The Los Angeles Angels did major patchwork on their bullpen on Friday by obtaining closer Huston Street from the San Diego Padres in a six-player deal (contingent on a physical).
Street entered Friday with 129 saves over the past five seasons, tied for fourth in the majors in that span. His 1.09 ERA this season would be the best of his career if he can maintain it. He has converted 24 saves in 25 chances in 2014.
Huston Street - This Season
The Angels entered the day ranked 24th in the majors in bullpen ERA this season (3.89).
Street’s strength is that he is formidable against both left-handed and right-handed hitters.
Over the past three seasons, he’s held left-handed batters to a .180 batting average, fifth lowest of the 100 right-handed pitchers who have faced the most lefty hitters in relief in that span. Right-handed hitters are batting only .170 against him in that span, ninth best among all relievers.
Street has two different approaches for getting hitters out, depending on from which side of the plate they are hitting. Against righties, he’s thrown 62 percent sliders this season (they’re 4-for-42 in at-bats ending in that pitch). Against lefties, he throws about two-thirds fastballs with the changeup as his secondary option.
Street will repeatedly work a hitter away, away, away. He’s thrown three-quarters of his pitches to the outer-third of the plate or off the outside corner, the highest rate of any pitcher in the majors this season.
Perhaps the biggest reason Street has kept his ERA low this season is his performance with men on base. Opponents are 3-for-32 against him and 1-for-15 with runners in scoring position.
