According to Fangraphs, the Yankees closer leads AL relievers in WAR (1.0), K/9 (17.05), and FIP (1.09) through 19 innings of work. No matter how impressive his numbers may be, some fans refuse to feel comfortable when he enters ballgames.
Their distress must be linked to his 2017 when shoulder inflammation plagued “The Cuban Missle.” His struggles even caused him to temporarily lose his closer job. We all remember those dark days.
Yet, Chapman appeared to rebound just in time for the postseason and during the offseason, the 103-mph throwing southpaw remained focused on bouncing back to his old All-Star caliber self.