Thus was born the new closer to Venezuela Eduardo Sanchez follows in the footsteps of Ugueth Urbina and "Kid" Rodriguez. The setup of San Luis is a true reflection of what they did the two best relievers in the country in its infancy
Ugueth Urbina blew the final performance of his career as a starter, 21 August 1996. Was that what convinced missing Montreal Expos was the other way around with him?
One day the Mirandino beaten out of the hill, with 8 hits, 6 runs and 2 homers against, as only 2.1 innings, was born one of the most effective relievers in baseball in Latin America. Because
Canadians decided to change the role of Urbina, then a young prodigy of 22 years of age, and make the setup of Mélido Rojas, closer to the ninth.
The right of the Valles del Tuy was already mourning the Rojas post a year later, such was his performance as a firebreak.
Francisco Rodriguez also began as a whirlwind of travel as a firefighter in the big tent. After an injury-plagued career as a starter in the minors, was sent to the bullpen in 2002 and as early as September and let go of balls in the majors.
The setup Caracas became the Anaheim Angels the same postseason and two years after the seat was left with Troy Percival as the pitcher of the last inning in the California franchise.
Eduardo Sanchez also broke without permission. Like their predecessors in their own currencies, has taken advantage of circumstances to sneak as one of the relievers used by the St. Louis Cardinals.
Urbina had three holds and a victory in those first seven shows that changed her destiny as a pitcher. Rodriguez scored a pair of wins, both in the division series against the Yankees and New York, no less. Sanchez came to the day yesterday with three holds, a rescue and a game won.
Most notable is the hallmark of each. The many strikeouts. The few tickets. The few hits against.
Urbina began guillotined rate 12.08 per 9 innings and a list of 17 / 1 between strikeouts and walks.
Rodriguez made his way with an average of 16.75 strikeouts per 9 events and a list of 9 / 1 between chocolate and walks.
Sanchez did an average of 15.3 per 9 sentenced episodes and a ratio of 17 / 2 between strikeouts and transfers.
Jorge Julio Tapia, Kelvim Escobar, Luis Mercedes Sánchez and to a lesser extent, Rafael Betancourt and Juan Carlos Gutiérrez officially have held the role of closer in the majors. But none had the success of Urbina and Rodriguez, who added more than 510 saves between the two.
Sánchez
The time has not yet reached. But like those, is on the right track to become the new lock Venezuela.
His first seven outings
Expos in August 1996 decided to convert a short reliever Ugueth Urbina, after testing as a starter. He had 24 appearances when he premiered role, and he did so well that no longer turn back.
This is the contrast between the 1996 Urbina, Francisco Rodriguez in 2002 and Eduardo Sanchez in 2011, comparing his first seven performances as a setup for Montreal, Anaheim and San Luis.
Pitcher IP ... ... H. ... K. .. .. BB WHIP EFE ... Urbina ..... 3 ..... 12.2 ... 1 ... 17 ... 2.13 0.32 .....
Rodriguez .. 5 ..... 9.2 ... 2 .. ... ..... 0.72 0.18 1.86 10.0
Sanchez .. ... 5 ..... 2 ... 17 ... 1.80 0.70 .....
The data
Manager Tony La Russa did not rule out Eduardo Sanchez can take over the position of latch 2012, when the struggling Ryan Franklin does not claim his throne
More than straight
Ugueth Urbina, Francisco Rodriguez and Eduardo Sanchez have share the power of the line.
"Ugie" throw it in 2002 to an average of 92.2 miles per hour, according
Fangraphs, and although no records earlier, the Scouts claimed that in 1996 was around 95 MPH.
The "Kid" averaged 94 between 2002 and 2003, and Sanchez shows an average speed of 94.1.
All three share the slider.
Rodriguez, who also threw curve, no change added until later. Urbina
rested on a combination straight, slider and change.
Sanchez is learning curve and improves the speed change.
Posted in El Nacional, on Wednesday, May 4, 2011.
