With his most recent save against the San Francisco Giants, Ryan Helsley set a franchise record for most straight saves.
At the start of the year, Ryan Helsley and manager Oliver Marmol agreed that Helsley would only pitch in save situations. Helsley wants to throw in situations where he could save a game in order to maintain his durability, improve his stuff, and potentially increase his arbitration earnings this offseason.
So far, the plan has proven successful. Helsley has converted all 25 of his save opportunities this year. His latest, against the San Francisco Giants at historic Rickwood Field, set a franchise record for most straight saves in St. Louis Cardinals history. This record has not previously been held by great closers Jason Isringhausen, Bruce Sutter, Trevor Rosenthal, Lee Smith, or Todd Worrell.
Helsley passed on Alex Reyes. Yes, that’s Alex Reyes. The pitching prodigy who suffered injury after injury and was demoted to a relief job for the Cardinals. Reyes set the mark in 2021, his All-Star season and the last time he pitched in the majors.
Helsley has the most saves in Major League Baseball, with 25, followed by Emmanuel Clase of the Cleveland Guardians with 22. The Cardinals’ closer’s previous season high was 19 saves, set in 2022, the same year he made his first All-Star appearance. Helsley appears to be a lock for the All-Star Game in Texas this year, and his league-leading save percentage just adds to his chances.
Ryan Helsley appears to have it all together this year, with a 2.53 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 163 ERA+. Helsley’s strikeout rate of 27.3% is in the middle of his career, but he has improved his walk control over the previous year. However, opposition batters are hitting.The right-handed closer faced 208 batters, which was nearly a career high.
Helsley had a tough stretch near the end of May, giving up four runs in three successive starts, but has calmed in over the month of June. He has not allowed an earned run in all of his appearances except for the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on June 11th, when he gave up two.
Several publications and analysts have identified Helsley as a potential trade candidate, but if the Cardinals keep him, their bullpen will stay strong.
Ryan Helsley might be the Cardinals’ lone All-Star representative. If that’s the case, few contenders are more deserving than the flame-throwing righty. Helsley has etched his name into the St. Louis Cardinals’ history, and an All-Star appearance would be a fitting tribute to his efforts this season.
