Get To Know Your 2008 San Diego Padres: Bullpen

Last season, the Padres’ bullpen was, arguably, the best in the big leagues.  Relievers Cla Meredith and Heath Bell posted remarkable numbers while continually holding opposing teams to low scores for longtime closer, Trevor Hoffman.  Hoffman was also, once again, the most prolific closer in the majors last year, posting 42 saves and an ERA of 3.00.  All three will be returning this year, but some new faces figure to keep the Friars’ pen on top.  Here’s the breakdown:

Trevor Hoffman, #51, RHP

Hoffman is the reigning all-time saves leader and looks to add to his stellar record this season.  The right-hander already has a record 524 saves, a mark that figures to stand for quite a long time.  Although the closer, again, led the major leagues in stats by a closer, he started to show signs of wear toward the end of the season.  Some have begun to question just how much the 41 year-old has left in the tank.  It is widely known that Hoffman’s bread and butter is his wicked changeup but with so many batters knowing exactly what is coming their way, Hoffman’s effectiveness with his famous pitch may be dwindling for good.  Hoffman is also attempting to bounce back from offseason elbow surgery, so the Padres’ brass will be keeping a close eye on him to see how it will affect him over the long haul this season. 

Heath Bell, #21, RHP

At 6′3″, 225 lbs., Padres’ setup man Health Bell is a beast of a pitcher.  The Oceanside native proved to be dominant filling in at the setup role vacated by Scott Linebrink midway through last season.  His 2.03 ERA was one of the best among relievers last year and he finished the year ranked second in holds (34) for a reliever.  The hard-throwing righty figures to remain in the setup role and keep opposing batters on their toes again this season.                                                                                                                                                                                           

Cla Meredith, #43, RHP

When watching Cla Meredith throw a baseball, the first thing anyone will notice is the 25 year-old’s unorthodox delivery.  Mereditch has a deceptive sidearm delivery that confused opposing batters to no end when he first broke in to the Padres’ bullpen in 2006.  Last season, Meredith began the year pitching 15 consecutive scoreless innings over a 13-game span and 80 appearances ranked 7th overall among National League pitchers.  Of those 80 outings, Meredith held opponents scoreless 58 times.  Meredith is quickly gaining valuable experience and with his wicked delivery, opposing batters will have a difficult time adjusting.

Justin Hampson, #45 , LHP

Justin Hampson is the first of two possible karten spieletexas holdem regelnonline games kostenlos pokeronline poker anbieterpoker jetzt spielenabsolut poker bonuspoker regeln downloadpoker online gratuitopoker game onlinepoker on line gratuitopoker online legalegiocare poker onlinepoker tour gameworld poker tournamentpoker online flashstreep poker gratisgiochi online pokergiochi poker da scaricarestreap pokerpoker pc gratispoker room on lineguida poker onlinegiochi di carte pokerpoker tour ps2probabilit