Fansided

10 pitchers who have surprised in 2015

By Jason Evans

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Aug 31, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Brad Boxberger (26) pitches during the ninth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Tampa Bay Rays defeated Baltimore Orioles 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 31, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Brad Boxberger (26) pitches during the ninth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Tampa Bay Rays defeated Baltimore Orioles 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

Brad Boxberger

Analytically speaking, players should be able to perform in whatever role they get put into. Relievers though want to know what role they have. Are they the eighth inning guy? Are they the LOOGY? Are they the guy to shut things down at the end of the game?

For the Tampa Bay Rays, coming into this year, Jake McGee was supposed to be the closer. But McGee had off-season elbow surgery that he was slow to recover from. Enter Brad Boxberger, who was supposed to be the chief setup man, now finding himself as the closer.

Much like Jeurys Familia, who I talked about earlier in this space, Boxberger found himself to be successful at it. He currently leads the American League in saves.

Boxberger came about things in a different way though. He was a former first round pick of the Reds, that found himself traded in the Mat Latos deal, then found himself sent to the Rays in a deal a couple of weeks before Spring Training last season.

Credit the Rays for finding another effective arm on the cheap. Boxberger struck out 104 in 64.2 innings last season, but hasn’t reached those strikeout levels this season. Nonetheless, Boxberger will probably keep this role moving forward for the Rays as they try and get back to the postseason.

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