Emmanuel Clase is smashing both bats and records at a remarkable pace.
He’s become one of the top closers in baseball, and his impressive cut fastball is reminiscent of Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera during his time with the New York Yankees. Clase is having a standout season that could lead to winning the Cy Young Award, which is rare for relief pitchers.
On Monday night, Clase secured his MLB-leading 46th save, marking his 33rd consecutive save since May 20. This ties José Mesa’s single-season record for the Guardians, who edged closer to an unexpected AL Central title with a 4-3 comeback victory over the Minnesota Twins.
The game followed a familiar pattern: another Cleveland comeback, which was their 40th this season, followed by Clase closing the game.
At Progressive Field, when the bullpen door swings open in the ninth inning, fans know it’s game over. This has been the case all season long.
Guardians second baseman Andrés Giménez is well aware of this routine. Once he hears Clase’s entrance music and sees him jogging onto the field with his braided hair bouncing from under his cap, he knows what to expect.
“I feel like I’m going to go home early,” Giménez said. “Honestly, it’s been absolutely incredible this year, and in the last three years. It’s just unbelievable, saving 40 games each season. It’s crazy. It’s special.”
Crazy. Special. Unhittable.
Clase’s stats are almost hard to believe. He has given up only five earned runs in 69 1/3 innings, leading to an impressive 0.65 ERA. His 94% save conversion rate has solidified his place in the conversation for the AL Cy Young Award.
His advanced statistics also set him apart from many pitchers, and the fact that he has performed so well for a Cleveland team that has led its division since early April makes the 26-year-old — already the Guardians’ career saves leader — an even more compelling candidate.
But there’s more to Clase than just his statistics; he would probably be leading the league in broken bats if that stat were tracked.
He eagerly wants the ball every day and thrives on the challenge. Last month, after pitching for four straight days, first-year Guardians manager Stephen Vogt had to keep him in the dugout to prevent him from pitching again.
The American League hasn’t seen a reliever win the Cy Young Award since Dennis Eckersley of Oakland in 1992. Eric Gagne was the last National League reliever to win after saving 55 games in 2003.
Writers have often hesitated to vote for a specialist like a closer, similar to how a defensive player rarely wins the Heisman Trophy in college football. However, Clase has made a strong argument to change that.
Vogt certainly believes he should be in the conversation.
“The way I look at the Cy Young is like the MVP,” Vogt said. “It’s the most valuable pitcher, and what Emmanuel means to us and to our team, 100% he should be in consideration. But that’s my opinion on it. I don’t get to vote, and I’m a little biased.”
Vogt has good reason to feel that way, and with every strikeout and shattered bat, Clase, who has saved 86 games over the last two seasons, has earned the respect of hitters and managers throughout both leagues.
“He’s elite. He’s one of the game’s best, if not the best,” Kansas City manager Matt Quatraro said during a recent visit to Cleveland.
“There’s not a whole lot you can say that he doesn’t do well. He gets righties and lefties out. Puts the ball on the ground. There’s very little damage. There are strikeouts.”
“Clearly, he loves that moment. He doesn’t flinch from any moment. He can go multiple innings if he needs to. I think every team would love to have someone like that.”
Quatraro laughed when asked how he would face Clase.
“Me? I’d try to get hit. Do a Rudi Stein from ‘Bad News Bears,’” Quatraro said, referring to the character in the movie who is encouraged by his manager to take a hit for the team. Not a bad strategy.
For his part, Clase stays humble and isn’t affected by his success and the attention that comes with it.
“I just see it as my role,” he said through team interpreter Agustin Rivero. “I know that’s the time I’m going to come in and pitch, and I have to prepare to perform in those situations.”
Closers are special, working under great pressure where one mistake can be very costly. Clase has handled it for months with barely a misstep.
Whether he deserves any awards is up to others to decide.
“I think the numbers speak for themselves,” Clase said. “To get to that point, you have to work throughout the season. So far, I’ve been able to put up those types of numbers.”
