Bullpen Report: June 6, 2017 by Benjamin Pasinkoff June 6, 2017 • Corey Knebel was called on in the ninth and pitched a perfect frame for his sixth save of the year. Before and after taking the closer’s gig from Neftali Feliz, Knebel has been outright fantastic. A 14.2% BB% isn’t ideal but when you combine it with a K% of 45.1% it’s plenty OK. Knebel’s SIERA stands at 2.36 and his ERA/FIP/xFIP after tonight’s outing is 1.24/2.12/2.24. Among qualified relievers his strikeout rate ranks 5th and in spite of the elevate walks his K-BB% still ranks 12th. Knebel was intriguing last year but it’s hard to say anyone saw this coming. I expected the Brewers to be sellers at the deadline and with their recent history of trading relievers I figured Knebel could have been shipped out like Tyler Thornberg last year. Instead the Brewers are in first place and Knebel figures to stay, continue to get saves and rack up strikeouts. • Hector Neris started the ninth inning getting Nick Markakis to pop up but after allowing back-to-back singles the Phillies went with Pat Neshek to get the last two outs, for his first save of the year. Neris has never had a totally firm grasp on the role as they went back and forth with Joaquin Benoit earlier, so it’s certainly not a great sign that they didn’t give him a chance to finish the game. Neshek has also been the best pitcher in the pen this year with a 0.82/2.28/3.82 pitching line. His .218 BABIP and 96.2% LOB% indicate he’s been quite lucky and he’s likely more good than great but he may find himself pitching in more ninth innings waiting for regression rathre than the eighth. I’m not making a change in the order here but I am making this situation RED. I would put a claim on Neshek if he’s available, nothing is imminent but consider Neris on notice. • Bud Norris started off strong with two outs in the save opp tonight but things got testy as he allowed the bases loaded before striking out Alex Avila to secure his 11th save. It’s not particularity strong timing for Norris to throw an iffy inning as Cam Bedrosian expects to be activated on Thursday. Bedrosian has a very messy injury history of late so I don’t think any immediate return to the ninth inning or pitching back-to-back games is imminent but it is an additional person lurking over Norris’ shoulder. • Tony Watson blew his fourth save on the year and I’m changing Pittsburgh to Red. Watson simply isn’t fooling anyone and his ERA/FIP/xFIP line now stands at 3.91/5.42/4.78. Meanwhile Felipe Rivero struck out two batters in 1.1 innings, getting his 13th hold on the year and now has a 0.60/2.59/2.82 line. It’s hard to knock Watson being a lefty when I’m pointing to Rivero who is also a south paw but he’s been simply fantastic this year. Watson is probably better than he’s pitching but should be mostly used a lefty setup option and might be extended being used as a classic closer. There has been no word on a change but I would run to pick up Rivero. • Ken Giles‘ job isn’t necessarily in danger but I’m moving Houston to yellow. Giles allowed all his inherited runners to score in the eighth after James Hoyt struggled and then proceeded to lose the game in the ninth after a Mike Moustakas walk-off homer. Every closer is allowed a leash but given the depth of options in Houston’s pen, Giles may not be given as many chances as another team would. Will Harris is the obvious next choice in the pecking order and behind him I’ve put Michael Feliz. Luke Gregerson, James Hoyt and Chris Devenski linger in some order as well. • Quick Hits: David Robertson (9) threw a perfect ninth. Tommy Kahnle pitched the eighth for the White Sox and gave up a rare earned run but it’s hard for owners to complain with his 41/6 K/BB in 23.2 innings pitched. Craig Kimbrel was called on for a four out save and converted, getting an insane five (yes five) strikeouts on the way. I’ve been fawning over other relievers tonight but after this outing Kimbrel has 53 strikeouts against just 5 walks in 26.2 innings. Kimbrel almost gets two strikeouts for every inning he pitches this year and has essentially broken ERA estimators with a 1.01/0.24/0/0.80 line. After taking a year off, Kimbrel is back to being the elite of the elite, enjoy the ride. Matt Bush struggled in a non-save situation tonight but it’s worth noting that his underlying numbers are looking less than stellar. A 2.61 ERA is great but 4.46 FIP and 4.04 xFIP is less so. Closer Grid: Closer First Second DL/Minors ARI Fernando Rodney Archie Bradley JJ Hoover ATL Jim Johnson Arodys Vizcaino Jose Ramirez BAL Brad Brach Darren O’Day Mychal Givens Zach Britton BOS Craig Kimbrel Matt Barnes Heath Hembree Carson Smith CHC Wade Davis Koji Uehara Carl Edwards Jr. CWS David Robertson Tommy Kahnle Anthony Swarzak Nate Jones CIN Raisel Iglesias Michael Lorenzen Drew Storen CLE Cody Allen Andrew Miller Bryan Shaw COL Greg Holland Jake McGee Mike Dunn Adam Ottavino DET Justin Wilson Alex Wilson Shane Greene HOU Ken Giles Will Harris Michael Feliz KC Kelvin Herrera Joakim Soria Mike Minor LAA Bud Norris David Hernandez Blake Parker Cam Bedrosian LAD Kenley Jansen Pedro Baez Josh Fields MIA A.J. Ramos David Phelps Kyle Barraclough MIL Corey Knebel Jacob Barnes Neftali Feliz MIN Brandon Kintzler Matt Belisle Taylor Rogers Glen Perkins NYM Addison Reed Jerry Blevins Paul Sewald Jeurys Familia NYY Dellin Betances Tyler Clippard Adam Warren Aroldis Chapman OAK Santiago Casilla Ryan Madson Liam Hendriks Sean Doolittle PHI Hector Neris Pat Neshek Edubray Ramos Joaquin Benoit PIT Tony Watson Felipe Rivero Juan Nicasio STL Seung Hwan Oh Trevor Rosenthal Matt Bowman SD Brandon Maurer Brad Hand Ryan Buchter Carter Capps SF Mark Melancon Derek Law Hunter Strickland SEA Edwin Diaz James Pazos Nick Vincent TB Alex Colome Danny Farquhar Tommy Hunter Brad Boxberger TEX Matt Bush Keone Kela Jose Leclerc TOR Roberto Osuna Joe Smith Jason Grilli WSH Koda Glover Matt Albers Shawn Kelley [Green light, yellow light, red light: the colors represent the volatility of the bullpen order.]