When Arodys Vizcaino went down, A.J. Minter stepped up. The lefty, long presumed to eventually take over the ninth-inning role, has earned 12 saves while striking out 60 in 53 innings.
It hasn’t always been easy, but Minter has succeeded in the role. He’s blown two save chances, but managed to cut down on his walks as the season progressed. He’s issued just seven walks in his past 40-1/3 frames, while striking out 49 in that stretch.
The bullpen might be the team’s best asset across the last two weeks. Over a 13-game span entering Monday, the unit owned a 0.94 ERA. They’ve allowed 10 homers since the All-Star break, second fewest in baseball.
Minter’s pitched three times in that span since returning from a back injury. He’s thrown three scoreless innings, striking out three and walking one.
The 25-year-old spoke with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution before Sunday’s game about his season and the upcoming September run:
Q: You've been up here a little over a year now. Is this everything you dreamed it'd be?
A: Can't really complain. Just how blessed I am that the Braves gave me the opportunity to come up last year and get my feet wet. Coming into spring training, my goal was to make the team. Just the way the year has taken off, I couldn't imagine it any way else.
Q: Looking back on the time you missed (Tommy John surgery), did that change your perspective?
A: I've dealt with a lot of injuries in the past, even last year with the groin injury, just for me, hopefully I can stay healthy. That's the biggest thing for me: Taking care of my body and getting in the weight room, the training room, doing what I need to do. That just means staying on the field.
Q: You wanted to be a closer. You’re already one, and for a contender. How much more meaningful is it that the games you’re finishing matter?
A: It's been absolutely surreal. Hard to believe honestly. That being said, Viz is still our closer. For him, I've learned a lot. Really from everyone in our bullpen staff. Just anyone in our bullpen staff can go out and throw the ninth inning. It's just about going out there and helping my team get some wins.
Q: Shane Carle is back. Sam Freeman looks healthy. Luke Jackson's emerged. Seems the bullpen is rounding into form?
A: The biggest thing is that we're all rooting for each other. Someone goes out there and does well, you want to go out there and do just as good. So it's a good competition. We're all supportive. It's an exciting time. This last month is going to be fun. Can't wait to get started.
Q: On that note, how fun is it to have so many other young pitchers around you (Touki Toussaint, Kyle Wright, Bryse Wilson)?
A: (I was familiar with) Lots of these guys. Last year I went through High-A, Double-A, Triple-A and played with those guys. It's awesome just to see us up here together. You know how to win down in the minor leagues, Double-A, Triple-A, we got to play in the postseason there, and that rubs off here. We learned how to win together. I definitely think that's going to help us moving forward.
Q: And with such a young clubhouse, just how important have guys like Freddie Freeman and Nick Markakis been on and off the field?
A: Oh, they're the ones who're striving this team in the right direction. They deserve all the credit, especially with all us young guys. It's good. We need someone to look after, model our game after as professionals. Those guys, they set the example the right way. So all the credit goes to them.
Q: Would Snit (manager Brian Sniker) have your manager of the year vote?
A: Absolutely. … He's been doing a great job this year. I love playing for him. It speaks volumes that he has our back and we have his as well.
