Bullpen Report: April 5, 2018

While many pondered the potential outcomes when deciding on taking Ken Giles in preseason drafts and auctions, Brad Peacock emerged as a popular target in the later rounds. In spite of his transition to the bullpen to start the year, Peacock’s 13 wins, 29.5 strikeout percentage and 161 strikeouts over 132 innings in 2017 made him an interesting pitcher to pair with Charlie Morton or an upside arm to deploy as a reliever with starting pitcher eligibility in leagues which use designations. After two strong innings on Wednesday, the Astros opted to leave Peacock in for three innings and the win rather than adhere to standard procedure by using their closer, Ken Giles to secure the last three outs against the Orioles.

There’s not reason for panic by Giles owners, yet at least, since leaving Peacock, while in a rhythm, translated into him retiring nine of the 11 hitters he faced. Peacock whiffed five of them, allowed two hits and issued zero walks. All told, Peacock threw 39 pitches in three innings generating 12 swinging strikes (30.8 swinging strike percentage in the appearance) and notching his, and Houston’s first save of the season. A.J. Hinch proved last postseason he would not be averse to using pitchers in roles outside the popular think box to close out games with Lance McCullers Jr. taking over high leverage last October. It’s a marathon of a season and Giles owners have reason to be upset, but it’s not time to panic, yet. Houston’s powerful offense could also cut into potential save chances as the year progresses, so Giles owners need to plan accordingly.

Carrying the torch of starting pitchers doing well in relief roles, Robert Gsellman of the Mets won his first game working two strong innings of relief on Wednesday. During his outing, Gsellman turned in two clean innings with three strikeouts. On the season, he’s faced 13 batters with seven strikeouts yielding a robust 53.9 strikeout percentage and only two hits during his 3.2 innings. Deploying him in formats which allow Gsellman to occupy a starting pitcher slot to help ratios makes sense while he’s pitching well in relief. Gsellman may finally reach fantasy relevance, just not in the role we thought.

After participating in a 13 inning extra inning affair using all nine of its relievers, there’s still no clarity as to who will receive the next save chance for the Angels. Of course, anyone who’s tried to predict the machinations of Mike Scioscia realizes this will not be an easy task. Last season, eight different relievers accrued at least one save with Bud Norris leading the way with 19 and the other seven not reaching double digits. However, Blake Parker seemed to end the year in the role with a strong finish after Norris ceded the role due to injury and performance. Parker’s initial results this season once again opened the door for speculation, fueled by Keynan Middleton’s hot start and knowledge he owns the team’s only save this year.

Further muddying the water, Jim Johnson turned in another clean outing on Wednesday and he’s retired 14 of the last 15 batters he’s faced in 2018. Ignoring Scioscia’s penchant for veterans with closing experience would be near sighted, but it’s purely speculative at this point. For most, avoiding this potential soap opera of as the Scioscia turns in high leverage innings will save headaches. As for yesterday, Johnson recorded the last out in the fourth inning and two in the fifth. Middleton pitched the eighth and ninth innings allowing two base runners with two strikeouts. Parker did pitch in the 11th inning with a clean outing and a strikeout. Some feel Middleton worked the ninth so it could be chance, but saving Parker for extra innings may indicate it’s still his role to lose.

Last, but not least, many hoped the Orioles could emerge victorious on Wednesday just for intel on who may be their closer of choice. Brad Brach did not do well in his audition in the role giving up two runs in a blown save at home. However, he’s turned in a clean appearance and allowed a hit in two innings since with three strikeouts of the seven hitters he’s faced. Darren O’Day also figures in this potential closer controversy with two clean outings to start the year and three strikeouts. As for O’Day, health and durability still linger as concerns. Like the Angels above, it seems like Brach would get the next save chance, but O’Day seems enticing. Until it presents itself, it’s all fuel for speculation.

Quick hits: Arizona’s closer, Brad Boxberger, locked down his second save of the season with two strikeouts and two walks. Boxberger’s saved 41, in 2015 with the Rays, but keep tabs on his propensity to allow walks. During his 2015 season, Boxberger did carry an 11.8 walk percentage. One thing closers do not do well with, traffic. So far, Boxberger’s pitched three innings with five strikeouts, and four walks. Not a huge concern, but something to be cognizant of…Aroldis Chapman pitched in a non-save appearance needing only 12 pitches to retire the side with one strikeout…Indians closer Cody Allen also worked two innings on Wednesday keeping the game tied giving up two hits and striking out one…Once again, Nate Jones worked in the setup role with Joakim Soria closing out his second save in a clean outing with two strikeouts. Jones did record a strikeout in his 1.1 innings of work…Rockies closer Wade Davis registered his second save yielding a walk in the ninth against San Diego.

Closer Grid:

	Closer	First	Second	DL/Minors
ARI	Brad Boxberger	Yoshihisa Hirano	Archie Bradley
ATL	Arodys Vizcaino	A.J. Minter	Jose Ramirez
BAL	Brad Brach	Darren O’Day	Mychal Givens	Zach Britton
BOS	Craig Kimbrel	Matt Barnes	Joe Kelly
CHC	Brandon Morrow	Carl Edwards Jr.	Pedro Strop
CWS	Joakim Soria	Nate Jones	Juan Minaya
CIN	Raisel Iglesias	Jared Hughes	Kevin Quackenbush	David Hernandez
CLE	Cody Allen	Andrew Miller	Zach McAllister
COL	Wade Davis	Jake McGee	Bryan Shaw
DET	Shane Greene	Alex Wilson	Drew VerHagen
HOU	Ken Giles	Chris Devenski	Brad Peacock
KC	Kelvin Herrera		Brandon Maurer	Justin Grimm
LAA	Blake Parker	Cam Bedrosian	Keynan Middletonn
LAD	Kenley Jansen	Josh Fields	Scott Alexander
MIA	Brad Ziegler	Kyle Barraclough	Drew Steckenrider
MIL	Corey Knebel	Matt Albers	Josh Hader
MIN	Fernando Rodney	Addison Reed	Trevor Hildenberger
NYM	Jeurys Familia	A.J. Ramos	Anthony Swarzak
NYY	Aroldis Chapman	David Robertson	Dellin Betances
OAK	Blake Treinen	Ryan Buchter	Chris Hatcher
PHI	Hector Neris	Luis Garcia	Adam Morgan	Pat Neshek
PIT	Felipe Rivero	George Kontos	Michael Feliz
STL	Dominic Leone	Jordan Hicks	Tyler Lyons	Greg Holland
SD	Brad Hand	Kirby Yates	Craig Stammen
SF	Hunter Strickland	Sam Dyson	Tony Watson	Mark Melancon
SEA	Edwin Diaz	Juan Nicasio	Nick Vincent
TB	Alex Colome	Sergio Romo	Chaz Roe
TEX	Keone Kela	Kevin Jepsen	Chris Martin
TOR	Roberto Osuna	Ryan Tepera	Seung Hwan Oh
WSH	Sean Doolittle	Ryan Madson	Brandon Kintzler

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