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Washington Nationals Hand Blake Treinen Closer’s Role

By Ron Juckett

Sep 6, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals relief pitcher Blake Treinen (45) throws to the Atlanta Braves during the sixth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 6, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals relief pitcher Blake Treinen (45) throws to the Atlanta Braves during the sixth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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After a winter of missed opportunities and uncertainty, the Washington Nationals named Blake Treinen as their closer.

The biggest question remaining for the Washington Nationals is answered. Blake Treinen is the closer.

Dusty Baker made the announcement of Treinen’s promotion before Thursday’s Grapefruit League finale against the Boston Red Sox in Fort Myers.

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In a three-way audition with Shawn Kelley and the surprising Koda Glover, Treinen’s triple-digit sinker and ability to induce ground balls earned him the job. As he starts his fourth year with the Nats, turning 29 at the end of June, he has climbed to the top of the relief ladder.

Last year, in 67 innings, Treinen’s ERA dropped from 3.86 in 2015 to 2.28. His WHIP went from 1.389 to 1.224 as his K/9 rate remained stable at 8.5. Although he only pitched five times in major-league games his spring, Baker, pitching coach Mike Maddux and general manager Mike Rizzo liked what they saw.

This was not an easy decision.

Glover pitched five-straight ninth innings at one point. He featured filthy stuff that caused batters to fall over themselves swinging and missing. He is their future closer.

But, Baker prefers veterans and Treinen fits the description. In 4.2 Florida innings, he fanned eight, walked none and scattered a single hit. In two save chances, he converted both. He mixes a regular fastball with a sinker clocked this spring at 102. You cannot make good contact at a pitch that fast moving down and away.

Although Glover’s performance opened up the role for three to audition, the primary competition starting camp was Kelley. Yet, he allowed six hits in 6.1 innings mixed with three walks and six strikeouts. Not awful numbers, but enough to tip the balance.

When you consider Kelley’s history with Tommy John surgery, he was never a true option despite being the only reliever with experience.

How long Treinen stays in the position depends on job performance. He has the stuff and mentality to do the job and do it well. The early part of the schedule is brutal, however, with the St. Louis Cardinals visiting, a trip to Colorado to face the Rockies and games against the rest of the National League East.

It is safe to say Treinen will be battle tested by the time May rolls around.

How he does will mirror where the Nationals are in the standings. Not an easy assignment.

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Good luck, you will need it.

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