Bullpen Report: July 27, 2018

Defending World Champions, Houston, entered the relief pitching market adding Ryan Pressly to their bullpen in an effort to rebuild the struggling bridge to current closer, Hector Rondon. It’s evident they need add arms to their bullpen, especially with the recent struggles of Chris Devenski. For the second straight outing, Devenski did not record an out while giving up multiple earned runs in an appearance. Over his last four games, Devenski’s yielded 11 earned runs in 2.1 innings pushing his ERA to 4.19 on the season. On the other hand, Pressly’s surging in July riding a seven game scoreless streak with a 0.90 ERA in July and 14 strikeouts against three walks in 10 innings. Plus, Pressly’s under team control via arbitration through the 2019 season.

His former team, Minnesota could see more upheaval in the bullpen in the days ahead. Fernando Rodney did blow his sixth save on Friday night allowing a home run to Rafael Devers while pitching in his third consecutive game, and fourth in five days. He’s been in trade rumors as a potential setup pitcher on a contending team due to his experience and 2.90 ERA over 32 games since May first converting 19 of 22 save chances. Many believed Pressly or Trevor Hildenberger would replace Rodney in the event of a trade, however Pressly will not be a factor. If Rodney does get moved, the Twins could use Addison Reed as the closer keeping Hildenberger in the eighth inning role. Reed’s had a tough transition to the team, but could return soon after receiving a cortisone shot in his elbow and a clean image on his MRI. Reed’s been a very effective reliever and being paid as the backup to Rodney, so overlooking him going forward could be a mistake.

Not only did Rodney blow a save in last night’s game, so did Craig Kimbrel for the first time since May ninth against the Yankees. Kimbrel allowed a two runs on a double by Eddie Rosario and three walks in 1.1 innings. There’s no inherent risk regarding Kimbrel’s standing in this bullpen, but the workload has started to fatigue Boston’s bullpen with Joe Kelly being removed from high leverage. Matt Barnes and Heath Hembree, along with Kimbrel have performed the heavy lifting of late and it shows. Kimbrel’s only eight for 12 in save conversions when entering in the eighth inning as a member of Boston with an ERA over four. Perhaps the recent uptick in performance by Tyler Thornburg, who won his first game since 2016 and has retired the last seven hitters he’s faced with three strikeouts could emerge in a larger role, or the team will make a trade?

Boston scouts have been tracking the Cardinals bullpen and watched Bud Norris lock down his 20th save on Friday night. Norris has been scoreless in his last two outings with saves in each since his blown save on Monday. He’s 20-for-23 in save chances this year and limits left-handed hitters to a .184/.226/.283 slash line. Joe Kelly did face left-handed batters in high leverage but lost the role. Would Boston deal for Norris? He’s definitely on their radar and with Jordan Hicks in the wings waiting, St. Louis would make a move with an eye on retooling for next year. Stay tuned.

As the Cleveland bullpen turns took an interesting turn on Friday night with Cody Allen entering a tied game in the seventh inning with two outs. Allen did garner his third win in relief walking one in 1.1 innings of work after his team rallied for four runs in the top of the eighth. With the knowledge of Brad Hand getting the last save, albeit in a situation where the Indians extended their lead to four after his out recorded in the eighth, the team has stated Allen’s still the closer going forward. Allen has converted 20 of 22 save chances but his struggles in July (8.10 ERA and 1.80 WHIP in 10 innings) hint it could be fluid as August nears based on performance.

A much needed clean outing for Corey Knebel who notched his 14th save on Friday night. Knebel’s recorded a save in two straight games and pitched in three of the last four but he’s allowed runs in four of his last nine outings. Knebel’s given up 13 hits and four walks in 11 innings this month resulting in a 4.91 ERA and 1.55 WHIP. He’s been through some struggles in the past due to command and lost time earlier this year. Hopefully this will only be a blip during his season but it’s less than optimal in regards to timing. Knebel should get Saturday off due to recent usage, so do not panic if Josh Hader or Corbin Burnes fill in.

Quick Hits: Win number four for Felipe Vazquez who allowed a hit with two strikeouts against the Mets. Although he lost his 16 game scoreless streak on Wednesday, Vazquez has converted his last 13 saves and yielded runs in only two of his last 22 appearances with a 1.27 ERA and 38 strikeouts over his last 21.1 innings.

Tough outing for Joe Jimenez giving up three earned runs on two hits and a walk with a strikeout in one-third of an inning. Jimenez lost his five game scoreless streak but raised his ERA to 5.68 with a 1.42 WHIP in July.

While the trade rumors surrounding Raisel Iglesias seem quiet, he’s still a coveted reliever in a flush market. Iglesias recorded his 20th save of the year allowing two hits and an unearned run over 1.1 innings. He’s not allowed an earned run his last seven games (8.2 innings) and has 12 saves with a 2.19 ERA since his return from the disabled list his last 22 games.

Kyle Barraclough turned in a much needed scoreless ninth yielding a hit and striking out one. Not sure if it’s the trade rumors or just fatigue, but after a nearly perfect June, Barraclough’s 2.42 WHIP in 8.2 innings this month with seven walks has to worry his owners.

It’s been a weird year for Kenley Jansen but he leads the National League with 30 saves in spite of his slow start to the season. Jansen whiffed two in 1.1 clean innings on Friday night. His last 41 games results in a 1.41 ERA in 44.2 innings with 28 saves, 50 strikeouts and 10 walks.

