“Mad Dog” on the Loose: Warner Madrigal Is Making a Strong Bid to be Rangers Setup Man

SURPRISE, Ariz. _ There are certain attributes managers and pitching coaches look for in an eighth-inning “setup” reliever.

Said Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux: “He’s aggressive. He works quickly to go right after people. He has conviction, believes in himself and his stuff.”

Funny thing: Maddux wasn’t exactly talking about the profile for a setup reliever following the Rangers’ 4-1 loss to Kansas City Friday in a split-squad game. He was talking about right-hander Warner Madrigal.

They may, however, be one and the same.

Even though manager Ron Washington didn’t see the performance first hand because he was at the team’s other split squad game, he was sure to hear a lot about it after he returned. Madrigal, called the “Mad Dog,” by teammates,  plowed through the Kansas City lineup with a fastball that ranged from 92-94 mph and a split-finger offspeed pitch that burrowed into the dirt.

It took Madrigal just 11 pitches to finish off his perfect inning. That followed an eight-pitch inning on March 7. He needed 14 pitches in the outing before that. In all, he’s gone four innings, allowed a run (it came in the first outing), struck out three and – perhaps most importantly – walked zero.

“It’s too early for me to tell you who he reminds me of,” said bench coach Jackie Moore, who managed the team that played in Surprise. “But I know he reminds me of somebody with a real good arm. I’ll tell [Washington] he went out there and took charge, which is what we are looking for.”

When it comes to constructing a bullpen, the Rangers have some issues. There are eight guys for four open spots, including two long relievers and two middle/setup relievers. The Rangers have two left-handed setup men in Eddie Guardado and C.J. Wilson, but they haven’t settled on a right-hander who could pitch in that role when needed. They have Brendon Donnelly and Derek Turnbow, both experienced in late-inning situations, in camp. But both are on minor league contracts and neither is promised a job.

Right-handers Josh Rupe and Dustin Nippert both appear to be better fits for long relief than as set up men.

That leaves an opening for Madrigal to squeeze through. A year ago, the fire-hydrant shaped converted outfielder might not have been able to squeeze through such a hole, but there is less of Madrigal now. He dropped about 12 pounds over the winter and that’s helped take some strain off his back. In his rookie season, Madrigal was used mostly in middle and mop-up relief.Madrigal, who could be sent to the minors more easily than any of the veterans in the competition, is nonetheless aiming to take the next step.

“I worked hard,” said Madrigal, who made his major league debut last year after not pitching above low Class A in 2006 and 2007. “I feel much stronger. I had too much weight last year. I couldn’t make it through all of our sprints. Now, I’m able to finish everything. I feel very comfortable right now. I faced major league hitters last year and I know I can get them out.”

He demonstrated some of his new found quickness on Friday. He used a split finger fastball to get Kansas City’s Ross Gload to beat the ball into the ground. Madrigal jumped off the mound with ease, fielded the roller and sprinted to first for the unassisted out.

Maddux isn’t about to start slotting the relievers into different roles. That job belongs to Washington and general manager Jon Daniels.

But ask him if Madrigal could fill that role and he’s much more likely to provide an answer.

“From what I’ve seen thus far, he could,” Maddux said. “He’s doing everything we could ask.”