With the 2013 independent seasons finished, it is time to look at the best of the best. And, when it comes to closers, the American Association had some of the most reliable this season. The league owned three of this year’s top-10 independent baseball saves leaders and one former American Association hurler led all independent league closers.
Wichita’s Josh Dew (pictured) and Lincoln’s R.J. Rodriguez were tied atop the American Association with 27 saves, placing them third overall in independent ball. Dew pitched 40.1 innings for the Wingnuts and delivered a solid ERA of 1.56. He only allowed 21 hits and struck out 44 batters. As for Rodriguez, the Saltdogs’ closer allowed 31 hits in 33.2 innings, while fanning 27 men.
Finishing behind Dew and Rodriguez was Patrick Mincey of the Grand Prairie AirHogs. Mincey was third in the American Association and ninth among independent closers with 24 saves. The right-hander posted the second-best ERA in the top-10 closers list with a 1.01 mark. In 53.1 innings, he struck out 55 hitters and allowed 33 hits.
While Dew, Rodriguez and Mincey all dealt for their respective clubs, one former American Association pitcher was better than all other independent closers in 2013. Righty Jon Hunton nailed down 37 saves for the Atlantic League’s Somerset Patriots this year. Prior to joining Somerset, Hunton pitched for four different American Association teams in 2007, 2008, 2011 and 2012. His best campaign came in 2011 with the AirHogs, when he compiled 25 saves, accompanied by a 7-2 record and an ERA of 1.76.
2013 Independent Saves Leaders
Independent Baseball Insider By Bob Wirz Vol. 11, No. 35, October 10, 2013
Chart compiled by Bob Wirz
| Player | Team | League |
SV |
IP |
ERA |
H |
SO |
| Hunton, Jon | Somerset | Atlantic |
37 |
54.0 |
3.00 |
59 |
37 |
| Warden, Ed Jim |
Southern Maryland |
Atlantic |
35 |
60.0 |
1.50 |
51 |
49 |
| Dew, Josh | Wichita | American Assn. |
27 |
40.1 |
1.56 |
21 |
44 |
| Rodriguez, R.J. | Lincoln | American Assn. |
27 |
33.2 |
4.27 |
31 |
27 |
| Marban, Jorge | Florence | Frontier |
27 |
44.0 |
2.04 |
26 |
61 |
| Shaw, Gabriel | River City | Frontier |
26 |
49.2 |
2.53 |
50 |
49 |
| Martin, Adrian | Camden | Atlantic |
25 |
59.0 |
2.13 |
66 |
37 |
| *Urquidez, Jason | Lancaster | Atlantic |
24 |
36.0 |
0.25 |
19 |
48 |
| Mincey, Patrick | Grand Prairie | American Assn. |
24 |
53.1 |
1.01 |
33 |
55 |
| Cox, Chris | Quebec | Can-Am |
23 |
41.2 |
2.80 |
36 |
41 |
(Bob Wirz also writes about Independent Baseball on www.IndyBaseballChatter.com. Fans may subscribe to this Independent Baseball Insider column, which will be published 40 times in 2013, at www.WirzandAssociates.com or comment to RWirz@aol.com. The author has 16 years of major league baseball experience with Kansas City and as spokesman for two Commissioners, and lives in Stratford, CT.)
Photo courtesy of the Wichita Wingnuts
