RADIO
Blake Treinen 2019 Outlook: Closer Should Continue To Thrive
6 years agoMany should have known that Oakland Athletics closer Blake Treinen would be a breakout player this season. After a woeful start to the 2017 season with the Nationals (5.73 ERA in 37 2/3 innings), his season (career?) turned around when he was traded for Sean Doolittle. Treinen became the closer for Oakland after the trade, saving 13 games and posting a 2.13 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in 38 innings. While Treinen's 2018 season seemingly came out of the blue, he did have a 2.28 ERA in 67 innings in 2016, albeit those were less high leverage innings and his FIP was 3.62. In 2018, Treinen pitched to an 0.78 ERA and 1.82 FIP, striking out 11.2 batters per innings and posting a 0.83 WHIP. His nine wins were a cherry on top of the huge season that included 38 saves and he allowed just 46 hits in 80 1/3 innings. It will be tough for the 30-year-old to duplicate his efforts from 2018 in 2019, but the Athletics were a 97-win team in 2018 and do have a young core that will put him in a position to save a lot of games. He should be considered with Craig Kimbrel as the 2nd closer off of the board leading into next season. Many are getting in early as Treinen has an ADP of 63.
