Bullpen Report: June 28, 2022

The 2022 version of 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.

1. 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.
2. Injury News
3. Outlier Saves: Explanation for a non-closer earning a save during the previous day.
4. Committee Clarity: Notes on a closer committee that clarify a pitcher’s standing in the group.
5. 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

•None

 

Injury News

•None

 

Outlier Saves

•Keegan Akin, BAL | Roster Resource

The Orioles hit parade in Chicago led Akin to qualify for a save by MLB’s definition because he “preserve(d) his team’s lead while…pitch(ing) at least three innings”. Yet, Akin didn’t just get thrown out there to cover some innings with a big lead. The lefty threw 3.1 innings and only gave up one hit. Though he did allow an inherited runner to score on a Eugenio Suárez double when he came into the game in the sixth, the run went unearned and he was able to get out of the inning without allowing any more runs to score.

Akin does a good job of inducing weak contact with a ground ball rate (47.5%) over league average (all relievers, 43.2%). He won’t be stacking up strikeout counts (7.63 K/9), but he has a statcast average exit velocity percentile ranking of 82nd and a Hard Hit% percentile ranking of 78th. The transition from starter to reliever has been a good one for the Orioles and Akin, and his ERA of 2.35 expresses that. However, Akin’s xERA stands at 3.51 and a .171 BABIP coupled with an 87.8% LOB% signifies his ERA may soon creep up closer to his xERA.

•Kyle Finnegan, WSH | Roster Resource

Listed as the next man up in the Nationals pen for most of the season, Finnegan got his first save of the season last night in Pittsburgh. While that seems odd, the closer Tanner Rainey only has 1o on the year. But, it’s mostly been a one-two punch as Finnegan has nearly matched Rainey’s save total with holds, recording 11 so far this year. But, why Finnegan and not Rainey last night?

Asked about using Kyle Finnegan instead of Tanner Rainey in the save situation, Dave Martinez said it wasn’t just b/c Rainey pitched Sunday. They had Finnegan hot for 6-7-8 down 2-1, liked the matchup and didn’t want to burn him for Tues. on warmup pitches + not use him.

— Jesse Dougherty (@dougherty_jesse) June 28, 2022

While I don’t think there’s anything here that suggests there’s a shake-up in the Nationals pen, remember that wins don’t come often for this team, last night may suggest that Finnegan has fantasy value in leagues that record holds.

 

Committee Clarity

•None

 

Losing a Grip

•None