Dusty Baker rehashed the Washington Nationals’ thinking in naming 28-year-old right-hander Blake Treinen the Nats’ closer when he met with reporters Friday afternoon in the nation’s capital, a day after he made the official announcement in Ft. Myers, FL.
In his third season in the Nationals’ bullpen, Treinen put up a 2.28 ERA, a 3.62 FIP, 31 walks (4.16 BB/9) and 63 Ks (8.46 K/9) in 67 innings last year, posting a .220/.314/.333 line against in a 0.5 fWAR campaign.
Treinen relies heavily on his heavy sinker (which he threw 68.8% of the time last season and has thrown 72% of the time in the majors), mixing in a slider (30.