D-backs’ Brad Ziegler: ‘We feel like we are the best bullpen in baseball’

Feb 15, 2013, 9:24 PM | Updated: 10:52 pm
LISTEN: Brad Ziegler, D-backs Relief Pitcher

Arizona Diamondbacks general manager Kevin Towers focused a lot of his attention this offseason on crafting one of major league baseball’s elite bullpens.

Towers added veteran Heath Bell, Tony Sipp and Matt Reynolds to a cast that already includes closer J.J. Putz, David Hernandez, Josh Collmenter and ground ball specialist Brad Ziegler.

Ziegler assumed a pivotal role in the D-backs bullpen late in games last season. The right-hander posted a 6-1 record with a 2.49 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 17 holds and 42 strikeouts in 68.2 IP.

The 33-year-old reliever thinks the D-backs bullpen could indeed prove to be the game’s best.

“On paper sky’s the limit,” Ziegler told Arizona Sports 620’s Burns & Gambo Friday. “I don’t think there’s any question we feel like we are the best bullpen in baseball and now it’s just a matter of going out and proving it.”

The importance of building a standout bullpen is crucial when constructing a winning ball club, and Ziegler is confident the D-backs’ relievers ability to close out games consistently will help them contend in a deep NL West.

“I think it’s a huge point,” Ziegler said. “Having starters that can go deep into games, keep us in games is huge. Then we have guys that are not going to give up leads that helps give the whole team confidence.”

Ziegler knows despite the strength of the bullpen on paper, it’s up to the players to go out on a nightly basis and prove they are worthy of the offseason accolades bestowed upon them.

“No one’s going to hand it to us late in the game. We got to go out and execute pitches and go out and do the little things,” Ziegler said. “You’ve got to focus every single pitch, get your one inning in there, get out of the game and let the guys after you take care of the business.”

Arizona Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson watches a spring training baseball workout Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Arizona Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson watches a spring training baseball workout Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz.(AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Arizona Diamondbacks' Nick Ahmed takes a throw during an unofficial spring training baseball workout Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013, in Scottsdale. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Arizona Diamondbacks' Eric Chavez hits during an unofficial spring training baseball workout Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Arizona Diamondbacks' Willie Bloomquist fields a ground ball during an unofficial spring training baseball workout Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Arizona Diamondbacks' Paul Goldschmidt tosses the baseball during an unofficial spring training baseball workout Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Arizona Diamondbacks' Chris Owings makes a throw during an unofficial spring training baseball workout Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Arizona Diamondbacks stretch at a spring training baseball workout on Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Fans watch as the Arizona Diamondbacks run at a spring training baseball workout on Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Arizona Diamondbacks' Brandon McCarthy stretches at a spring training baseball workout on Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Arizona Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson, right, talks with Tony Sipp during a spring training baseball workout on Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Arizona Diamondbacks stretch at a spring training baseball workout on Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Arizona Diamondbacks stretch at a spring training baseball workout on Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Arizona Diamondbacks' Wil Nieves stretches at a spring training baseball workout on Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Arizona Diamondbacks' Matt Davidson, left, awaits a throw while Martin Prado watches during a spring training baseball workout on Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Arizona Diamondbacks' Martin Prado throws during a spring training baseball workout on Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Arizona Diamondbacks' Brandon McCarthy throws during a spring training baseball workout on Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Arizona Diamondbacks' Aaron Hill makes a catch at second base during a spring training baseball workout on Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Arizona Diamondbacks' Trevor Cahill bunts during a spring training baseball workout on Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Arizona Diamondbacks' Willie Bloomquist makes a throw during a baseball spring training workout Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Arizona Diamondbacks' Matt Davidson takes batting practice in a cage during a spring training baseball workout Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013 in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) A basket of baseballs are seen as Arizona Diamondbacks players take batting practice in a cage during a spring training baseball workout Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013 in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

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