Rays 2009 player preview: Joe Nelson

March 5, 5:45 PMTampa Bay Rays ExaminerRob Quinn

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Nelson needs to hit the mound so we can get a Rays photo! 

Paging Joe Nelson, paging Joe Nelson! The newly acquired righty has yet to appear in a Spring Training game for the Rays, and I, for one, am very anxious to see him pitch. The term "relative anonymity" does not begin to describe the place where Joe toiled for the Florida Marlins last year. The correct phrase should probably be more like complete, super-ninja, witness-protection obscurity. The Marlins were pretty much never on national TV and only the most die-hard fans got to see much of Nelson. The guy posted an amazing 2.00 ERA in 54 innings last year, and still nobody has even heard of him. Even Marlins’ fans probably don’t know who he is.

I’ve already detailed Nelson’s amazing story from injury-plagued journeyman to bullpen stalwart last year for the Marlins. You can get the back story right here. But for now, let’s concern ourselves with 2009. Will "Journeyman Joe" consolidate his great season of a year ago into some respect and recognition? The Rays have $1.3 million riding on the belief he will come through.

Here are some key stats from Joe’s 2008 breakout year:

• Second in the NL in ERA among relievers (Brad Lidge was first)
• Fifth among NL relievers in stranding runners (84.8%)
• Second among NL relievers in most popouts induced (20.8%)
• Second among NL relievers in most changeups thrown (32.8%)
• Tied for seventh among NL relievers in most swings and misses (27.6% of swings)

Nelson is a two-pitch pitcher. He features just a fastball and a changeup. Hey, Trevor Hoffman’s made a pretty decent career out of the bullpen throwing those two pitches. There’s no reason Joe Nelson can’t do the same. Actually, Nelson’s approach last year modeled a typical Hoffman approach and it translated into great success.

My 2009 prediction: 65 G, 63 IP, 59 K, 3-3, 3.23 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 2 SV

He probably won’t duplicate the astounding numbers he put up last year, but he will definitely do what is asked of him by Joe Maddon. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: How can you not root for this guy?!

Joe Nelson on Baseball Reference

Joe Nelson on FanGraphs

Joe Nelson on RetroSheet

Got something to say about "Journeyman Joe"? Let me know in a comment.

Have a story idea you are just dying to share with me? Need someone to accompany you to a Journey concert? E-mail me at raysexaminer@live.com.

I am also the co-host of "Speaking of Sports" with Tampa Bay Sports Examiner Ted Fleming and Althea Pashman. The show airs from 7-9 p.m. each Sunday night on WSRQ 1220 AM Sarasota. Listen live here.