Bobby Parnell as a closer

[YoungStuna28]

This just isnt true.
His strikeouts have been steadily improving at a significant rate every year and are now over 10k/9IP.

He was pretty crappy in 2009 and made HUGE improvements cutting his ERA and FIP almost in half in 2010.

Even this year his FIP is 3.33, sub 3 SIERA and low 3 tERA.
That isnt bad at all and much better than when he first came up.


he pitched all of 5 innings in 2008..

He's worse than than last year because he is walking 4 per 9 IP. That makes his K rate irrelevant.

His BABIP is high because he throws hard, and misses his spots on a consistent basis which leads to HARD contact which will likely fall in for a hit. That is why he doesn't pitch to his peripherals(FIP, SIERA, tERA, etc)

[NYman15]

He had a good outing today. He does put too many runners on base but he is 5 for 6 so far. Thats pretty good for a 1st time closer.

[acerimusdux]

this is his 1st run at closer. nice to see another overreaction thread. this season is lost, so we are seeing what we have for the future. Parnell is one of those pieces n should improve from his mistakes like this past blown save.

This. Even the high H/9, if it isn't luck, it's inexperience. It will improve, just as it has for Heath Bell and lots of other guys. Parnell at this point is arguably a top 60 reliever in baseball. That's not quite good enough yet for what you want from a closer, but for a young pitcher with his stuff it certainly makes him a reasonable candidate for that role in the future.

Looking at the advanced stats for the last 2 years, relievers with over 30 IP:

xFIP
2010: 8th of 207
2011: 53rd of 178

SIERA
2010: 17th of 207
2011: 63rd of 178

tRA
2010: 48th of 2007
2011: 56th of 178

I realise his ERA hasn't been as good, but it's not awful either, and I think there's a decent case that Parnell going forward could be maybe a top 60 reliever. A decent pen should probably have 2 or 3 guys at least as good, but I still think it's worth giving him a look as a potential future closer.

[ZHAKIDD532]

You have to give him a chance. We've seen him dominate before. I don't see much to lose in just letting close the last month and letting him compete for the spot in Spring Training next year. With experience and confidence, he can be a very good closer in my opinion, and at a very cheap price.

Another thing to remember is Parnell has actually been pretty unlucky this year. His FIP and xFIP are almost a full run lower than his ERA and his BABIP is at .350. Things will get better for him. Again, experience and confidence.

[YoungStuna28]

You have to give him a chance. We've seen him dominate before. I don't see much to lose in just letting close the last month and letting him compete for the spot in Spring Training next year. With experience and confidence, he can be a very good closer in my opinion, and at a very cheap price.

Another thing to remember is Parnell has actually been pretty unlucky this year. His FIP and xFIP are almost a full run lower than his ERA and his BABIP is at .350. Things will get better for him. Again, experience and confidence.

His BABIP is high because he throws a straight 100 MPH fastball with a 90 MPH slider, which means the ball gets hit harder when the batters make contact and that is why his ERA is a run over his FIP and xFIP. His LOB rate is pretty good.

[cambovenzi]

His BABIP is high because he throws a straight 100 MPH fastball with a 90 MPH slider, which means the ball gets hit harder when the batters make contact and that is why his ERA is a run over his FIP and xFIP. His LOB rate is pretty good.

To a degree yes, but also the stats that account for batted ball types have him pitching much better than his ERA.

[YoungStuna28]

This year yes, but last year he was getting battered around with line drives. The reason he had success is because he limited the walks. This year, his walk rate has nearly doubled.

[NYman15]

Yeah, command is a big issue for Parnell. He's need his command of his FB and slider to be successful.

[paletsgomets]

He had a good outing today. He does put too many runners on base but he is 5 for 6 so far. Thats pretty good for a 1st time closer.

Saves are the dumbest stat in baseball, yes he has saved 5 out of 6, but 4 of them games he had a 3 run lead, I would hope any pitcher in baseball would save a game with a 3 run lead, the only game he had a 1 run lead, he lost, so lets see how he does down the stretch with 1 run leads

[fanofclendennon]

Saves are the dumbest stat in baseball, yes he has saved 5 out of 6, but 4 of them games he had a 3 run lead, I would hope any pitcher in baseball would save a game with a 3 run lead, the only game he had a 1 run lead, he lost, so lets see how he does down the stretch with 1 run leads

Thank you Mr. VOR!

[fanofclendennon]

What's your plan B?

Not sure. Maybe a monestary for a year or so?

[fanofclendennon]

this is his 1st run at closer. nice to see another overreaction thread. this season is lost, so we are seeing what we have for the future. Parnell is one of those pieces n should improve from his mistakes like this past blown save.

He's been mediocre since 2009 (nod to Cambo for pointing out he pitched all of 5 innings in 2008) as a set up man. Other than his radar gun readings (see: Matt Lindstrom), what makes you think he'll be any better as a closer?

[NYman15]

I do believe saves are overrated, but he still has technically done his job 5 out 6 times so far.

[Rique]

Mets are a horrible team Parnell should get all the chances in the world to become a starter

[fanofclendennon]

I do believe saves are overrated, but he still has technically done his job 5 out 6 times so far.

the operative word being "technically."