{"id":9340,"date":"2024-02-17T10:17:22","date_gmt":"2024-02-17T18:17:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/?p=9340"},"modified":"2024-02-17T10:17:22","modified_gmt":"2024-02-17T18:17:22","slug":"justin-lawrence-strong-2024-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/2024\/02\/17\/justin-lawrence-strong-2024-season\/","title":{"rendered":"Justin Lawrence Ready for a Strong 2024 Season"},"content":{"rendered":"

Justin Lawrence Ready for a Strong Season<\/h2>\n

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (Feb. 15) \u2014 Colorado Rockies<\/a> reliever Justin Lawrence<\/strong><\/a> comes into Spring Training 2024 on a mission to dominate from start to finish. With the injury to Daniel Bard<\/a><\/strong>, he is among the candidates to be the closer, a role he had for a while in 2023. When he was in good form, he was a tough puzzle for hitters to solve. If he can make that form permanent in 2024, he will solve one of the Rockies\u2019 biggest struggles from 2023 \u2014 relief pitching, especially in late innings.<\/p>\n

A Great Start to the Season<\/h3>\n

Justin Lawrence had some dominant stretches in 2023. On August 14, he closed out a 6\u20134 Rockies comeback victory<\/a> over the Arizona Diamondbacks<\/a> by striking out Christian Walker<\/a><\/strong>, Kyle Lewis<\/a><\/strong>, and Jace Peterson<\/a><\/strong> in a 1-2-3 ninth. His stat line was one of the strongest among National League closers. In 50 appearances, Lawrence tossed 58 2\/3 innings with a 2.76 ERA (55 ERA-minus), keeping his opponents from scoring an earned run in 39 of the 50 appearances (78%, nine points better than league average). Additionally, he had 61 strikeouts, 26 walks, and a 1.108 WHIP. His percentages were strong, with a 25.4 K%, 10.8 BB%, 14.6 K\u2013BB%, and 1.3 HR%. He rarely allowed inherited runners to score up to that point \u2014 7% (2-of-29), well below the season-long NL average of 32%.<\/p>\n

Prior to that game, then-teammate Brent Suter<\/a><\/strong> spoke to Sport Relay<\/em> about Lawrence. Suter mentioned that Lawrence has \u201cgreat energy\u201d and is a \u201cfunny guy,\u201d but when he entered a game, he was \u201ca different animal.\u201d Suter specifically mentioned Lawrence\u2019s ability to prevent inherited runners from scoring.<\/p>\n

Nasty Pitches<\/h4>\n

It all came from an increase in command, conviction, and the ability to compete. \u201cEvery pitch, he believes in,\u201d Suter said. \u201cHe\u2019s got some of the nastiest splits. One (pitch) goes this way, another goes this way \u2014 it\u2019s crazy.\u201d As he described the movement of the pitches, he moved his hand in opposite directions.<\/p>\n

Walker, a regular tormenter of the Rockies since taking over as the everyday Diamondbacks first baseman in 2019, is 0-for-5 in his career against Lawrence with two strikeouts and a double-play groundout. What makes Lawrence tough for Walker goes along with what Suter said. Walker told Sport Relay<\/em> in August, \u201cThe deception of his release point \u2014 third-base side of the rubber, real low slot, kind of hunched over, crossfire. It\u2019s tricky to match that angle.\u201d Walker added that the fastball, sinker, and slider in Lawrence\u2019s arsenal make his release angle especially effective.<\/p>\n

How Justin Lawrence Became the Closer<\/h3>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>