Bullpen Report: June 18, 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
•Paul Sewald, SEA: 19 pitches on Saturday, back-to-back days. | RosterResource
Andrés Muñoz (24 pitches on Saturday, back-to-back days) is also on “High Usage Alert” and Justin Topa threw 16 pitches on Saturday. Topa is likely to appear a second day in a row but if he cannot, the Mariners will have to use a middle-reliever late in the game.
•A.J. Puk, MIA: 13 pitches on Saturday, back-to-back days. | RosterResource
Dylan Floro should be available in a save situation if Puk needs rest.
•Craig Kimbrel, PHI: 26 pitches on Saturday. | RosterResource
Most everyone in the Phillies bullpen was used in Saturday’s extra-inning game, but José Alvarado (9 pitches) and Gregory Soto (14 pitches) are likely still available on Sunday.
•Mark Leiter Jr., CHC: 34 pitches on Saturday. | RosterResource
Adbert Alzolay and Julian Merryweather are on “High Usage Alert” and that leaves Michael Fulmer as the most rested and likeliest to appear in a save situation should one come up on Sunday.
•Scott McGough, ARI: 6 pitches on Saturday, back-to-back days. | RosterResource
Either Miguel Castro or Andrew Chafin should be available in a save situation.
•Justin Lawrence, COL: 20 pitches on Saturday. | RosterResource
Either setup man, Pierce Johnson or Jake Bird, should be available to close out a game if needed on Sunday.
Injury News
•None
Outlier Saves
•Jeff Hoffman, PHI | RosterResource
A 12-inning game in Oakland and only four innings from starter Cristopher Sánchez forced the Phillies to go deep into their bullpen. Every name listed on the Phillies’ section of the “Closer Depth Chart” was used in yesterday’s game. After Gregory Soto, José Alvarado, Craig Kimbrel, and Andrew Vasquez, came Jeff Hoffman. He threw in the twelfth inning, gave up no hits, no walks, and struck out one. Hoffman was added to the Phillies team in early May and has appeared in 14 innings in 13 games. He has maintained an impressive 12.21 K/9 through that time.
•Jordan Scholtens, CHW | RosterResource
Another extra inning game gave the 29-year-old righty a chance to record his first major league save and he took advantage of it. After Keynan Middleton threw in the eighth and ninth (1.2) and Aaron Bummer threw in the ninth and tenth (1.1), Scholtens was called on to close out the game with a one-run lead in the eleventh. He struck out one, gave up no hits and no walks, and recorded the save. His per nine numbers are nothing to get excited about (4.82 K/9 and 3.86 BB/9) but his ERA is under three. He projects as a long-reliever in the Chicago bullpen.
•Tristan Beck, SFG | RosterResource
It was a blowout at Dodgers Stadium on Saturday as the Giants scored 15 runs on 17 hits. Giants starter Alex Wood was able to go five innings and then Beck threw the remaining four. He gave up three hits and one walk with two strikeouts. The 26-year-old righty has thrown 35.1 big league innings in his career, all this year with the Giants. He projects as a middle-reliever but obviously can go longer when needed. He threw an efficient 51 pitches. He recorded the save given the fact that he pitched more than three innings and maintained the lead. It was his second of the year.
Committee Clarity
•Scott McGough, ARI | RosterResource
It’s probably not an equal split between McGough, Miguel Castro, and Andrew Chafin, but McGough is likely now part of the committee. The 33-year-old righty has spent the majority of his career in the minor leagues and had a short stint playing in Japan, but has 37 big-league innings in 2023 with the Diamondbacks. He has recorded three saves so far this season, but he has also taken the loss five times. Regardless, he’s maintained a sub-three ERA and somewhat decent ratios (10.22 K/9, 2.92 BB/9). It’s likely that he’ll be called on in certain situations, but won’t be taking up the lion’s share of opportunities.
•Jordan Hicks, STL | RosterResource
With closer Ryan Helsley on the 15-day IL with a strained forearm, the Cardinals are likely sharing save opportunities between Giovanny Gallegos and Jordan Hicks. Gallegos’ ERA is near four and he’s just not striking batters out like he used to. He has a 9.11 K/9 in 2023 versus a career 10.76 K/9. Hicks on the other hand is striking batters out at a very high rate of 14.73 per nine innings but has a 4.30 ERA through 29.1 innings. The Cardinals will have to split opportunities between the two.
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