Bullpen Report: April 2, 2016

  • The Phillies have not named a closer yet, and it’s not as if they have an answer and are not telling anybody. For now, our chart lists David Hernandez as the closer despite giving up a home run to the Phillies future squad. One time closer favorite Andrew Bailey has been demoted to the minors, along with Ernesto Frieri. Hernandez has appeared in 5 games this spring, and has surrendered a run in two of them. Dalier Hinojosa is not out of the picture to close games, but has struggled this spring giving up three home runs 8.2 innings. I’d avoid this situation unless you are in the deepest of leagues. Hernandez very strong numbers in Arizona in 2011 and 2012, so that would take some serious optimism to think he could get back to those numbers.
  • Bruce Bochy sticks with the vets so Hunter Strickland will not set-up Casilla in the pen. For fantasy purposes, this doesn’t really help Strickland’s cause. Even if you are in a holds league, this will eliminate some of those opportunities. Still, if Casilla does stumble, there is good reason to think Strickland might be the top guy to take over that role even if he is not setting up. Sergio Romo had a chance to capture the closer role last season and struggled, so I am not too sure if Bochy would go right back to Romo if a change is needed.
  • A guy to keep an eye on is Silvino Bracho who has made the Arizona MLB roster. Bracho has put up high strikeout numbers at every level (well, except AAA which he skipped to go right to the MLB last season). He still has a few guys to jump over to garner serious interest for a closer role, but could move up quickly if he keeps repeating his past numbers. Last season in A, AA and the majors, he pitched over 63 innings with 91 K’s and 14 walks. He’ll be an interesting watch in the pros if he can keep it up.
  • Updating the closer grid is a process as teams figure out their bullpen situations and I have updated the Phillies situation below. As always, please keep giving us feedback as we perfect the grid before the season starts.

Closer Grid:

Closer First Second DL/Minors
Arizona Brad Ziegler Tyler Clippard Daniel Hudson
Atlanta Jason Grilli Arodys Vizcaino Jim Johnson
Baltimore Zach Britton Darren O’Day Mychal Givens
Boston Craig Kimbrel Koji Uehara Junichi Tazawa Carson Smith
CHI (NL) Hector Rondon Pedro Strop Justin Grimm
CHI (AL) David Robertson Jacob Petricka Nate Jones
Cincy J.J. Hoover Jumbo Diaz Tony Cingrani
Cleveland Cody Allen Bryan Shaw Zach McAllister
Colorado Jake McGee Jason Motte Chad Qualls Adam Ottavino
Detroit Francisco Rodriguez Mark Lowe Justin Wilson Bruce Rondon
Houston Ken Giles Luke Gregerson Pat Neshek
KC Wade Davis Joakim Soria Kelvin Herrera
LAA Huston Street Joe Smith Fernando Salas
LAD Kenley Jansen Chris Hatcher Yimi Garcia
Miami A.J. Ramos Mike Dunn Bryan Morris Carter Capps
Milwaukee Jeremy Jeffress Corey Knebel Michael Blazek Will Smith
Minnesota Glen Perkins Kevin Jepsen Trevor May
NY (NL) Jeurys Familia Addison Reed Hansel Robles
NY (AL) Andrew Miller Dellin Betances Jacob Lindgren Aroldis Chapman
Oakland Sean Doolittle John Axford Ryan Madson
Philly David Hernandez Dalier Hinojosa Jeanmar Gomez Andrew Bailey
Pittsburgh Mark Melancon Tony Watson Neftali Feliz
St. Louis Trevor Rosenthal Kevin Siegrist Jonathan Broxton
SD Fernando Rodney Kevin Quackenbush Brandon Maurer
SF Santiago Casilla Sergio Romo Hunter Strickland
Seattle Steve Cishek Joaquin Benoit Tony Zych
TB Alex Colome Danny Farquharr Xavier Cedeno Brad Boxberger
Texas Shawn Tolleson Keone Kela Tom Wilhelmsen
Toronto Roberto Osuna Drew Storen Brett Cecil
Wash. Jonathan Papelbon Shawn Kelley Blake Treinen

[Green light, yellow light, red light: the colors represent the volatility of the bullpen order.]





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josephd10
7 years ago

Corey Knebel is on the DL, btw.