The Reverse Closer: A Next Step in Specializing Pitchers

Tom Wilhelmsen, Seattle Mariners

Tom Wilhelmsen has thrown quite a bit this year, logging 73.1 innings in 50 games, and has been very effective for the Mariners. On a staff led by Fernando Rodney, there are four relievers who have handed off the lead to him more than Wilhelmsen, even though he has a 1.96 ERA and a 3.54 FIP.

He has 22 appearances where he only threw one inning, what would be the ideal task for a reverse closer. Wilhelmsen has a 2.05 ERA, with three of his earned runs coming just one of those appearances. Given that he has been a reliable pitcher with an 8.2 K/9 and a 0.98 WHIP, he provides a promising candidate as a reverse closer.