Perhaps because he made his major league debut at age 20, missed most of two seasons for a couple of elbow surgeries and missed half of last season for a drug suspension, it’s easy to forget that Braves closer Arodys Vizcaino is still young.
He’s 25, in what should be the prime of his career, and right now Vizcaino is staking a claim as one of the elite relievers in the major leagues and putting himself in position for All-Star consideration.
But he’s doing it strictly with performance, not comments. The man can reach 100 mph with his fastball, but his big arm isn’t accompanied by any bold statements or any self-promotion.
“I’m grateful to be kind of considered in the same category (with top closers),” he said through a translator. “I really try not to think about it too much, I’m just going out there and focusing on what I need to work on. Every day is a learning experience, so every day I learn something new, and every day get better. It’s great to be considered that way, but I’m just trying to stay focused on what I need to do.”
In his past 30 appearances before Saturday, going back to Sept. 15, Vizcaino had a 0.89 ERA and .177 opponents’ average, with 42 strikeouts, nine walks and one homer allowed in 30 1/3 innings. He converted 11 of 12 saves in that span, including six of seven this season.
Vizcaino ranked third among qualifed National League relievers with 13.06 strikeouts per nine innings through Friday, and his 1.31 ERA in 20 appearances this season was tied for third-base in the league among the NL’s 43 relievers with at least 20 innings pitched.
When a reporter mentioned to Braves manager Brian Snitker that Vizcaino has been pitching about as well as major league closer, Snitker said, “That’s what he looks like to me, too. I mean he’s just confident and that ball jumps out of his hand. He looks like he’s settled into that role. I feel really good when he goes out there, I know that. I love the opportunity to see him out there in the ninth inning.”
As for the All-Star possibility – every team has to have an All-Star representative, and which Brave is more deserving than him? – Vizcaino insisted he hadn’t thought about it.
“I just want to go out there and do a good job,” he said. “Obviously it would be a great honor if they asked me, and I would be excited and jump all over it. But I’m trying not to have that in my mind, I’m just trying to go out there and pitch.”
Since returning in early July from an 80-game suspension for performance-enhancing drugs, Vizcaino had a 1.49 ERA and .204 opponents’ average in 56 appearances through Friday, with 67 strikeouts, 20 walks and two homers allowed in 54 1/3 innings.
“The suspension’s in the past and I really don’t think about it,” he said. “Right now it’s just about staying consistent, staying focused. Forgetting about everything that happened and just being in the moment and just making sure I do my job.”
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