We all know the imposing presence that Félix Bautista is on the mound. Nicknamed “The Mountain,” the 6’8″ flamethrower from the Dominican Republic burst onto the scene in a big way last season as a rookie in the O’s bullpen.
Bautista would help form a back-end tandem with Dillon Tate and Cionel Pérez, becoming a 1-2-3 punch after All-Star closer Jorge López was traded to the Minnesota Twins.
It was then that we witnessed the dominating side of Bautista, as he would go on to convert 15 saves across 65 appearances last season as a rookie. This season, Bautista came in as the bonafide closer, and in the first month of the season, he has not disappointed in the least.
The Orioles have won 13 of the 14 games Bautista has pitched in, the one loss coming off a dropped fly ball that would have ended the game. The daunting right-hander has struck out 25 of the 58 batters he has faced this season.
Bautista is 2-1 with a 1.32 ERA with seven saves, ranking third in the AL and fifth in the majors. With his dominating first month, Bautista has been named the American League Reliever of the Month for April.
This is Bautista’s first time winning the award, and he became the second Orioles pitcher (Jim Johnson in May of 2012) to ever have the honors. The NL recipient, left-hander Josh Hader, is a former Orioles product.
Hopefully, this is the first of many accolades not only for Bautista but also for the entire O’s bullpen going forward.
Congratulations to Félix “The Mountain” Bautista on his accomplishment.
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