It appears Boston Red Sox closer Aroldis Chapman has discovered the fountain of youth. The left-hander is enjoying perhaps his best season in the majors at age 37.
His 1.18 ERA this year is the best in his 16 big-league seasons. Chapman is tied for eighth in the American League with 17 saves, putting him on track to challenge his career high of 38.
Those numbers landed him on the American League All-Star roster this season. It was the eighth time Chapman earned a spot in the Midsummer Classic.
So what’s going on with the flame-throwing southpaw? Masslive.com’s Sean McAdam has an explanation for Chapman’s renaissance season.
*Credit Red Sox pitching coach Andrew Bailey for his work in helping relievers improve their strike-throwing,” McAdam wrote Sunday. “Aroldis Chapman is the most obvious example of this, but Bailey has also overseen a big turnaround with Jorge Alcala, who has cut his walk rate from 13.2 percent with the Twins to 8.2 percent since joining the Red Sox.”
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Earlier this month, Chapman recorded his 350th career save. He ranks 14th all-time with 352 saves and is third among active pitchers. Only former Red Sox closers Kenley Jansen (464) and Craig Kimbrel (460) have more.
Reflecting on his milestone, Chapman acknowledged he’s already set his next benchmark. “My goal is to reach 400,“ said Chapman, according to McAdam. ”I know that’s not an easy task to accomplish, but I’m going to keep working hard to accomplish that goal.”
Chapman also stands to cash in after the season. He joined the Red Sox this year on a one-year, $10.75 million contract and will be a free agent following the World Series.
WEEI’s Rob Bradford reported last week Chapman hasn’t talked to the Red Sox about a new contract.
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