Bullpen Report: April 18, 2018
• Something might be brewing in Milwaukee as Josh Hader recorded another six out save for his second of the year. Since his last two save opportunities came via the two inning variety, it’s still unlikely that he’s used as a traditional closer so consistent saves while Corey Knebel is on the shelf may be unlikely. But, things are still s trending in the right direction, especially if Matt Albers and Jacob Barnes are less than stellar. Regardless of save opportunties, Hader is becoming one of the most valuable relievers and on the season Hader has 25 strikeouts in 11.2 innings supporting a 61% K% and a 0.21 SIERA. Damn.
• After four straight scoreless appearances, Kenley Jansen gave up two runs last night to the Padres for his second blown save on the year. There has been velocity talk all year corresponding with Jansen’s early struggles, and he’s still not quite where he was last year. It’s hard to say that Jansen’s job isn’t safe, as we fully expect Roberts to give him the next save opportunity but his 8.10 ERA and 8.15 FIP leave a lot to be desired, obviously. His 3.87 SIERA paints a slightly better story suggesting a poor man’s Jansen is still useful but if he’s hiding an injury or continues to blow saves like this expect Josh Fields to be the leading candidate for saves. Also lingering is Pedro Baez who got all four outs last night via the strikeout and has a 1.04 ERA and 1.82 SIERA with a 36.4% K%.
• Although the Cardinals spent a ton of money to bring in Greg Holland, it’s Bud Norris who continues to see saves. Norris recorded the last five outs for his fourth save of the year and now has a 1.93 ERA, 0.77 SIERA and an impressive 17/1 K/BB early this season. The Cardinals are maintaining that Holland will likely be their closer but he gave up three baserunners and two runs without recording an out in the seventh inning tonight. The Cardinals were letting him get on track in non-save situations but he might have to figure this out in the minors or in low leverage innings. If he starts pitching better we can expect him to see the ninth but so long as Bud Norris is pitching like this he’s still far off from saves. Dominic Leone, Tyler Lyons and Jordan Hicks should all be in the mix setting up Norris with Luke Gregerson also factoring in. Gregerson was activated off the DL on Monday, and depending how he looks in his first few appearances will dictate his placement on the totem pole.
• Ken Giles struggles this year hasn’t hurt owners ERA (like Jansen has) as he’s only allowed one run in five innings pitched, but it has hurt their save totals as he only has one on the year. While he might be the “closer” the Astros are looking to mix and match and Chris Devenski received and recorded his second save last night against the Mariners. I would still bet on Ken Giles end of season save total being the highest on the team but it’s pretty clear that owners who expected a closer on a top team may not get the amount of saves they originally expected.
• Quick Hits: After a loss in his last appearances where he also struck out three batters, Doolittle recorded a perfect ninth with two strikeouts for his third save of the year. Doolittle has been fantastic this year and should start to rack up more saves as the Nationals are starting to string a few wins together. Wade Davis also threw a perfect ninth for a save, his eighth of the year. With a recent history of some injury flare ups and now pitching in Colorado, I’d lean towards selling high on Davis this year but he has been better than expected in Colorado thus far. Shane Greene struggled early this year but he recorded his third save last night and has been scoreless in his last five appearances.
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
Never thought I’d see the day when Jansen was yellow.
In mid April.
Maybe an aggressive move but I think it would be more prudent to jump on Fields/Baez than to be too slow.
That day comes for all of us, my friend.
Thoughts on Brach being used in the 7th inning last night? Just getting some work in after not pitching for about a week or something to worry about going forward? Drop him or Senzel for Hader?
I think just getting work in, he’s firmed up his role since O’Day was knocking.
But, it’s worth mentioning if the O’s had come back he wouldn’t have been closing…
It would be weird if right as Brach was closing without issue he was removed from the role but I guess consider this a slight committee as that was mentioned to start the year. I still expect Brach to be the closer unless he pitches poorly of course.
Hansel Robles is in AAA, nevermind being a high-leverage reliever
Agreed. Gsellman needs to be on this grid at this point. Numbers have been too good and Callaway has been leaning on him.
Blake Parker or Tyler Lyons? Does it change view if it is a Saves+Holds league?
Not a big fan of either but Parker has just been brutal this year. Got blown up in Spring Training too, and just pitched in mop up duty in a blowout loss to the Red Sox last night.
Parker might move off the grid
Meant Blake wood. But when I am too dumb to type the right name….
I’ll acknowledge I’m biased since I picked up Norris, but he looks good in the closer role. To me he looks like yet another failed starter who is a very good in the pen when you add a couple ticks to the fastball. I’m not so sure Holland necessarily gets the role even if he gets back to pitching well. The Cards only signed him to a 1 year deal so it’s not like they have some long-term commitment to him. I think if Norris continues to pitch well, it’s his to keep. He probably won’t keep running a 1.93 ERA because he’s still giving up some loud contact, but Baseball Savant has him with a .308 xwOBA so far which is pretty good.
A) Its not just $14 million, they also gave up picks for Holland. When he is right he will close.
B) Norris is not good and will start walking batters reverting towards his mediocre projections.
I’d trade Norris asap if anyone values him.
I agree with Pirates- had Norris last year when he was off to a good start with the Angels, then he melted down in the second half. You can probably milk it for another couple of weeks but I’d look to sell high too. 94% LOB% says he’s been a bit lucky thus far.
“had Norris last year when he was off to a good start with the Angels, then he melted down in the second half”.
Which is exactly the same thing happened to 2017 Holland.
Except he didn’t, he had a bad stretch and then was dominant the rest of the way
What needs to happen for Ziegler to get out of the way and let one of those super exciting setup guys become highly valued fantasy closers?
Some combination of:
1.) The Marlins need to actual want to win games.
2.) They need to make sure any saves won’t positively affect someone’s arbitration numbers.
3.) They need the saves to increase the trade value of the pitcher so they can flip them for more at the trade deadline.
Being a Giles owner right now is painful
The worst. I expected high save totals on a good team and it’s kind of anyone’s guess moving forward. He’s put together insane stretches in his time so that can happen again, but he may not be the everyday closer that was expected.
Usage says Devenski is the closer (last two save opps and pitching in the top of the 9th in a tied game) regardless of whatever the manager is saying.
Milwaukee can officially be red with ??? down the line …