Tate: ‘I still don’t feel settled’
Dillon Tate can be happy with his 2022 season. He should probably be happy.
How he led the Orioles in appearances with 67 and also set a career high in innings. How he posted the lowest ERA and walking average in his four years in the majors. How he became a trusted late-inning reliever on a team contending with 16 catches and five saves as a closer substitute.
Happy, ecstatic… but not satisfied.
I didn’t expect Tate to treat the summer so casually when I researched his personal thoughts ahead of Wednesday’s doubleheader. But he is not ready to relax. He can’t do that and goes against his competitive nature.
He must remain faithful to her.
“I’m proud of what I’ve done this year. I still don’t feel like I’m established yet,” he said.
“It’s really my first round in this situation, where I’ve been in constant high leverage rounds. I don’t think you can really start from a single sample size. I think the story is still being written so my thinking is to keep refining what I have and finding ways to improve and get to a position where I’m consistently in those positions with high leverage.
It looks like he’s already got there, but Tate’s perspective is the only one that matters.
“I would like four, five, six years of high leverage situations if I can,” he said. “So I’m happy with how this year has gone. I just need to keep working.
Tate’s ERA had fallen to 2.66 before being twice charged with two runs in his last three appearances, including Game 2 of the doubleheader, when he ran the bases loaded with two outs in eighth and Beau Sulser let two legacy runners score. The final ERA of 3.05 was the highest since April 21, illustrating how good he was and how difficult it is to pitch in October.
Tate gave up an earned run only twice in 18 outings from April 23 to June 10. He then chained nine consecutive goalless appearances from July 10 to August 10. 2.
JD Martinez’s two-run homer on Sept. 29 at Fenway Park was only the sixth Tate allowed this season in 73 2/3 innings. Tate hadn’t walked multiple batters since July 16.
The right-hander’s 2.0 walks per nine innings went from 3.1 in 67 2/3 innings in 2021. His WHIP went from 1.241 to .991.
Heading into the final day, Tate had thrown 721 of 1,055 pitches for strikes to record the sixth-best percentage (68.3) among major league relievers with a 1,000 minimum. His lead was minus- 21 tied for eighth most in any pitch in the majors in a minimum of 50 plate appearances, according to Statcast.
Tate is the Orioles’ nominee for the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award. He was chosen to represent Team USA next March at the World Baseball Classic.
Maybe this guy should have his own video and light show.
“Dillon’s Landing.” Or maybe “Dillon is coming”.
We will continue to work on it.
The bullpen showed more stretch cracks but compiled a 3.49 ERA that ranked ninth in the majors. It was last seen in 2021 at 5.70.
“Just proud, really. Proud of the guys, the effort they put in. Not just the bullpen, but the whole team in general,” Tate said.
“I’m grateful to all the guys who lay down, who put their bodies on the line, who didn’t feel good when it was time to get out there and play. All in all, it was great teamwork, and the progress we’ve made this year has been great, so I’m delighted.
I always go back to April 4, the night relievers Cole Sulser and Tanner Scott were traded to the Marlins. Shortly after, manager Brandon Hyde spoke of the uncertainty at the back of the bullpen, with Opening Day less than a week away.
The Orioles weren’t surrendering, but long-term goals remained a priority. And the trade created space on the 40-man roster while providing opportunities for other relievers with minor league histories and nothing beyond.
“I think it’s just the merit of the front office,” Tate said. “They know exactly what they’re doing and they know exactly what they want and how they’re going to get the job done. We lost those guys, but we ended up having so much more to come and fill those roles. Thank you for that, and the effort the bullpen has put in this year has been incredible. We’ve definitely exceeded expectations and we’re definitely looking to move things in the right direction. »
Tate is 28 and eligible for arbitration for the first time, a nice boost after earning $711,500 this season. He went from high prospect as the fourth overall pick in the 2015 draft to veteran mentor in the Orioles bullpen. He’s the guy who has the experience and the qualifications to lead.
The baseball life comes fast to you.
“It was really, really weird to me, because I was always looking at Paulie (Fry) and Tanner, ‘Hey, what time are we going out? What time are we going to get the guys together to go over there ?” he said. “It’s interesting and I feel like it’s a lot of responsibility.
“As a guy, I just want to make sure I’m doing what I’m supposed to do so people say, ‘Hey, this is what I’m going to do, this is the example I’ve been. shown and that’s how we do things. I just make sure I’m a good role model, that I walk like that, so the guys follow suit.
