Last season, Luke Jackson was thrust into the closer’s role out of necessity for the Atlanta Braves. Arodys Vizcaíno appeared in four games before suffering a season-ending injury. A.J. Minter stepped in as the closer-in-waiting...and we are still waiting.
Minter struggled all spring with shoulder inflammation and was rendered completely ineffective. The back-end of the bullpen was in disarray.
The Braves ended the season with 11 pitchers earning a save. The most stable option we had for a very important chunk of the season was Luke Jackson.
Jackson ended the season as the team leader in saves.