In 2017, the then struggling and rebuilding Padres decided to take a chance on Yates. However, after unsuccessful stints with the Rays, Yankees, and finally Angels - Yates was designated for assignment at the beginning of 2017. Undrafted out of community college after undergoing two Tommy John surgeries, The native Hawaiian signed his first professional contract with the Rays in 2009. It cannot be understated how far Yates has come to be classified as a top tier closer in baseball. Not to mention Yates’s K/9 since becoming closer has exceeded the likes of Blake Treinen, Felipe Vazquez, and Kenley Jansen. Having converted 23 of 24 save opportunities since becoming the Padres primary closer, only Edwin Diaz has amassed more saves. Since Yates became the Padres closer after the departure of Brad Hand at last years’ trade deadline, Yates has posted a minuscule 2.04 ERA while posting an astounding 14.75 strikeouts per nine innings. Although we remain at the point in 2019 where anything is considered a small sample size, Yates is only continuing right where he left off last season. While each save hasn’t been entirely seamless, as his most recent save last Friday saw him walk the bases loaded, Yates has only given up one earned run across 15 innings of work. Consequently, Yates has seen more save opportunities than any other closer in baseball through the first month. ![]() Of the Padres 17 wins, 16 of them have come with the team leading by three runs or fewer. 500 through the first month of the season without Yates.īeyond Yates’s league leading 14 saves in 14 opportunities, his vital importance has been exacerbated by the Padres’ seemingly inescapable tendency to either dramatically come from behind, or blow large leads. While Craig Stammen has remained reliable, and strong starts from rookies Chris Paddack and Nick Margevicius have allowed the Padres to keep leads late into the game, the Padres would not be above. Through the first month of the season, Yates has been the Padres most valuable arm. However, the hard-throwing right-hander has reinvented himself by way of a devastating splitter, and after winning National League Reliever of the Month, Yates has become one of the most effective ninth-inning arms in the game. ![]() Few thought Yates would ever be considered a top-tier closer when the 32-year-old was cut by the Angels two years ago.
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