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Mariners Season Preview: Steve Cishek
The Fernando Rodney Experience has left town, and the Seattle Mariners are hoping for better results from their 9th inning man in 2016.
Do we all remember the train wreck that was Fernando Rodney in 2015? The obnoxious arrow slinging right-hander was chased out of town after blowing numerous saves and showing a general lack of care. Thankfully, the Fernando Rodney Experience is now the San Diego Padres’ problem, and the Seattle Mariners have a new closer in 2016.
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The Mariners signed Steve Cishek to a two year deal worth $10 million dollars this offseason. Originally selected in the 5th round of the 2007 draft, Cishek has spent 6 seasons in the big leagues. He has yet to make an All-Star appearance, but he has been one of the better relievers in baseball throughout his career.
The 6’6/215 pound right-hander split the 2015 season between the Miami Marlins and the St. Louis Cardinals. It was a down year for Cishek, as he posted a 3.58 ERA and tallied just 4 saves. Despite his dip in production last season, there is still plenty for Mariners’ fans to be excited about.
The Good
The 29-year-old has a solid track record as a closer in the big leagues. He served as the Marlins’ stopper for three seasons, recording 88 saves and registering a paltry 2.72 ERA across 204 appearances. Cishek also had an impressive 3.14 strikeout to walk ratio over the course of 198.2 innings pitched from 2012 to 2014.
Cishek’s best season came in 2013 with the Fish. He went 4-6 with a 2.33 ERA in 69 appearances. Cishek tallied 34 saves, and blew just 2 saves all season. He struck out 74 and issued 22 free passes in 69.2 innings pitched. He led the National League with 62 games finished. Cishek also limited the opposition to just 1.077 walks/hits per inning, which represents a career low.
The Falmouth, MA product employs a three pitch arsenal. Cishek leans heavily on a low 90’s fastball, using it over 57% of the time in 2015. His slider is filthy, and it qualifies as his out pitch. Cishek used his breaking ball 41.2% of the time last season. He also has a decent changeup, but he rarely throws it.
The Bad
2015 was by the worst season of Cishek’s career. The Marlins demoted him from the closer role after he blew 4 saves in his first 13 appearances. Cichek was then shipped to the St. Louis Cardinals at the trade deadline.
The Carson-Newman College alum posted a 1.78 strikeout to walk ratio across 55.1 innings pitched in 2015. Cishek also allowed 1.482 walks/hits per inning. There was an alarming drop-off in his strikeouts per 9 innings. In 2014, he fanned 11.6 hitters per 9 innings, but that number fell to 7.8 in last season.
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Perhaps some of Cishek’s issues can be blamed on his decreasing velocity. In 2015, his fastball averaged 91.7 mph. Last year that number dropped to 90.8 mph. Cishek’s nasty slider also dipped from 81.5 mph in 2015 to 80.5 mph last season.
The Future
Baseball Reference is not overly optimistic about Cishek in 2016. They believe he will go 3-5 with a 3.51 ERA and just 13 saves across 59 innings. Conversely, the experts over at FanGraphs are confident Cishek will rebound with the Marines this year. They predict he will go 3-3 with a 3.85 ERA and 29 saves.
Next: Mariners Roundtable: Fresh Faces Add Intrigue to Cactus League Action
It will be interesting to see which Steve Cishek shows up with the Mariners in 2016. Will he be the guy who dominated the National League from 2012 to 2014, or will be the guy who was just average last season? Only time will tell, but we will get our first look at the M’s new closer next week when the Cactus League begins.