Fine, I’ll admit it. I have done my fair share of bad mouthing Trevor Rosenthal. I agreed (agreed, but tried to never join in) with the smack talk. I rolled my eyes, heaved huge sighs, and got up and left rooms when he would come into a close game. I would blame him for losses, use nicknames that weren’t so nice that rhymed with Rosenthal, the whole shebang. So…here is my mea culpa. I’m sorry, Mr. Rosenthal. I’m sorry for ever doubting you and thinking that you couldn’t get the closing job done. I’m sorry for cursing you in my head. I was wrong.
So, what exactly makes a girl who is never (admittedly) wrong, say that she is? I’ll tell you. This guy…he’s making a name for himself. He’s doing good things. Coming out in the closing roll and making Cardinal Nation proud.
When getting ready to type up this article, I did some investigating into Trevor’s past stats. Probably the most noteworthy differences come in the ERA category. Rosenthal came up from the minors in 2012. ERA in 2012: 2.78. ERA in 2013: 2.63. ERA in 2014: 3.20. ERA so far in 2015: 0.52. What the what?! Yeah, you heard that right, he has decreased his largest ERA in 2014 by a little more than two and a half runs. That’s huge. Now, don’t get all “but there’s a lot of season left” on me. I’m aware. But, we are closing in on the All-Star Break, and that number is pretty darn good.
So far this season, Trevor has 23 saves, in 24 save opportunities. He is second, yes SECOND (well, tied for second), in the NL in saves. Mark Melancon of the Pirates and Drew Storen have 24 and 23 saves respectively. BUT, (and that’s a big but) these guys can’t touch his ERA. Melancon’s is 1.72, while Storen is sitting at 2.10. Just out of curiosity, I looked at the save leader for the AL, and that would be Glenn Perkins of Minnesota, who has 24 saves and a 1.44 ERA. So, I guess when you look at it, Rosenthal is blowing away his competition when it comes to ERA, and is just one behind the save leaders in both leagues. Are you impressed? You should be.
Not to downplay the ERA from this season (which I may actually be in love with), but looking at his overall season so far, this is what the numbers look like: Rosie has pitched in 33 games, totaling 34.1 innings. He has allowed 22 hits, 2 runs (both earned), and only one home run. His strikeout to walk ratio? 37:11.
So, moral of the story? Maybe we can all get on Trevor’s side. The closing duties have officially been earned.
As always…Go Cards!
Photo: wcpo.com
