Bullpen Report: August 21, 2017
• After getting the save in yesterday’s outing, Juan Minaya followed it up with another save today for the White Sox in the first half of a double header against the Twins. Minaya has converted the last three save opportunities he’s been handed and certainly looks to be the closer. Minaya’s triple slash line of 4.50/4.57/4.26 doesn’t look too fancy but his 3.59 SIERA and 30.5% K% paints a more palatable picture. Not many saves to be expected for the rest of the season here, but I’m upgrading Minaya to yellow.
• Curtis Granderson gave the Dodgers a lead after hitting a Grand Slam but the bullpen blew the lead after Tony Watson and Pedro Baez struggled in the eighth inning. Tony Watson has received higher leverage innings since coming to LA but he’s struggled during his time there as well, allowing five earned in 5.1 innings pitched. As a non-dominant lefty I don’t see him high on the totem pole if something were to happen to Kenley Jansen. Pedro Baez had a worse bad night, allowing four baserunners while only recording one out but was fortunate to only be responsible for one run crossing the plate. I’m keeping Baez on the grid but moving Brandon Morrow to the next-in-line for now as he threw 1.1 scoreless, lowering his ERA to 2.32. Baez is besting Morrow in ERA this year with a 1.90 mark but he’s been far less dominant than Morrow who has a 2.76 SIERA and a very strong 23.9% K-BB%.
• Edwin Diaz pitched around one hit to throw a scoreless ninth for his 28th save of the year. Diaz has been struggling mightily of late with 9 walks and 6 earned runs in his last 7 appearances across 6.1 innings. Tonight’s outing won’t make this situation a green but it’s a step in the right direction, especially considering Diaz didn’t issue a walk which is his only particular weakness. Even with a worse SwStr% than last year (18.5% to 15.6%) Diaz still has elite swing and miss stuff but his 12.7 BB% up from a 6.9% mark last year has really prevented him from repeating as an elite relieve this year.
Other Bullpen Activity:
- Joakim Soria was placed on the DL and ex-Padres Brandon Maurer and Ryan Buchter should see the majority of higher leverage innings ahead of Kelvin Herrera moving forward.
- Zach Britton only needed to see one batter to knock down his 11th save. Britton remains somewhat of an injury risk but he’s the sole closer in Baltimore and I’ve upgraded this situation to green. Mychal Givens and Brad Brach will continue to get holds ahead of Britton.
- Fernando Rodney was spotted a two run lead to start the 10th and although he allowed one runner to score he still launched his 28th arrow.
- Cody Allen picked up his first win on the season, a 1-6 win/loss record isn’t pretty but it’s nicer than 0-6.
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
Andrew Miller is a question mark with the re-aggravation of his patellar tendinitis. Not sure if he’s DL-bound or not, but I would imagine so, which SUCKS.