With spring training underway, teams are starting to make decisions on who will fill key roles in their bullpen. For the Oakland Athletics, manager Mark Kotsay is considering a number of options to fill the closer role.
Among those options, he has mentioned Trevor May as a potential candidate. But is May suited to be a closer?.
Trevor May’s Background and Career
The Oakland Athletics may have multiple options for their closer role in the upcoming MLB season, including Trevor May, Jeurys Familia, and Dany Jimenez. In this report, we will focus on Trevor May and his background, career, and potential as a closer for the team.
Trevor May was born on September 23, 1989, in Longview, Washington. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the fourth round of the 2008 MLB draft, but he was later traded to the Minnesota Twins in 2012.
May made his major league debut with the Twins on August 9, 2014, as a starting pitcher, but he eventually transitioned to a relief pitcher in 2019.
As a relief pitcher, May had a career-best season in 2020 with an ERA of 3.86, 38 strikeouts, and only seven walks in 23.1 innings pitched.
He also had a career-high strikeout rate of 14.71 per nine innings, which ranked fourth in the American League among pitchers with at least 20 innings pitched.
Analysis of His Performance in the 2020 Season
May’s performance in 2020 was impressive, especially considering the shortened season and the challenges of playing during a pandemic. He showed improvement in his control and his ability to strike out batters, making him a potential candidate for the closer role with the Athletics.
However, there are some concerns about his consistency and durability. May has only pitched in more than 30 games once in his career, and he has struggled at times with giving up home runs. These issues may make him a better fit as a setup man rather than the primary closer for the team.
Comparison to Other Potential Closers on the Athletics
Jeurys Familia and Dany Jimenez are two other relief pitchers who could be used as closers for the Athletics. Familia has a more established career as a closer, with 124 career saves and a 2.94 ERA in that role. However, he has struggled in recent years with control and giving up home runs.
Jimenez is a newer player who could be a wildcard for the team. He had a great season in the minor leagues in 2019, but he has yet to pitch in the majors.
However, the team is impressed with his performance in spring training, and he may be given an opportunity to pitch in high-leverage situations.
Overall, Trevor May has shown potential as a closer for the Oakland Athletics. However, he will need to continue to improve his consistency and durability to be a reliable option for the team in that role.
The team also has other options to consider, so it will be interesting to see how they choose to use their bullpen this season.
Criteria for a Closer
A closer is a pitcher who is responsible for finishing off games, often in high-pressure situations. They need to be able to maintain their composure under stress, execute pitches with precision, and have a repertoire of effective pitches to get batters out.
The key attributes needed in a closer include mental toughness, command, pitch repertoire, and the ability to generate strikeouts.
Mental toughness is a critical attribute for a closer as they must be able to handle high-pressure situations, such as coming in with the game on the line.
They must have the confidence to execute pitches effectively and shut down the opposing team’s offense. Command is equally important, as closers need to throw strikes consistently and avoid walks that could put runners on base.
Pitch repertoire is another vital attribute, as closers need to be able to keep batters off balance with a variety of pitches. They often rely on their fastball as their primary pitch but must also have secondary pitches like sliders or changeups to keep hitters guessing at the plate.
Finally, closers must have the ability to generate strikeouts. Striking out batters is an essential tool for a closer, as it helps them get out of innings quickly without relying on their defense to make plays. It also prevents runners from advancing or scoring, which can be crucial late in games.
Trevor May, who is expected to be one of the closers for the Athletics this season, has many of these attributes. May has a solid fastball that can touch the mid-90s and an excellent slider that he uses as his out pitch. He also has a high strikeout rate, with a career strikeout rate of 12.3 strikeouts per nine innings.
However, May’s command has been inconsistent throughout his career, with a career walk rate of 3.7 walks per nine innings. If May can improve his command, he can become a dominant closer for the Athletics this season.
Overall, May has the potential to be an excellent closer, and the Athletics will be relying on him to lock down games late in the season.
Role of a Closer in the Athletics
The Athletics team has been analyzing their bullpen situation and have identified a need for a reliable closer. In this regard, they are considering using Trevor May, Jeurys Familia, and Dany Jimenez to fill this role during the season.
Tevor Mray is a right-handed pitcher with an impressive arsenal of pitches, including a high-velocity four-seam fastball, a devastating slider, and an effective changeup.
He had a solid 2020 season with the Minnesota Twins, earning him a one-year, $8.0 million contract with the New York Mets.
May has experience in a closer role, having logged two saves in the 2020 season. His skills and experience make him a strong candidate for the closer position.
Jeurys Familia is a right-handed pitcher who brings a wealth of experience to the table. He has played for the New York Mets and the Oakland Athletics, and has a career ERA of 3.33.
While Familia struggled in the 2020 season, his ability to pitch under pressure could make him an ideal closer.
