Bullpen Report: July 12, 2014
Some quick notes from today’s bullpen action:
-The Reds ran Aroldis Chapman to the mound on each of the four previous days, leaving Jonathan Broxton to man the ninth-inning in a save situation with a one-run lead. Broxton surrendered a leadoff longball to All-World Andrew McCutchen, his second of the game, resulting in the right-hander’s fourth blown save on the season. He is now 6-of-10 in save chances and his ERA sits at 1.19, which is still far off from what his xFIP (4.30) suggests he should be posting. More rough outings could be on the horizon for the Reds’ set-up man. Broxton remains to be an emergency only reliever to own, with the exception of hold leagues, deep standard leagues and daily leagues when streaming.
-Consistent inconsistency from the arm of Addison Reed resulted in the Bullpen Report team recently shifting Arizona’s volatility status to yellow. And despite this inconsistency, Reed was summoned back to the hill in the ninth-inning again this evening by the skipper. Facing the meat of the order, Reed retired a trio of Giants — Buster Posey, Michael Morse and Brandon Belt — in order to clinch the 2-0 victory for the Diamondbacks and the righty’s 21st save of the season. Reed’s been a victim of the longball this year and his 4.30 ERA still seems to be a bit inflated thanks in part to HR/FB% that’s approaching 20% (Career 10.3% HR/FB%). The closer’s 3.35 xFIP suggests that his 4.30 ERA will make some positive regression in the days ahead. Brad Ziegler should remain on the radar for those in deeper leagues who could grab a look in the ninth should Reed’s inconsistency become too much for Gibson to tolerate.
–Joe Smith fanned two in a clean inning of work this evening to seal his 14th save of the season. Smith has now fanned two or more batters in 13 of his 43 trips to the bump and owns a 2.38 ERA (2.84 FIP). And although the Angels recently acquired Jason Grilli — who’s been pitching fairly well since moving West — it appears as if Smith could be going green here quite soon.
Quick Hits: Jenrry Mejia fanned one en route to his tenth save of the season. The Metropolitans’ closer is now 10-of-12 in save opportunities on the season with a 3.98 ERA (3.94 FIP) and owned a 11.6% K-BB% entering tonight, meh. Jake Petricka dished a clean inning of work in a non-save situation tonight of the White Sox. Despite not working with a save on the line, Petricka may emerge as the leader of the committee based on tonight’s usage and the fact that Zach Putnam pitched in the sixth and gave up an earned run. Rafael Soriano struck out the side in the bottom half of the ninth to notch his 22nd save of the season. David Robertson struck out two in the bottom of the ninth to clean up his 23rd save chance on the year.
Closer Grid:
[Green light, yellow light, red light: the colors represent the volatility of the bullpen order.]
In addition to contributing to the RotoGraphs blog, you can find Alan at his own site, TheFantasyFix.com and follow his nonsense on Twitter @TheFantasyFix.
The PIT situation is now very interesting- did you miss the usage last night?
Also, a minor quibble, McCutcheon’s homer off Broxton was his first of the game.
You are missing the emergence of Brad Boxberger and fantasy players in deep leagues will want to nab him now if he’s still available.
Boxberger has always had closer stuff with tremendous movement on his pitches and his biggest obstacle was controlling that movement and throwing strikes.
In the last 14 1/3 innings, Boxberger has walked none while striking out 20.
He is a vastly better option then Joel Peralta, who has given up 5 earned runs in his past 8 appearances, and Grant Balfour, whose better pitching as of late only make him a more likely trade candidate as the trade deadline approaches. McGee is a strong relief pitcher but managers are reluctant to use lefties as closers, though perhaps, Joe Maddon will prove an exception.
Yes, I think everyone who plays hard already has their eye on him.
I still think Giles is the closest to “must-add” right now, prospectively.
I agree, which is why I am surprised Boxberger has only been mentioned once in a FG bullpen report and still isn’t listed on the closer grid. In my deep AL league, he was gone by the first week of June.
Giles has an even thinner veil separating him from the closer role.
not that it matters, but Mccutchen’s HR in the 9th was his first of the game (his 2nd HR was a go-ahead shot in the 11th)
well haha didn’t see this was mentioned above…
Frieri is probably off the grid at this point. He has been terrible since coming over, Jared Hughes or Justin Wilson would probably be third in line at this point should Melancon blow up or get hurt. Of course, apparently the Pirates are interested in Huston Street so Melancon may not be long for the role regardless how well he pitches.
I also think Rondon is closer to red than yellow. He is getting BABIP’d to death somewhat right now, but another rough outing today or shortly after the break and Rameriz or Strop may get the call.