Mariners News: Edwin Diaz Replaces Steve Cishek as M’s Closer

The Mariners have made a signifiant change at the backend of their bullpen, inserting Edwin Diaz as the new closer.

Few relievers in baseball have been more effective than Edwin Diaz since his big league debut on June 6, and has been rewarded with a chance to serve as the Seattle Mariners’ closer for the foreseeable future. Diaz will replace Steve Cishek, who allowed a go-ahead home run in the ninth inning of last night’s game that proved to be the difference in the 2-1 loss.

Diaz has been downright dominant for the Mariners in very limited action. The flame throwing righty is 0-2 with a 1.80 ERA across his first 24 appearances with Seattle. Diaz has struck out 49 and walked just 7 through 25 innings of work. His 1.280 walks/hits per inning is less than ideal, but it’s hard to deny that Diaz is the M’s best reliever right now.

More from Mariners News

• What Jerry Dipoto’s trades, comments mean for remainder of Mariners offseason
• Mariners Select Chris Clarke in Rule 5 Draft
• Thank you for a Memorable Year, Abraham Toro and Jesse Winker!
• Winter Meetings Wrap Up: Checking where the Mariners stand
• A Farewell to Mitch Haniger as he signs with the San Francisco Giants

The 22-year-old mixes in a triple-digit fastball with a sweeping slider that leads to a ton of swings and misses. Diaz averages 17.6 strikeouts per 9 innings, which is the second highest mark in baseball history for a reliever through his first 25 innings behind Aroldis Chapman. His 7.00 strikeout to walk ratio is simply spectacular.

There is no doubt that the Puerto Rican born hurler has electric stuff, but there is some concern that he isn’t ready for the closer role. Prior to being inserted into the M’s bullpen, Diaz spent 4+ seasons as a starter in the minor-leagues. Diaz was recognized as the Mariners top pitching prospect, but his future was expected to be in the starting rotation.

The course of Diaz’s career changed in May when Jerry Dipoto announced that Diaz would shift to the bullpen with the Mariners class-AA affiliate in Jackson. Through 11 relief appearances with the Generals, Diaz went 1-0 with a 0.66 ERA and 1 save. He registered a 19:2 strikeout to walk ratio through 13.2 innings of work.

More from SoDo Mojo

• How the Mariners could swing a trade for Fernando Tatis Jr
• What Jerry Dipoto’s trades, comments mean for remainder of Mariners offseason
• Mariners Select Chris Clarke in Rule 5 Draft
• Thank you for a Memorable Year, Abraham Toro and Jesse Winker!
• Winter Meetings Wrap Up: Checking where the Mariners stand

Despite his lack of experience, Diaz has a chance to be a remarkable anchor for the Mariners. He has not allowed a run since July 6. Diaz has limited the opposition to a dismal .219 batting average over his last 9 outings, and 70% of his pitches have found the strike zone. He gets ahead of hitters early, and does a great job finishing them off.

The switch at the backend of the bullpen was necessary, as Steve Cishek has been a disaster over the last month. On the season, Cishek is 2-6 with a 3.40 ERA and 25 saves. Those numbers are not terrible, but he has gone 0-2 with a pair of blown saves and a 6.55 ERA since July 1. Cishek’s confidence is waning, and that’s deadly for a closer.

Next: Red Sox Edge M’s in Pitchers Duel

Some might view the decision of implementing Edwin Diaz as the Mariners closer to be risky, but it would have been far riskier to keep using Steve Cishek in the ninth inning. Hopefully we will get a chance to see Diaz light up the radar gun and record his first career save tonight against the Boston Red Sox at Safeco Field.