Roberto Osuna has a long way to go before he earns comparisons to Mariano Rivera, but right now he’s being treated like the ultimate shutdown closer.
Residing at the back of bullpen that has been on the wobbly side at times, Osuna has been asked to go more than four outs, or come into non-save situations, to bring games to an end for the Toronto Blue Jays.
“We treat Roberto Osuna like he’s Mariano Rivera now,” said Stephen Brunt on The Jeff Blair Show on Sportsnet 590 The Fan. “[John Gibbons] goes to him early.”
“That’s how he wants to be treated,” quipped Blair in reply.
So far this season, the Mexican right-hander has gone more than one inning three times, including two of his last four appearances.
What makes Osuna’s reliability so unusual is how he’s settled in at such an early age. While he’s no longer the youngest player in baseball, as a 21-year-old closer he’s certainly a rare breed.
“For a kid to be doing this at 21 and have an airtight season so far at a time where there are all kinds of moving parts on this team, including who comes into the game before him is extraordinary,” said Brunt. “I’m not sure how many precedents there are.”
Osuna’s 30 saves prior to his 22nd birthday rank third in MLB history behind Terry Forster and Billy McCool. He could tie the record with 15 more saves this season, far from an unreachable mark.
As far as Sportsnet’s Joe Siddall is concerned, he may not be Rivera, but what he’s doing at the moment is impressive nonetheless.
“It’s pretty special. Making the comparison to Mariano Rivera, he not quite there yet, but that’s what he’s doing,” he said. “Gibby is handing him the ball and basically the game is over.”
Osuna is currently 2-0 with a 1.29 ERA in 21 innings, striking out 25 and walking only five. He’s 10-for-11 in save situations.
