Arizona Diamondbacks Spring Training Roster Report: Relief Pitchers

SETUP MAN

Aug 18, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks catcher

(27) hands the ball to relief pitcher

(40) after Putz earned a save against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the sixteenth inning at PNC Park. The Arizona Diamondbacks won 4-2 in sixteen innings. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Brad Ziegler
J.J. Putz

If you ask a casual Diamondbacks fan about Putz, you’ll probably receive mostly negative responses. Why? Since joining the team, Putz is 6-8 with a 2.45 ERA and 83 saves. His 112 hits allowed in 146.2 innings is beyond good, as are his 164 strikeouts. Still, Putz lost his closing role in 2013 and just continued to go about his business. He’s great insurance if the closing spot should become available and will thrive in a setup role.

Ziegler is a monster against right-handed hitters, with his sidearm style. He allowed righties to hit just .213 against him, with an on-base percentage of .256 and a slugging percentage of .293 in 2013. You can’t ask much more out of a setup man. For the year, Ziegler went 8-1 with a 2.22 ERA and led the league with 78 appearances.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see a platoon of sorts between Ziegler and Putz, as both have their individual strengths. If Hernandez got his confidence back, you could throw him into the equation and the Diamondbacks could be deadly with a lead in the eighth inning.