(Belated) Bullpen Report: August 15, 2016
• Andrew Miller threw two perfect frames Sunday but considering it was the seventh and eighth innings, I’m going to flip him and Cody Allen who saved the game (22) throwing a perfect inning of his own. It goes without say that Andrew Miller is still a must own and will continue to see save opportunities this season but Allen is deserving of the first spot on the grid at this time.
• After a leadoff double and a walk, Craig Kimbrel was able to leave both runners stranded to hold onto the save (20). Kimbrel missed some time earlier this season with a knee injury and it was tweaked last week so it’s nice to see him put up the save with two strikeouts even though he got himself in a tad of trouble earlier in the inning. Any team, fantasy or real, would be happy with Kimbrel as their closer but with a minor injury and elevated walk rate this year his time as a Tier One closer might be done. This has more to do with others (Dellin Betances, Edwin Diaz, etc.) entering the elite group than Kimbrel’s demise but he likely won’t be the top three or so closers taken in drafts next year.
• Kelvin Herrera threw a perfect frame for his fifth save with Wade Davis on then shelf. Davis continues to move along but there is no timetable for his return. Expect the Royals to be cautious with his return as it has been an ongoing issue (forearm) and he’s still under contract for next year. Whatever the line is for Davis coming back, I think I would bet the over. With the Royals out of the race and unlikely to try a complete rebuild, they could even shut Davis down. Herrera should see most of the save opportunities until the end of the season.
• Quick Hits: Fernando Rodney saved his 21st game of the season and his fourth for the Marlins. The Marlins would love a quick return by A.J. Ramos but he remains on the DL with a fractured finger which will keep David Phelps in the rotation. Dellin Betances threw a scoreless ninth for his fifth save on the Yankees and he now has a 45% strikeout rate and a 53% groundball percentage on the season. Good luck hitters! Matt Bush continued his successful season throwing a perfect eighth to set up Sam Dyson with the save (27). Other teams have flashier late inning options but Shawn Kelley –> Mark Melancon is one of the better ones and they each put up zeros last night. Edwin Diaz only needed five pitches to record his seventh save on the year. Diaz’ strikeout rate has fallen from the best of all time to simply Betances level but he’s still pitching to a 1.64/1.68/1.51 ERA/FIP/xFIP line with a 44% strikeout rate. Tough question – What round will Diaz be drafted in next year?
Closer Grid:
[Green light, yellow light, red light: the colors represent the volatility of the bullpen order.]
When he's not focusing on every team's bullpen situation, Ben can be found blogging at Ben's Baseball Bias and on Twitter @BensBias
Has Jim Johnson pitched well enough to keep his role as closer once Arodys returns?
Great question and I might be leaning yes. Arodys might come back later this week but who knows how effective he’ll be. I don’t think the Braves will throw him right into the fire so it might be a little while before he’s up in the majors, pitching well and then closing. This is all for naught if JJ fails but he’s been great of late.
Aren’t the Braves trying to work out some sort of waivers deal for Jim Johnson potentially? (http://www.todaysknuckleball.com/inside-baseball-with-jon-heyman/heyman-inside-look-yankees-sale-may-come-next/) That might affect his chances of staying the Braves’ closer.