Cincinnati Reds: Top 3 pitchers to replace Raisel Iglesias as the new closer

3. Amir Garrett, Reds left-handed pitcher

Amir Garrett earned his first-career save in 2020, but that shouldn’t make the left-hander Cincinnati’s No. 1 choice to take over as the team’s closer. Garrett is virtually unhittable against left-handed hitters, and should be turned to late in games when the opposing lineup in loaded with left-handers who can mash. However, Garrett isn’t ready to be the Reds closer.

Yes, Garrett possesses that fiery personality we’d all like to see from the Reds closer. Heck, Garrett took on the entire Pittsburgh Pirates dugout by himself during a brawl in 2019 that cost the reliever eight games. That passion and drive that Garrett plays with is admirable, but it’s also important for a closer to be calm under pressure.

Garrett’s emotional outbursts on the mound are not what concern me. That same fire that can push Garrett a bit too far is also the same passion that keeps the southpaw engaged. We saw a similar attitude from Trevor Bauer this past season, and he won the NL Cy Young. No, it’s not Garrett’s emotion that concerns me, but rather his stats against right-handed hitters.

Let’s face it, Amir Garrett will not be fortunate enough to face only left-handed hitters night-in and night-out as the Reds closer. Opposing managers are going to see the same stats we all do and know that in order to get on base versus Garrett, you need to put a right-handed hitter in the batter’s box.

Last season, Garrett dominated lefties to the tune of a .043 batting average. Opposing left-handed hitters only reached base 21% of the time against Garrett. However, when a right-handed hitter was staring down AG, the southpaw surrendered a .231 batting average and all four home runs give up by Garrett came against right-handed batters.