Bullpen Report: April 8, 2023
The 2023 version of the Bullpen Report includes five different sections, as well as the closer chart, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
We will always include a link to the full Closer Depth Chart at the bottom of the Bullpen Report each day. It’s also accessible from the RosterResource drop-down menu and from any RosterResource page. Please let us know what you think.
- Notable Workloads: Primary closers or valuable members of a closer committee who have been deemed unavailable or likely unavailable for the current day due to recent workload.
- Injury News
- Outlier Saves: Explanation for a non-closer earning a save during the previous day.
- Committee Clarity: Notes on a closer committee that clarify a pitcher’s standing in the group.
- Losing A Grip: Struggling closers who could be on the hot seat.
The “RosterResource” link will take you to the corresponding team’s RosterResource depth chart, which will give you a better picture of the full bullpen and results of the previous six days (pitch count, save, hold, win, loss, blown save).
Click HERE to view the full Closer Depth Chart.
Notable Workloads
•Scott Barlow, KCR: 23 pitches on Friday; 10 pitches on Thursday. | RosterResource
Aroldis Chapman and Dylan Coleman should both be good to go on Saturday.
•Jason Adam, TBR: 23 pitches on Friday. | RosterResource
Pete Fairbanks would likely close Saturday if Adam is unavailable.
•Jordan Romano, TOR: Three of the last four days; 6 pitches on Friday. | RosterResource
Erik Swanson and Yimi García have also pitched three-of-four, which could leave Adam Cimber, Tim Mayza, or Anthony Bass to close Saturday.
•Michael Fulmer, CHC: 28 pitches on Friday. | RosterResource
Brad Boxberger and Adbert Allay are the two most likely arms to pitch the ninth for the Cubs on Saturday, if a save chance presents itself.
Injury News
•None
Outlier Saves
•Wil Crowe, PIT | RosterResource
Crowe threw 76 innings across 60 appearances in 2022 and two innings in his first appearance in 2023, so it wasn’t particularly surprising to see him go long on Friday, pitching the final three innings of the Pirates’ win. He wasn’t particularly effective, giving up two runs, including Oscar Colás’s first MLB home run, but was deemed to have pitched well enough to earn the save for those three innings. Since he threw 59 pitches, Crowe will almost surely need at least two days off before his next outing.
Committee Clarity
•Craig Kimbrel, PHI | RosterResource
It took until their seventh game, but the Phillies finally had their first save opportunity of the season, giving some insight into who’ll be used in that role. No closer has officially been declared, meaning there’s definitely a committee, but it’s nonetheless notable that the veteran Kimbrel got the first shot. However, that might be more a function of how the lineup lined up—lefty José Alvarado, who’s been excellent to start his season—got the eight against two lefties and a righty, the 2-3-4 spots in the order. Alvarado and Seranthony Domínguez should continue to be ninth-inning options, with Gregory Soto also a possibility.
Kimbrel’s struggled to start his Phillies career, allowing multiple runs in his first two appearances before settling down on Friday, his third. The save was the 395th of his illustrious career.
Losing A Grip
•None
Jon Becker manages RosterResource's team payroll pages, assists with all other aspects of RosterResource, and also dabbles in creating new features as a Junior Developer. Follow him at your own peril: @jonbecker_ on Twitter and @jon-becker.com on Bluesky.
any chance you could add a “reliever on the rise” addition? Believe the bullpen report had that a couple years ago, featuring non save guys with good skills. Thanks!
The problem is the relievers “on the rise” are often listed as 2nd or 3rd choice so they are already on the chart. Trevor Stephen, Michael King, Adbert Alzolay are examples.
I’d be more interested in the reliever on the rise feature, or an in depth dive on why certain pitchers are doing well or not, than I am in, say, the chart or the workloads section. As it is, this kind of looks like information I could get on any other site (and some of the other ones often do it better).
You mean “Adbert Allay.”
Chafin feels like the reliever to own in the AZ pen – best Stuff+ and has been used in the 9th – was surprised to see Ginkel rated first.
I had the same reaction, too. Has Ginkel even gotten a save? Kind of felt the same way about Kimbrel. Not that I think he should be the closer (or that was a good signing), but it looks like he’s going to at least start the season that way.
Is McGough already offlist entirely? Seemed like he was a big part of the original bull-plan.
I see Ginkel and Chafin as equal in terms of talent with each capable and no way Melancon ever gets the job back. McGough may be in the mix as well.
McGough got the first save opportunity of the year for Arizona then blew the next, Jameson got the one after that. Maybe McGough isn’t the closer anymore, but I don’t understand why Ginkel would be listed first and why McGough wouldn’t be on the chart at all.
I would say Trevor May, Alex Lange and Kyle Finnigan are all on the hot seat. And Carlos Estevez would be as well except their bullpen is terrible.
Add “Brad Boxburger” to the “Committee Clarity” section, since the Cubs gave Fulmer a 2 inning save and Boxburger was very well rested.
How would y’all prioritize these players? Alex Lange, Reynaldo Lopez, Pierce Johnson, AJ Puk, Andrew Chafin
I’d go Puk, Chafin, Johnson, Lange, Lopez. With a drop-off after Chafin.
Assume you mean for saves? Id have it Lange , johnson then fair sized gap Chafin lopez, puk. I see the other comment has puk 1st but having watched him in Oakland and looking at early results he’s too wild and can’t pitch with pressure floro will take over .
For ATL, I believe McHugh is on the IL. And Anderson looks to be doing well, so maybe he should be Second Up
Why are you listing Kimbrel third after a writeup that said Kimbrel might be the first guy?
Think they’re expecting kimbrel to lose role.
insert “first time?” meme here
The site’s quality has really dropped off. That’s why I stopped subscribing. It’s useful for stats and an occasional deep dive into a weird topic.