RADIO
Sean Doolittle Looks To Continue Success As Nationals Closer In 2018
7 years agoSean Doolittle came over in a mid-season trade from Oakland and gave the Nationals the solid closer they badly needed. Doolittle has always been good, but kicked it up another notch once he arrived in D.C. Sporting a solid 31.5% K-rate all season long, once arriving in D.C. he gave up the same number of runs (8) and fewer home runs (two as a National versus three as an Athletic) in more innings (30 vs. 21). What’s more, he struck out 31 batters for each team while walking eight batters (one intentionally) as a National, bringing his WHIP to a crisp 0.86. He had a 50% flyball rate, but batters weren't making any hard contact on him. His 20.8% hard contact rate is the lowest of the three kinds of contact. This explains the .242 BABIP against him. So even with proven closers like Ryan Madson and Brandon Kintzler backing him up and ready to take his closer role should he falter, Doolittle is in line for another solid season, especially in leagues that count saves + holds.
