What are the attributes and makeup of a college closer?

When I think of closer, often the term intimidation comes to mind. Someone like Goose Gossage or Mariano Riveria. It does not have to be that way though. Through the years there have been many finess closers such as Dan Quisenberry, Doug Jones, Dennis Eckersly and the like who just knew how to get guys out.

For college, with the aluminum bat, I think the closer really needs to keep their wits about them - regardless if they are a power guy, finess guy, or some combination in between... Sometimes with aluminum, you can get blooped to death even though you are making your pitches correctly. Learning to trust your defense is also important. You have to be able to throw strikes with confidence that someone behind you will make a play.

CD:

quote:

You have to be able to throw strikes with confidence that someone behind you will make a play.

That's it exactly!

When I think of a closer in college I think of a power guy that challenges the batters. Good FB and not afraid to come inside with it and usually has a good a hard slider to compliment the FB. Throws strikes. Could be your best pitcher but his approach needs to be modified to be a starter. His approach as a closer should be to dominate the batter. Most good closers can do this one time through the line-up but you can only challenge a "power hitter" once or maybe twice and he will eventually hurt you. I think a closer can get by with two pitches whereas a starter needs three.

JBB,
Interesting topic!

True closers in college are hard to find. Our closer, who most likely will be a first round pick if he keeps it up, played this summer for USA Baseball, is a hard throwing lefty who is just a strike machine. He never had one start in college, he struggled in relief. He definetly has the closer mentality. As someone said once about him, he has the mentality, "you can't beat me I am the best", and even when beaten he continues with that philososphy. It is very much part of his make up,lots of ego. Also, most have to not mind coming out of the pen at any time. He is always used late in the game, because his best stuff is for two innings.
I am not sure if he is the best pitcher on the team but certainly has made a difference for us as the role of closer and it has not gone unnoticed.

When stopper comes to mind, I think of the guy who comes into a situation to stop what's going on. One out, two on base or bases loaded. He is the one who usually does not walk someone and is effective in inducing double plays. He can be used anytime it's needed and might be for one or two batters. You have to be able to trust that he can do that as well as he has to trust himself.

Where mine goes to school, as a freshman, you have to be able to come in and do all three, it takes time. By the third year, some the second,most have settled into a defined role.

Mine has done all three (ahhh four ) as yours, but definetly has more of the starter mentality in him. He, in my mind, lacks a true closers mentality.

Throwing gas, throwing strikes, yes, but, not all pitchers are made the same. Meaning, some guys just can't stay healthy throwing every day; even if it is only one inning.