Dany Jimenez, a right-handed pitcher, was acquired by the Athletics through a waiver claim from the Blue Jays in January 2021. Though Jimenez has minimal major league experience, his performance in the 2019 minor league season was impressive, with a 1.14 ERA over 31.1 innings.
He also recorded 40 strikeouts during that time. While Jimenez’s lack of experience will likely limit his chances of becoming the team’s primary closer, he could see time in the ninth inning in key situations.
The Athletics are taking steps to bolster their bullpen and have identified the need for a reliable closer. Trevor May, Jeurys Familia, and Dany Jimenez have all been identified as potential candidates for the role.
May’s skills and experience make him a strong contender, while Familia brings valuable experience and the ability to pitch under pressure. Jimenez’s lack of experience may limit his role, but he could still be a valuable asset in key situations.
Potential Challenges and Concerns
Potential Challenges or Concerns That Trevor May May Face in the Closer Role
Lack of experience: Trevor May has never been a full-time closer in his career. He has only recorded seven saves and does not have much experience in high-stress situations.
Control issues: May has struggled with control issues in the past. He has a career BB/9 of 4.0 and a walk rate of 7.2% in 2020. This lack of control could lead to free passes, which could ultimately lead to blown saves.
Inconsistent performance: May’s performance has been inconsistent throughout his career, and he has had his fair share of ups and downs. If he struggles to find consistency as the closer, it could lead to a lack of confidence and the inability to close out games effectively.
Analysis of Trevor May’s Ability to Handle Pressure Situations and Close Out Games
Mental toughness: May has shown mental toughness in the past, which is a vital trait for a closer. He has bounced back from rough outings and has shown resilience when facing adversity.
Strong stuff: May has a good fastball-slider combination and has shown the ability to strike out batters in critical situations. He had a K/9 of 13.2 in 2020, showcasing his strikeout ability and a potential weapon in high-pressure situations.
Ability to learn and adapt: May has been vocal about his interest in learning how to become a better closer. He has been working with his coaching staff to develop his skills and learn techniques to manage stress and pressure on the field.
Overall, Trevor May has the tools to be an effective closer. While he may face some challenges and concerns, his mental toughness, strong arm, and willingness to learn and adapt will be key factors in his success in the closer role.
With proper coaching and support, he could become a critical asset for the New York Mets in the late innings.
What Happened to Trevor May?
Battle Injuries in 2022: Trevor May faced physical setbacks, causing him to miss significant playing time.
Three Months on Injured List: May’s tricep inflammation sidelined him for an extended period, affecting his performance.
COVID-19 Stint: May also faced a stint with COVID-19, causing further disruption to his playing time.
Expired Contract: With his contract expiring, May was left with a decision to make regarding his future.
One-Year Contract: May ultimately decided to sign a one-year contract to reset his market and prove his worth.
How Tall is Trevor May?
Trevor May’s Height: Standing at 6 feet 5 inches, Trevor May is a towering figure on the baseball field.
May’s Physical Advantages: His height gives May a long wingspan and allows him to deliver high-speed pitches with ease.
Impressive Career Stats: May has been a dominant force as a relief pitcher for the Minnesota Twins, thanks in part to his impressive physicality.
Challenges of Being Tall: Despite the advantages, May admits that being so tall can also have its drawbacks, including difficulties with balance and coordination.
Overall Impact: May’s height has undoubtedly contributed to his success on the field, making him a formidable opponent for opposing hitters.
Who is Trevor May’s Brother?
Dustin Jake May is the brother of Trevor May, a professional baseball pitcher for the New York Mets. Both brothers were born in September, with Dustin being born on the 6th in 1997 and Trevor being born on the 23rd in 1989.
Dustin is also a professional baseball pitcher, currently playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers in the MLB. The brothers grew up in a family that was passionate about sports, with their father playing professional football in Germany.
Dustin and Trevor both began playing baseball at a young age and eventually became top prospects in high school. Dustin was drafted by the Dodgers in the third round of the 2016 MLB draft, while Trevor was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the fourth round of the 2008 draft.
Despite the age difference, the brothers have remained close and supportive of each other’s careers. Both Dustin and Trevor have been involved in charitable endeavors, with Dustin supporting a youth baseball organization and Trevor raising awareness for mental health.
The May brothers have both experienced success in their respective careers, with Trevor being a key player for the Minnesota Twins before joining the Mets in 2021.
Although they are now on different teams, the May brothers continue to share a love of the game and a deep bond as brothers.
To Recap
While Trevor May has limited experience as a closer, he has shown the ability to thrive in high-pressure situations.
His stuff is more than capable of closing down games, and with his experience pitching in both the National and American Leagues, he could be a reliable option for the Oakland Athletics.
However, with other pitchers like Familia and Jimenez also in consideration, it remains to be seen who will ultimately land the closer job come opening day.
