Bullpen Report: May 16, 2019

• Blake Parker was used to get the last out of the 8th inning last night with Trevor Hildenberger coming on for the the 9th. However, after giving up three runs Mike Morin came in for the final two outs to get his first save of the year. While the committee is still strong in Minnesota, Mike Morin isn’t a part of it. Parker is still in the lead with Taylor Rogers and Trevor May behind him. Every time the Twins get a save I basically repeat the previous line, but that’s how it will go until something changes!

• Hector Neris has both had an incredible season and hasn’t been utilized much of  late. Although Pat Neshek saw the last save, Neris did see the 9th tonight but the Phillies were down three. The Phillies remain in a committee and that means Neris won’t see every save opportunity but he’s still the best guy to own for saves. Neris can often give up the long ball but he’s improved his groundball rate this year with a career high 48.6% and he will always provide the strikeouts with a 35.% K% this season.

• The committees continue with Tampa Bay going with Emilio Pagan and Jose Alvarado for a combined 2.2 innings to set up the save for Diego Castillo, who closed his 5th door. We currently have Castillo atop the committee which helps when you are a right handed pitcher, but Alvarado and Pagan should continue to see their share of saves as well. It might be annoying for fantasy owners who just want consistent saves, but the Rays pen has the most WAR in the league and the 3rd best FIP, so they’re doing something right.

• The Yankees beat the Orioles twice yesterday with Aroldis Chapman getting a save in both games, bringing his total to 11. Chapman carries a little injury risk but after a mediocre start he’s back to putting up incredible numbers. Chapman’s velocity is down to 97.8 mph from 98.9 mph last year which is a little worrisome but a 15.2% swinging strike rate is still good enough. I don’t know if Chapman has exchanged some velocity for control on purpose but he has a career high 68.7% First Strike% and a career low 4.5% BB% which has kept him as an elite closer.

• Reyes Moronta might be the closer of the future and Mark Melancon might get some saves later this year but while Will Smith is on the Giants he’s the guy for saves as he got his 11th save. There aren’t strong trade rumors percolating at the moment but I suspect after the draft that Will Smith will be linked to teams in need of bullpen help. Tony Watson should also be a trade target as a situational lefty for a contender and if/when those guys are gone we will see if the Giants use Moronta for saves or their $14MM man Melancon who is still under contract next year for that same amount.

• The Cubs pen isn’t too strong at the moment with Pedro Strop out. Cishek should benefit the most for saves but Brad Brach finished the 9th and got the loss in the 10th inning. Brandon Kintzler also allowed a run in the 7th but got his 6th hold of the year. Carl Edwards Jr. blew the lead in the 8th inning and while he and anyone could be in line for high leverage innings, he has been bad in his time in the majors this season and not too compelling in his minors stint either. The Cubs are currently in first place in their division with a clear need of bullpen help. Whether they’re interested in Will Smith above or other trade targets as the summer Hot Stove heats up, I don’t know but they should be buyers for some bullpen arms.

• Quick Hits: No save situation for the Nationals but Doolittle got the final three outs after Patrick Corbin went eight innings. Doolittle has a 0.95 ERA and is the sole bright spot in their pen. Unlike the Cubs, the Nationals are only 17-25 and they will more likely be sellers than buyers at the deadline. Jeurys Famila is back for the Mets and threw a scoreless inning last night. He will need to throw a few more of those before getting back on the grid ahead of Gsellman or Lugo. Josh Hader pitched a perfect inning with an unimpressive one strikeout for his 11th save. No save in Houston but Ryan Pressly and Roberto Osuna pitched a perfect 8th and 9th with five strikeouts – they’re pretty darn good. Matt Banres came on in the 7th in a high leverage spot to stop the bleeding but blew the lead. Boston got the win in the 10th and while Barnes is atop our grid it remains a committee. Luke Jackson is starting to run away with the job in Atlanta, going two innings for his 5th save. Kenly Jansen also received a save (14) pitching around a hit and a walk while striking out a pair.