The Pittsburgh Pirates had a disappointing 2016 season. As the off-season begins, it is time to grade out the club. Today we look at Felipe Rivero, acquired at the trade deadline, who has the stuff to be a future closer.
When the Pirates traded away Mark Melancon to the Nationals last summer, the return originally seemed underwhelming. They got back some low-ranking prospect no Pirates’ fan had ever heard of (Taylor Hearn) and some reliever with an ERA above four. But as the season went on, people came to terms with Melancon’s departure, and began to be intrigued with what that reliever brought to the table.
Felipe Rivero had a better season as a Pirate than he was having as a National. His ERA improved, and ultimately results are what matter the most. He would have had even better numbers were it not for one September 25th outing in which he allowed five earned runs in just one-third of an inning. Rivero showed flashes of brilliance, but he also let too many runners reach base via the walk. But that brilliance, and the fact that he’s under control through the 2021 season, means we should have hope for Rivero’s future. After all, bullpen guys with great stuff and control issues are exactly the type of pitchers that Ray Searage and company have been able to find the best in.
Hot start with Bucs
Rivero started out shot out of a cannon when he became a Pirate. He didn’t allowed a single earned run in his first nine appearances with the team, and allowed just one earned run in his first 17 appearances. Was Rivero pitching above his head? Potentially; he did issues 12 walks and allow nine hits and three unearned runs in those 17 appearances. But for a bullpen that was struggling for the first half of the season, Rivero was a breath of fresh air, and helped lessen to blow of trading away Melancon.
Rivero did eventually hit his low points in September, but one outing in which he allowed five runs stood out above the rest. Ultimately Rivero improved as a Pirates, although his WHIP did jump up to 1.50 from 1.17 with the Nats. Maybe Rivero is just unfairly the victim of the occasional awful outing. His control issues will certainly be one of the focuses of Ray Searage this off-season, and we should all look forward to what Rivero will bring to the table next year.
Future closer?
When Melancon was traded for Rivero, the Pirates’ closer situation went into flux. Tony Watson was naturally moved into that role, but he was having an off year, and his sub-par season was amplified as a closer. After pitching to a 0.79 ERA in July, Watson had a 2.84 ERA in August, then a 5.06 ERA in September. That 2.84 ERA was a jump but still seems good, right? Not so much for a closer. Watson is a great reliever, and has been one of the best bullpen men in all of baseball over the past few seasons, but he might not have the stuff to be a closer.
Melancon had that wicked cutter. Typically closers have either one fantastic pitch, or have a great fastball. Rivero has that fastball and can hit 97 mph. I wanted Rivero to take over for Watson as closer last season, but the Pirates didn’t seem too keen on that. Hopefully a team that prides itself analytics and seeing trends before other teams decides to not be stubborn and give Rivero a shot at closer next season.
Conclusion and Final Grade
Rivero did improve as a Pirate over his time as a National, but he still has a ways to go. He needs to try to eliminate the awful appearance that seems to plague him from time to time, and he needs to cut down on his walks. But he has always been a great strikeout pitcher, and if he gets better control, he could be a deadly pitcher next season. There’s still a lot to find out with Rivero, but I gave him a B for 2016.
What Grade would you give Felipe Rivero?
Agree with our grade? Disagree? Cast your vote below to let your voice be heard!
Our grade drops at noon, but what grade would YOU give Felipe Rivero for his work with the #Pirates in 2016?
— Pirates Breakdown (@pbcbreakdown) November 17, 2016
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