Although he’s not recorded a save in a week, A.J. Minter continues to impress of late. He struck out the side on 16 pitches in a scoreless ninth inning with the Braves trailing and has only given up a run in two of his last 17 outings. He’s thriving in July with 11 strikeouts against one walk in 7.1 innings with Arodys Vizcaino on the shelf due to his shoulder injury.

With Wade Davis having pitched the previous two games, Adam Ottavino locked down his fourth save last night in a clean inning. He’s not allowed an earned run his last 10 games and has a tidy 15:3 K:BB in 11.1 innings this month. Ottavino’s now worked two in a row, so Davis should return for a save chance and Seung-Hwan Oh should be ready to pitch if needed in setup on Saturday.

Blake Parker‘s allowed runs in two straight games and rumored to be on the trade block. Jim Johnson’s back from the disabled list and won his third game in relief despite giving up a hit and a walk with a strikeout on Friday. He’s not allowed a run in his four games back from the disabled list bur remains difficult to trust.

Teams looking for ratio control can look to Robbie Erlin who allowed one hit in 3.2 innings with three strikeouts. As a reliever, Erlin’s been scoreless his last four games (9.1 innings) with a 0.75 ERA and 0.88 WHIP in 12 innings in July and his 52.2 innings this year yields a 44:4 K:BB with a 2.05 ERA, 2.71 FIP and 0.80 WHIP for the Padres.

Two hitters pitched in relief last evening, which seems to be a theme on Fridays. Matt Davidson worked a clean inning for the White Sox and seems to cherish pitching. Carlos Gomez became the first pitcher in 100 years with at least four walks and two balks in a outing of less than an inning. He served up three earned runs recording one out.

Last but not least, the Dodgers will prepare Julio Urias for the bullpen when he returns from injury which could translate to some fantasy upside in the right role.

Not Very Stable
Hot Seat
Committee
Bullpen Report — 7/28/2018
Team Closer First Up Second Up Minors/DL
ARI Brad Boxberger Archie Bradley Yoshihisa Hirano
ATL A.J. Minter Dan Winkler Jesse Biddle Arodys Vizcaino
BAL Brad Brach Mychal Givens Paul Fry Darren O’Day
BOS Craig Kimbrel Matt Barnes Heath Hembree
CHC Pedro Strop Carl Edwards Jr. Steve Cishek Brandon Morrow
CWS Jace Fry Jeanmar Gomez Juan Minaya Nate Jones
CIN Raisel Iglesias Jared Hughes Amir Garrett
CLE Cody Allen Brad Hand Adam Cimber Andrew Miller
COL Wade Davis Adam Ottavino Seung Hwan Oh
DET Shane Greene Joe Jimenez Alex Wilson
HOU Hector Rondon Collin McHugh Ryan Pressly
KC Wily Peralta Kevin McCarthy Brandon Maurer
LAA Blake Parker Justin Anderson Hansel Robles Keynan Middleton
LAD Kenley Jansen Scott Alexander Daniel Hudson Josh Fields
MIA Kyle Barraclough Drew Steckenrider Brad Ziegler Tayron Guerrero
MIL Corey Knebel Josh Hader Jeremy Jeffress
MIN Fernando Rodney Trevor Hildenberger Zach Duke Addison Reed
NYM Anthony Swarzak Robert Gsellman Jacob Rhame
NYY Aroldis Chapman Dellin Betances Zach Britton
OAK Blake Treinen Jeurys Familia Lou Trivino
PHI Seranthony Dominguez Victor Arano Pat Neshek Edubray Ramos
PIT Felipe Vazquez Kyle Crick Edgar Santana
STL Bud Norris Jordan Hicks Mike Mayers
SD Kirby Yates Craig Stammen Phil Maton
SF Will Smith Tony Watson Reyes Moronta Hunter Strickland
SEA Edwin Diaz Alex Colome James Pazos
TB Sergio Romo Jose Alvarado Diego Castillo Chaz Roe
TEX Keone Kela Jake Diekman Jose LeClerc Chris Martin
TOR Ryan Tepera Tyler Clippard Jaime Garcia Roberto Osuna
WSH Kelvin Herrera Ryan Madson Brandon Kintzler Sean Doolittle

 





Avid fantasy baseball player and writer. You can find my work here chasing the next save or as the lead fantasy analyst on Fantasy Alarm. Any questions, hit me up on the Twitter machine, @gjewett9

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dukebd555member
5 years ago

How would you rank these guys for most Saves ROS?

fry
Steckenrider
Jimenez
Diekman
Swarzak

rodent11
5 years ago
Reply to  dukebd555

I’d give Jimenez the top spot on this list followed by Steckenrider, Fry, and Swarzak. I doubt Diekman gets any.

LenFuego
5 years ago
Reply to  rodent11

I think I would have Fry at the top right now since it appears he will have the opportunity to close games without anything else happening. Jimenez and Steckenrider are next since with one potential trade (Greene or Bearclaw), they would easily leapfrog Fry for most save opportunities (and if you want to speculate on someone getting a lot of saves, those would be the two to speculate on). Diekman could be in the same boat as those guys with a Kela trade, but I feel like LeClerc is in that mix too and more likely to get the opportunity. Like Fry, Swarzak is in the mix for saves right now, but I just find him completely unappealing so he is in last place for me.

cartermember
5 years ago
Reply to  LenFuego

Not sure why everyone is convinced it will be Fry, I’d venture it is Gomez