Closers Of The Future
Well, let me introduce myself before you read my dull words, that
somehow made it into this very-appreciated site. I'm Carlos Rubi, an
eighteen year old high school senior from Merida, Mexico; I've been a
Cubs fanatic since 1994, and will be one until... well, until I stop
caring. Or until I get married. Some of you may know me from the
Parachat; I'm usually there to spend every other game,
classes-permitting I also run a weblog Dusty Says, along with two
other people. Well, then, I shall leave you with the article. Thanks
to TCR for giving me this opportunity...
He has the stuff to be the Cubs' closer of the future!
How many times have we heard that in the past ten years? Try to remember the number. Three, four? Wrong. The closer role is as vital as a bag of carrots; though, in the modern way of playing baseball, it must be a role well defined and set to an individual.
Through the minor leagues, and even in the major leagues, several lethal pitchers with arrow fastballs and knee-buckling breaking stuff have joined the spinning wheel that is the Cubs bullpen. Guys like Myers, Gordon, Alfonseca, Veres, Remlinger all have closed games for the Cubs, but all of those were acquired by trades or free agency.
This story, though, will focus on the guys scouts have labeled as the perennial closers of the future (COTF); none of them, at the time of this article, have been able to succeed at that role.
NOTE: The difference between his projection and future role is that the former is what scouts expected the player to become during his development; future role refers to the player ceiling relative to age/progress/statistics.
Terry Adams
Draft situation: Fourth round, Cubs pick.
The story: Terry Adams was first called a COTF when he started to develop additional breaking stuff to go with his 98 MPH fastball that used to keep hitters out of control. He got to the Major Leagues pretty soon at age 22, becoming a full-job middle reliever by age 23. However, by the next year he was down again in Iowa working on his mechanics, something that the coaches of the time couldn't fix; he ended up with an ERA in the high fours and a terrible peripheral set of numbers. Terry came back in 1998 as a vital piece of the Wild Card Cubs even if his role was nothing more than a set up man and not the closer everyone was expecting. His K/9 rate went through the roof, ending at a nice 9.x for the season. Later, a year to be exact, he was slowed down by injuries and started the season on the DL. He did rebound nicely and ended up saving thirteen games for the 99 Cubs. He was traded, then, to the LA Dodgers for a bucket of paint and bombed there in two seasons as a no-role reliever/starter. The Dodgers got fed up of his never-potential-reach and proceeded to ship him to the Phillies; he, then, played for Toronto and Boston, and landed on the Phillies again. He announced his retirement the night of August 2nd and he's now, at age 32, a former major leaguer, never reaching his potential.
His projection: Swingman, mid-to-late inning reliever
Future role: Watching reality TV show, parenthood, most likely
Where is he now?: Planning his retirement.
Francis Beltran
Draft situation: International free agent signing.
The story: Francis was always overhyped as the savior of the Cubs' bullpen. Born in 1980 and still only 25 years old, he has been more time on the DL than any other of the players listed here (okay, except TJ surgeree Will Ohman) and has never actually pitched a complete season in the Major Leagues. His story goes further than you can imagine; he was a Guillermo Mota and Felix Rodriguez teammate in the Dom. Republic, and looked more developed than those two other players according to scouts. He throws a flaming 98 MPH fastball and a 85 MPH slider, and could well be in the plans of any team willing to deal with his injuries. He was part of the deal that sent Nomar Garciaparra to the Cubs, therefore joining the Expos in late 2004. He pitched a disgusting eleven innings for them, after being shut down with tendinitis. He has been on the DL ever since.
His projection: Set up guy, middle reliever with power.
Future role: His fragility might tend to tweak his stuff and he might never end up a closer, but he's still young enough to be a big part of a bullpen. Remember, he's still only 25. Patience.
Where is he now?: DL.
Kyle Farnsworth
Draft situation: Forty seventh round pick, Cubs.
