“J.J. Putz was one of the great stories of the 2006 baseball season,” Bavasi said. “He took over the closer’s role and was simply dominant; when he was called on he really thrived in that ninth-inning pressure. It’s a good feeling to know that J.J. is going to anchor our bullpen for the foreseeable future.”
A native of Trenton, Mich., who attended the University of Michigan, Putz tied for the fourth-highest save total in Seattle franchise history last year with 36 in just his second full Major League season. He was 4-1 with a 2.30 ERA (20ER/78.1IP) in a career-high 72 appearances. Putz was 1-1 with a 1.70 ERA (9ER/47.2IP) in save opportunities (36-for-43). He struck out 61 with 7 walks and the Mariners were 38-5 when he took the mound with a save opportunity.
Putz, who turns 30 Feb. 22, was named the Mariners Most Valuable Pitcher by the Seattle Chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America. He was also chosen the National Amateur Baseball Federation 2006 Graduate of the Year.
“J.J. was just nails for us last season,” Mariners manager Mike Hargrove said. “One of the things I really admired was his willingness to take the ball whenever we needed him to. He isn’t afraid to come into a game with men on base, or to pitch more than one inning.”
Putz pitched more than one inning in nearly a quarter of his save opportunities last season (10 of 43).
Putz was 3-1 with 34 saves and a 2.30 ERA (16ER/62.2IP) in 57 appearances after being inserted into the closer’s role (May 6-end of season). He converted 13 consecutive save opportunities from May 6 until July 6. He also allowed just four homers in 2006, none from April 6 through July 22.
The 6-foot-5, 250-pound Putz led all American League relievers with a career-best 104 strikeouts while walking only 13 (including one intentional walk). Only Bill Caudill (111, 1982) notched more single-season strikeouts all-time among Seattle relief pitchers.
Putz, who has spent his entire career with the Mariners organization, has a career Major League record of 10-9 with 46 saves and a 3.47 ERA (79ER/205.0IP) in 193 relief appearances. He was Seattle’s sixth-round selection in the June 1999 draft.