What is SU in Baseball? In baseball, “SU” stands for “Set Up Pitcher” or “Set Up Man”. This is the pitcher who comes in to pitch right after the team’s starter leaves the game. The SU pitcher’s job is to get the other team out and keep them from scoring any more runs.
What is SU in Baseball?
A setup pitcher is the reliever that comes into a game before the closer and typically pitches one or two innings. Set-up pitchers usually face more than three batters in their appearances, but less often than closers.
They are generally charged with protecting a late lead by retiring hitters from either side of the plate; if there is no such lead to protect, they will often pitch to one batter only.
A setup pitcher is typically used in the “middle innings’ ‘ of a game before the closer comes into play and pitches for an inning or two at most.
The reason many baseball fans may not be familiar with the term ‘Set Up Pitcher’ is because the role of a set up pitcher is typically assumed by the ‘Closer’.
The Set Up Pitcher will have an inning or innings where he’s not as aggressive and may allow runs to score, but for the most part they are solid pitchers that hold down opponents until their job is done (and it allows them more rest during the game).
Some notable examples of set up pitchers in baseball are Darren O’Day who pitches for the Baltimore Orioles and Tyler Clippard who pitches for the New York Yankees.
While these players may not be household names, they are extremely important to their teams and play a big role in getting them wins.
What exactly is the Set Up Pitcher Position in Baseball?
The Set Up Pitcher Position is when the pitcher stands on the mound in their normal pitching stance but they don’t throw pitches. Instead, they wait for the opposing team to hit the ball and then they try to get the out. This position is used mostly in pinch hitting or late-inning situations when the score is close.
It all depends on how deep into the game it is and what each team’s strategy happens to be. It gets more complicated in some cases because the opposing teams manager may change their designated hitter (DH) position for a pinch hitter, or they can put in a player who would usually be in the outfield to hit for the designated hitter.
It’s an important job because this is the pitcher’s chance to show that they can still get the out even if they’re not throwing pitches. It’s also a way to give them a break from pitching so they don’t get too tired. In some cases, the manager may use the Set Up Pitcher Position to save their best pitcher for later in the game.
Set Up Pitcher “SU” Roles
The set up man or pitcher usually pitches the 8th inning of a game. With runners on base averaging around .2-.3 innings per outing–with occasional games where they pitch the whole inning. The Set up pitcher’s job is to preserve the lead and get it into the hands (or gloves) of the closer. They may only face 3-4 batters and only get the last out of an inning about one in three times.
The set-up man is usually brought in during games when his team is leading by one or two runs. A pitcher is only credited with a hold if he enters in a save situation with the tying run already on base, at bat, or on deck, and records at least one out.
A “relief ace” is sometimes called upon to pitch three or four innings in long relief when his team has a comfortable lead, or when the game is in a close situation but his team does not want to use its best relief pitcher.
A lot can be said about a good set up pitcher. They need to have a variety of pitches to use–can’t just throw fastballs and sliders or curve balls. The set up man/pitcher needs to have great control, good location, and be able to mix up his pitches. Also, they need to be able to hold runners on base.
The set up pitcher needs to have a “complete game” mentality. That is, he needs to go out there and give it his all for every inning he pitches–not just the 8th inning.
A setup pitcher can come from the bullpen, but it is also possible for a starting pitcher to move into the set up role.
Some examples of successful set up pitchers are Mariano Rivera, Todd Jones, and Joe Nathan. Currently Huston Street has the job in Oakland while Joaquin Benoit does it for Detroit.
Set Up Pitcher “SU” Responsibilities
In baseball, the set up pitcher or set up man is a relief pitcher who precedes the team’s closer in the pitching rotation. The role of the set up man is to bridge the gap between the starting pitcher and the closer, setting the stage for the closer to finish the game. The set up man is usually a team’s best relief pitcher, and often has better overall statistics than the closer.
The set up man may pitch in the eighth (or sometimes the seventh) inning in games where his team is winning by three or more runs and no runners are on base. Many managers prefer to use their best reliever against the opposing lineup’s best hitters in the eighth inning, regardless of the game situation. If the team is losing or the game is tied, the set up man may pitch in earlier innings.
The set up man’s primary responsibility is to get the lead runner out. He may also be called upon to strike out the side in an important situation. He must be able to pitch effectively on consecutive days.
The set up man is usually the most flexible of all relief pitchers, often being asked to make appearances in “high-leverage” situations (situations where the game could swing more dramatically based upon what transpires) even if he hasn’t pitched in several days. He will generally pitch 15–20 more pitches per outing than the closer.
The set up man is technically a middle reliever, while closers are known as late inning relievers. The terms “middle reliever” and “set-up man” are mostly interchangeable, but some teams may use different titles for their relievers. Thus, it is possible to have two pitchers in the same bullpen with the same role.
The “set up man” is sometimes called a “setup pitcher”, a “closer-in-waiting,” a term coined by former MLB general manager Dan Duquette, or a “co-closer” if two pitchers share the closing responsibilities. The co-closer will usually be the pitcher who is called upon to pitch in the most important situations.
The role of a setup pitcher is not an easy one. He must be able to pitch effectively on consecutive days and often faces some of the best hitters on the other team. Because his job is to prepare the way for the closer, he often has better overall statistics than the closer. The set up man is an important part of any bullpen and deserves the respect he gets.