The story: Oh, Kyle. That Kyle that has made us angry through the years. The most famous of any COTFs, Kyle throws flames in an indescribable 100 MPH fastball. A late draft pick, he exploded into Rookie ball where he posted a great 0.87 ERA in his first professional year. Kyle is a headcase, to be honest. His arm is one of the most valuable assets of any team he arrives to, but in order to control that batter-plunking expert arm, a good mindset must be obtained. Ever since being moved into the set-up role with the Detroit Tigers, he has been able to control his mind and posted a great ERA in the middle of the season months. He, then, won himself a trade to the Atlanta Braves after tackling a Royals' pitcher and became, again, the set-up man for the Braves. He's still valuable as his age shows, but he's always been and always will be a project for the pitching coach in turn.
His projection: Set-up man, power pitcher, capable closer if mindset is obtained.
Future role: Set-up man.
Where is he now?: Atlanta Braves.
Kerry Wood
Draft situation: First round pick, Cubs.
The story: It's well known. A great starter turned into reliever in 2005, at least until his injuries fade away. Most Cubs followers would like to see him try the closer role after his first relieving performances of the year; his fastball and slider combination is pure gasoline for a dominating closer. Wood, though, has denied the rumor about him becoming the Cubs' closer of the future.
His projection: Starter.
Future role: Possibly a closer. Not on the Cubs, though.
Where is he now?: Relieving for the Chicago Cubs.
David Aardsma
Draft situation: First round pick, Giants.
The story: A minor league closer that's only 22, Aardsma came to the Cubs in the LaTroy deal, that also sent Jerome Williams to the team. Aardsma was a piece of the San Francisco future, often referred to as the puzzle piece missing in an aging bullpen; he's being stretched back and forth in AA West Tenn right now, waiting in line to see what his role on the Cubs will be. He's the current COTF.
His projection: Middle reliever, effective, power pitcher-
Future role: Closer, if control somehow develops.
Where is he now?: AA.
Michael Wuertz
Draft situation: Eleventh round, Cubs.
The story: A closer in AAA last year, Wuertz has spent part of the 2005 season in the Major League roster as a middle reliever, and has been rather streaky; he consistently gets hitters out with his great slider, but lacks the fundamental mindset of a closer that is not letting situations blow away. He looks a bit scared on the mound when in pressured situations, and gives up a lot of walks; still, he was part of a COTF campaign by whoever is typing these words and half the Cubs fanatics; though, he started the year fifth in line in the closer royalty.
His projection: AAA closer, middle reliever for a MLB team.
Future role: Set-up man if control finally develops.
Where is he now?: Middle reliever, effective, for the Cubs.
Will Ohman
Draft situation: Eight round pick, Cubs.
The story: A former Pepperdine student, Ohman was named the COTF for the Cubs of the late nineties, when his ability to get righties and lefties on a consistent basis was the word around Cubs scouts everywhere. He had a semi good season in 2004 in Iowa that lead to his promotion in 2005, after he was three years out with Tommy John surgery. He got the closer role in the Winter League in Culiacan, and went 16-for-16 in save opportunities with a great 1.46 ERA, a sign that showed the Cubs that he was ready either for the closer job or a smaller role in the 2005 bullpen. He started the season in AAA but quickly was promoted on the Chad Fox DL placement; he throws a good 90 MPH and has all the signs of becoming a LOOGY in the future.
His projection: LOOGY.
Future role: LOOGY, closer for smaller leagues.
Where is he now?: Reliever, Chicago Cubs.
Scott Chiasson
Draft situation: Fifth round pick, Kansas City.
The story: The less known of the Cubs' COTF, Chiasson is a whole story. This article by The Cubs Chronicle explains it better than I could ever:
Scott Chiasson: remember him? He's the guy the Cubs traded Eric Hinske for; He 'will throw a simulated game Monday. If all goes well, he could pitch in a game Thursday,' reports MLB.com. In 2001, Chiasson looked for all the world like the Cubs future closer, putting up a 1.76 ERA at West Tennessee and coming up to the big leagues for a cup of coffee. A disastrous start to the 2002 season eventually led to Tommy John surgery, however, and Chiasson was out all of 2003. He was non-tendered in December, and so is no longer on the 40-man roster. He stuck with the Cubs, though, and hopefully will find a spot in Iowa's bullpen this year.
He, then, forgot all about the Cubs and joined the Rockies the following spring. I wish him the best.
His projection: Bullpen ace.
Future role: Probably a set-up man, who knows.
Where is he now?: Colorado Rockies minor league system -- surprised?
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