was going by point 2 under things to remember

http://www.fangraphs.com/library/index.php/pitching/fip/

Yeah, era is not the best. Defense and park factors are ignored. But FIP has some problems as well. Jepsen underperformed his FIP two years in a row, another year of that and I would believe more in the era than the fip.

IMO the park factors and D should have helped. Was his luck that bad? I think it’s more likely another factor, or sample size.

Ps: why do you need the attitude? You are smart and usually have a very valid point. But you seem to antagonize instead of letting the point stand on it’s own.

by pedrophile on Apr 11, 2011 9:03 PM EDT up reply actions

+ 1/2

I agree there are no viable alternatives but this is Mike Scioscia we’re talking about. I just don’t think we can predict with confidence what he’s going to do.

by FI2 on Apr 6, 2011 5:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Takahashi

He was decent closing for the Mets last year after Frankie went down.

by Fanon on Apr 7, 2011 6:14 PM EDT up reply actions

he looked great

i wouldn’t be shocked to see downs get some saves when he returns though. especially against tough lefty match-ups. they still have takahashi for early lefty match-ups.

by at022482 on Apr 6, 2011 12:37 PM EDT reply actions

it'll probably take him some time to adjust, but he will remain closer

"Fantasy, reality, science Fiction. Which is which? Who can tell?"

by feslenraster on Apr 6, 2011 1:48 PM EDT reply actions

I expect Walden, Downs and Rodney will all get stints as the closer this season

Quite possibly others as well. If Sciosia were commited to Walden as closer and were willing to stick with him through the inevitable growing pains, then he would have named him closer from day one. Walden likely won’t have an exceptionally long leash and some blown saves will probably get him relegated to setup duty and then it’s the next guy’s turn.

You may know me as NYRoyal.

by Scott McKinney on Apr 6, 2011 2:12 PM EDT reply actions