Ryan Thompson on D-backs closer job: ‘5 or 6 of us can easily do that job’

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Ryan Thompson said it’s a hard, but good problem to have when it comes to uncertainty as to who will close games to start the 2025 MLB season.

Thompson joined Arizona Sports’ Wolf & Luke on Friday and said the team has five to six players that could easily get the job.

“I think the team has a really easy, but very hard decision which is a beautiful thing. I think there’s five or six of us that can easily do that job but at the same time it’s like, ‘How do you pick?'” Thompson said.

“That’s the hard part of the job for them. Torey talks about it a lot of how we were at our best when we had a defined closer. Hopefully we have that guy that can stick out above the rest and can be an easy choice that knows every single night he’s got the ninth inning and the rest of us can operate accordingly.”

In 2024, Thompson pitched 66 innings, posting a 7-5 record, 52 strikeouts with a 3.26 ERA and 1.19 WHIP. He had some time in the closing role, notching two saves out of nine opportunities. Through 6 games this spring, Thompson has posted a 3.38 ERA with three strikeouts and 1.13 WHIP.

Why does Ryan Thompson say having a closer is important?

Thompson said having a consistent closer will help the rest of the bullpen know what their roles will be.

“It’s easier for a collective because everyone kind of knows their job. We’re not in the bullpen trying to figure out where’s my pocket, where am I gonna come in, where am I gonna make mark on this game,” Thompson said. “It’s more I know that am I gonna be right-handed leverage in the seventh, eighth inning and I prep for that and I take pride in that.”

Thompson referred back to the 2023 playoff run when the Diamondbacks had a very clear pecking order in front of then-closer Paul Sewald.

“In 2023 when we had that great playoff run I took a lot of pride in being the seventh inning guy. I knew the back of my jersey said seventh inning guy,” Thompson said. “I believed in (Kevin) Ginkel and (Paul) Sewald so much that I treated the seventh inning like I was closing the game out. I felt like if I put up a zero, it’s game over.”

Thompson notes that it’s also important to have guys in the bullpen that can come in a difficult situation when called upon.

“Having defined roles is important but also it doesn’t always work out that way. The season, the games don’t go perfectly all the time,” Thompson said.

“You need to be able to have guys that are called the firemen or whatever it is that can come in with bases loaded, one out in the fifth inning, maybe even throw 1.2 (innings) that can roll with the punches and come in any different situation. Those roles are extremely important to a team. You can have your seventh, eighth, ninth inning guys locked down but if you don’t have that guy that can come in and be comfortable in any situation, you’re not gonna win many games.”

Related

Spring training or not, Trey Mancini not taking walk-off home run for grantedDiamondbacks' Torey Lovullo continues to 'agonize' over Opening Day starterMLB.com: D-backs' pitching staff among best in MajorsMaking the case for Diamondbacks closer candidates as season nearsDiamondbacks-Guardians in rain delay after benches-clearing rumbleDiamondbacks fans react as Dodgers land Cy Young ace Tarik Skubal in blockbuster move