Player Profile: Drew Steckenrider

Player Profile: Drew Steckenrider

This is the first player profile that I’ve done for the Marlins’ bullpen. I figured if this was the first one I’ve done, why not start with the last guy who will throw, the closer. Drew Steckenrider is listed as the Marlins’ closer on their active roster. This is slightly odd because he has just 6 career saves.

2018 season

The 2018 season was Steckenrider’s first full season in the majors. He finished with a record of 4-4 and an ERA of 3.90 in 71 games and 64.2 innings. Steckenrider had 74 strikeouts and 27 walks in those 64.2 innings.

If you’ve ever watched this guy pitch, you know he has the stuff to be a closer. However, the problem becomes his walks. For a reliever, especially a closer, he cannot walk batters. The more batters on base, the higher the chances of blowing the game.

#Marlins Drew Steckenrider since May 20:

19.2 IP
74 BF
10 H
0 ER
8 BB
18 K
.152 BAA
0.00 ERA#FutureCloser

— Seth Klein (@SethDaSportsMan) July 9, 2018

There is no doubt that Steckenrider has the ability to close games, and in 2019 he will get the chance.

2019 expectations

As I said earlier, Steckenrider is listed as the Marlins’ closer. With just 6 career saves, the question becomes, is he ready? I think so. The measure of Steckenrider’s success will not be the number of saves that he has, but rather his save percentage. I don’t think anyone expects the Marlins to be very competitive in 2019. Thus, we cannot measure Steckenrider based on the number of saves he finishes 2019 with. We have to look at the rate at which he finishes each save opportunity.

How many walks does he have? What is his WHIP? These are the things that will help to paint the picture of the future for Steckenrider and the Marlins’ closer. The 28-year-old has a real opportunity to prove to the entire league that he is a closer. I’m not saying that I want this to happen, but Steckenrider could potentially be a trade piece come July. A team may be looking to add a power arm to their bullpen for a playoff push.

Hey, Drew Steckenrider would make a great closer for the Marlins, don't you th– pic.twitter.com/UV1G34DyVf

— Scott White (@CBSScottWhite) May 11, 2018

Marlins‘ fans should be excited about the future. They should also be excited about Steckenrider. The more innings he throws, the better it seems that he gets. No team is going to want to see Steckenrider run out in the 9th inning.