Closing out games in the big league isn’t for the faint of heart. But the Arizona Diamondbacks have a full-blown battle going on for getting their hands on their jobs. With opening day just weeks away, they haven’t figured out who they want on the mound. Manager Torey Lovullo has made it clear—he’d rather have one go to closer than play the matchup game each time. But the decision isn’t simple, especially when they have such good options.

Luvullo, along with GM Mike Hazen, is said to be in deep talks, and soon even pitching coaches might step into talks. There is an air of uncertainty in the air, but MLB insider Jon Morosi isn’t worried. For him, it’s a good spot for Arizona to be in.

“Still an open competition right now for the Diamondbacks. And I would say it’s under the category of good problems to have because they can trust any one of these three to be able to close games for them—A.J. Puk, Justin Martinez, and Kevin Ginkel, who has thrived in the setup role,” said Morosi. So among the three—who has the best chance at locking down the ninth inning?

Kevin Ginkel has been a rock for the Arizona Diamondbacks. He has handled some of the toughest moments like a pro, especially if you see his gameplay from last postseason. He finished with a 3.21 ERA and impressive strikeout numbers. In spring training, he spent time fine-tuning his fastball, and his slider is already looking nasty. Their pitching coach, Wellington Cepeda, said he can throw in his sleep—which sums up his potential.

Then there is also A.J. Puk, who came to Arizona Diamondbacks from Miami right at the deadline. And he was point-blank untouchable for the first two months. When the team moved off Paul Sewald as a closer, Puk was the one who stepped in. He was among the top-5  best strikeout pitchers in the game. And even now in spring training, he is on a roll, as he tossed four scoreless innings with five strikeouts.

Finally, there is also Justin Martinez. The 23-year-old is throwing 103 mph heaters this spring. Everyone is going, “This kid is unreal.” But his splitter—that’s impressive. Opponents slugged just .122 against it last season. The only thing that can hold him back is his control. But if he can manage that, he has got the closer written on him.

Right now, Arizona has three race leaders here. But if you thought these were the only names in the mix, well, there just might be a wild card surprise waiting in the wings.

Arizona Diamondbacks has a wild card closer

There is another name who is a “wild card” in the closer mix—Ryan Thompson. He has been a steady force in the Arizona Diamondbacks since 2023. While he is not one of the most talked-about options in the ninth-inning mix, he is still there. As for Thompson, even he acknowledges this uncertainty around the closer role, and for him, it’s a positive sign. “It’s an easy but very hard decision—which is a beautiful thing. There are five or six of us who could do the job, but how do you pick?” said Thompson on Wolf & Luke Friday.

Last season, he pitched 66 innings with a 7-5 record, 52 strikeouts, a 3.26 ERA, and a 1.19 WHIP. He had a few opportunities, converting two of nine save chances. And so far this spring, he has recorded a 3.38 ERA with three strikeouts and 1.13 WHIP. Plus, Thompson is all for the decision of the team wanting to go for the set closer. That’s because, for him, it brings stability to the entire bullpen. “When everyone knows their job, the bullpen runs smoother,” he explained. And it’s true because, without a defined closer, relievers do have to constantly adjust to the situations presented to them.

Arizona’s 2023 playoff run is one of the prime examples of how a structured bullpen can only help. That year Thompson had taken on the role of the seventh-inning guy, and he trusted Kevin Ginkel and Paul Sewald to handle the eighth and ninth innings. And in an interview, he said, “I treated the seventh inning like I was closing the game out.” But yes, while a set plan is needed, flexibility is crucial too. And if they do, Arizona sure does have plenty of options in the roster. As everyone pointed out, “it’s a good thing.”

Do you too think that having a structured plan is the smart way to go? Let us know your thoughts.