J.P. Howell is a Bad Dude

by R.J. Anderson on Apr 24, 2009 1:38 PM EDT

Swinging strike rates this season:

Jonathan Papelbon 11.0%

David Aardsma 10.6%

J.P. Howell 10.5%

Joakim Soria 9.2%

Brandon Morrow 8.2%

Average fastball velocity this season:

Jonathan Papelbon 94.5

David Aardsma 93.3

J.P. Howell 84.5

Joakim Soria 90.6

Brandon Morrow 96.5

The difference thus far between Papelbon's blazing fastball and Howell's foggy ‘fastball' is an extra half of a swing over 100 pitches. That adds up to about five swings per season. Yeah, there's a difference there, but not much. Howell doesn't profile like your typical closer, but that doesn't matter. He can get both hands out consistently and generates enough hacks that the velocity is pretty irrelevant.

Howell has the hand and the stuff. There's really no reason to wonder why he's the closest thing to a DRB approved closer.

---

Data from StatCorner and FanGraphs

Tweet Comment 8 comments | 3 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

wrrreck'd

so. want. JP as the closer.

by daveh33 on Apr 24, 2009 2:08 PM EDT reply actions

Sold.

1.29 BB/9 as well. Can’t stand walking people in the 9th followed by the sight of a pseudo-Nando emerging from the dugout.

Balfour- Best used in high lverage situations. Runners on base, particulary 3rd with less than 2 outs. Thats when he breaks speed guns. Until he has last year’s control back, I’d rather not see him with the bases juiced.

Middle Relief- Nelson – Loving the Vulcan and Cormier

LOOGY – Shouse Lefties 1-8 so far with a weak single.

Double Play Inducer- Shouse or Cormier

Low Leverage Spots – Wheeler – hes a monster in these situations

Nick Swisher mop up duty- Troy

by FreeZorilla on Apr 24, 2009 2:17 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

You gotta love relievers who are monsters in low leverage situations.

Backhanded compliment of the year.

by Suttree on Apr 24, 2009 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Wasn't intended to be subtle one

by FreeZorilla on Apr 24, 2009 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions

I like this analysis. Rec'd.

by plasticman on Apr 24, 2009 5:00 PM EDT up reply actions

For somebody who averages a 96.5-mph fastball

We sure got a lot of lumber on the ball against him.

Too bad it didn’t really do anything.

AC/DC + Tampa Bay Rays = Big Balls on a Budget

by Orlando Rays on Apr 24, 2009 4:09 PM EDT reply actions

Most importantly, he is gritty as all get out.

And his poise/love of snacks will intimidate the hell out of batters.

by plasticman on Apr 24, 2009 4:59 PM EDT reply actions

Totally agree RJ

Trevor Hoffman is proof that you can be an elite closer for several+ years without a blazing fastball. We need Maddon to think outside of the box and give JP an honest chance. Demote Wheeler and Percival to low leverage situations, or cut ties altogether.

The other bullpen members are very useful in their roles. We could have a helluva bullpen by simply switching the closer role to JP and taking the importance away from Wheeler and Percival.

by RayFanNY on Apr 24, 2009 6:16 PM EDT reply actions