If you’re wondering how Angels closer Huston Street has managed to continue befuddling major league hitters despite a lack of an overwhelming fastball, the answer may lie in his incredibly strict routine. As MLB.com’s Alden Gonzalez explains in an interesting piece, Street’s daily regimen is shaped by lessons learned from his late father.
Here’s more from the AL West:
- Angels shortstop Andrelton Simmons, the organization’s key offseason addition, has now missed four straight days to rest his arm, as Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reports. Manager Mike Scioscia reiterated that the team isn’t concerned with Simmons’s health and is merely “err[ing] on the side of caution.”
- Mariners skipper Scott Servais says the club has interest in bringing back just-released righty Justin De Fratus on a minor league arrangement, Bob Dutton of the Tacoma News Tribune reports on Twitter. That continued interest and the move’s timing could suggest there was a financial motivation for setting De Fratus back on the open market, since there was no corresponding 40-man addition. Also, stashing him in the minors might be the organization’s preferred outcome, and he is out of options. Whether or not De Fratus returns to the fold, Seattle is said to be on the lookout for additional bullpen candidates.
- The Mariners have several options for right-handed power bats in the first base/DH mix, and MLB.com’s Greg Johns notes that it would be unwise to count out Stefen Romero. He has impressed at the plate and in the field thus far, though he’ll likely still need to beat out both Jesus Montero and Dae-ho Lee to earn a roster spot.
- Derek Norris may be a more sensible target for the Rangers than Jonathan Lucroy, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News opines. Salary and length of control are the two main factors, but Grant notes that there are some reasons to prefer Norris over Lucroy from an on-field perspective, too.
Love Huston Street, he’s one of my all time favorite closers. It’s refreshing to see a closer without the massive fastball still be so dominant. He reminds to a lot of Koji except Street gets it done with the change up while Koji’s outpitch is his splitter. While they use different put away pitches the same idea of getting hitters off balance applies. Kudos to Huston Street and all other pitchers that might not have the crazy physical talent but are still dominant but mastering their craft, specifically deception!
Just curious. Did you follow Koji in Japanese Baseball? Otherwise, how does a player who started his MLB career in 2005 remind you of a player who started theirs in 2009?
He’s 16 and he has the Red Sox primarily as a reference, can everybody stop trolling him and give him a break?!
Still remember when he was a rookie with the A’s. One of very little relievers to start young at closing games and to still be cosing games consistently.
I remember when street was a rookie with the A’s, then he gave up that big home run that sent the tigers to the world series.
The Tigers have have built good teams but some how cant seem to close in a world series.
Weaver should take some lessons from Street and possibly learn a new pitch like a palm,fork, knuckle ball.