Jordan Walden New Closer For Angels

This spring I mentioned Angels rookie relief pitcher Jordan Walden as one of our 2011 impact rookies for fantasy baseball. While I liked Walden coming into the season it was obvious that the Angels were likely to go with Fernando Rodney as the closer to start the season and might try a few veterans in the ninth before they gave Walden a shot.

Sure enough Rodney got the closers role, and predictably struggled from the get go. What I didn’t know was that the rest of the Angels bull pen (excluding Walden) would struggle in the Angels first series against the Royals. Coming into their second series, I was a little surprised that Manager Mike Scioscia gave the closers role to Walden, but I figured this was inevitable.

Walden should be the right man for the job, even though he posted a career 1.27 WHIP in the minors and had a 1.30 WHIP in his sixteen appearances with the pro team last season. At 6’5, 240 pounds, Walden is an imposing figure on the mound and has drawn comparisons to Dodgers closer Jonathan Broxton.

In Walden’s first action as the teams closer he gave the Angels what they needed most, a win, and without the coaches reaching for the Pepto Bismol throughout the inning.

Fantasy Outlook

Don’t expect Walden to relinquish this role throughout the 2011 season. Sure, their are better relief pitchers in baseball, but Walden is clearly the Angels top talent to close games down in the ninth. Again, the only reasons (in my opinion) why Walden wasn’t the closer to begin the season was because of his pro experience and Rodney’s resume from the past.

Most hitters in the American League have never faced Walden and he clearly has an advantage because of it. Six days in, Walden has had four appearances (in five games) and has a zero earn run average and a .60 WHIP. Only time will tell if Walden is the true future closer for the Angels for the next five years or longer, but fantasy owners should feel safe with Walden this season.

As an added bonus, the Angels tend to play in many close ball games and their closers tend to get many opportunities for saves. Walden could breakout for over 35 saves this season, if he stays hot. For those of you that were smart enough to jump on Walden at your draft, or pick him up over the weekend, congratulations, your keen eye will pay off big.