Cincinnati Reds: It’s time for Amir Garrett to transition into the closer

Raisel Iglesias, the Cincinnati Reds closer, struggled last year. If David Bell is looking for a different option, Amir Garrett should get the call.

Amir Garrett has never been one to hide his emotions on the mound. The Cincinnati Reds reliever won the hearts of fans after an exchange with Javier Baez following a strikeout of the shortstop in 2018. The benches cleared, there was a small scuffle and the entire league knew about Garrett after that day. Is it time for Count On AG to ascend to the role of closer?

It didn’t take long for Amir Garrett to become a fan favorite in Cincinnati. The former top prospect made his debut on April 7, 2017 against the St. Louis Cardinals. In 14 starts for the Reds that season, Garrett went 7-9 with a 7.39 ERA.

Garrett found his true home during the following season when he landed in Reds the bullpen. His upper-90’s fastball and wipeout slider made his late-game appearances must-see television for Cincinnati Reds fans.

In 2018, the former St. Johns basketball star posted a 4.29 ERA with 71 strikeouts in 63 innings out of the bullpen. Garrett kept getting better and posted even better numbers last season, as he contributed a 3.21 ERA with 78 strikeouts in 56 innings. Garrett was able to put up career-best numbers even though he inherited a career-high 44 runners in the 2019 season.

The Reds primary closer, Raisel Iglesias, had his struggles in 2019. Iglesias had six blown saves in 40 opportunities and a 4.16 ERA. The 30-year-old threw 67 innings last season, the fewest in his career since he debuted for the Redlegs in 2015.

Iglesias didn’t agree with how manager David Bell was using him early in the season, which could possibly be the reason we didn’t see the usual crafty right-hander in 2019. In an article from Bobby Nightengale of the Cincinnati Enquirer, Iglesias admitted that he had lost the feel for his slider, his knockout pitch.

It might be time for Garrett to transition into the 9th inning role for Cincinnati. In big-game situations, you need someone who doesn’t shy away from pressure. Garrett also has the makeup of a player who wants the ball when the game is on the line.

Hitters who faced Garrett last year slashed .213/.337/.357 with 7 home runs, a career-low for the lefty. The trajectory that the Reds 27-year-old hurler is on looks like he will have yet another career-best performance in 2020.

The passion, emotion and intensity Garrett will bring to the mound is exactly what the Reds need. Amir Garrett showcases an intimidation factor that no one in the Cincinnati bullpen can match. If he’s willing to take on a whole dugout for his team, I don’t see him backing down when the game is on the line. Don’t be surprised to see Amir slide into the closer role on the 2020 campaign.