If you are like me, you are probably scanning your roto standings right now, looking for ways to climb up into the money. That’s what makes writing about bullpen situations so popular. You can make up ground in saves. This season there has been a lot of movement in MLB bullpens. Honestly, I can’t remember a year where bullpens have been managed so poorly — in game and with roster construction. Whatever the case, it’s August and there is still so much opportunity. Let’s dive in.
Los Angeles Angels
For my money, the absolute worst in-game management of a bullpen I’ve ever seen. Kurt Suzuki is a first year manager, but as a catcher and someone around the game, as much as he has been, the utter lack of feel for how to run a bullpen has been shocking. They’ve had capable arms the entire season.
For now, the spotlight turns to Sammy Natera. The left-hander has been fantastic. Sporting an outlier 4-seam fastball and slider, Natera has a 2.00 ERA and 0.85 WHIP with expected stats that support these surface numbers. He’s just good and with a 40% strikeout rate, why would the Angels go anywhere else? Don’t answer that!.. Ben Joyce is fun but the team won’t want to overwork him. He will get some saves but Natera should still be involved.
Sacramento A’s
The A’s have finally filtered out the older, more experienced, bullpen names, in favor of young guys with stuff. Alvarado and Medina are fun power arms figuring out how to get guys out but this role belongs to Hogan Harris. Harris is striking out almost 30% of hitters and has an ERA of 3.63. The problem? He can’t get out of at bats… meaning he doesn’t get chase (1st percentile). The trend I’m seeing across baseball is that pitchers with curveball’s as the primary breaking pitch get into deep counts because curveballs are easier to foul off than a slider. Ultimately, Harris is the guy but the WHIP hurts and in dynasty formats, Harris is a sell high to a contender.
Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona released their save leader Paul Sewald. Since, Brandyn Garcia has got two save and Kevin Ginkel another. I can’t help but think Juan Morillo is the most interesting arm in this bullpen but Arizona has always prioritized getting to the ninth rather than having the best stuff in the ninth. As it stands, I’d call Garcia the favorite for saves except he’s the only leverage LHP they have in the bullpen. He strikes out 29% of hitters and keeps the ball on the ground at an elite rate so if the situation calls for a LHP in the eighth inning, then Garcia will be called upon. Now is a good time to speculate on Morillo.
Justin Martinez is making rehab outings and appears close to returning. I don’t trust closers who are returning from major elbow surgery but I see an opportunity for him to get opportunities to close even if he isn’t pitching on back to back nights
Kansas City Royals
At the very least, we finally have clarity on who it isn’t. Lucas Erceg and Alex Lange have been nothing short of brutal, forcing a shift away from them in high-leverage spots. Recently, Steven Cruz and Nate Pearson have both managed to vulture saves. On Tuesday, Cruz handled the eighth and promptly coughed up the lead, while Pearson followed with a clean ninth. If I’m placing my bets, I’m stacking my chips on Pearson. The former Blue Jays top prospect has seen his career derailed by a laundry list of injuries, but the stuff is still there—a triple-digit heater paired with a deep, starter-esque arsenal. The catch? The walks have always been a headache. Pearson should get the next look, but given how poorly this Royals bullpen has been managed all year, I wouldn’t exactly hold my breath for a lengthy run of dominance.
Baltimore Orioles
This is one of the harder bullpens to gauge. Yennier Cano has been brilliant all season and just signed an extension. Given that Cano is pitching better than anyone else it feels like the Orioles will use him to tackle the most difficult spot in the order any time after the sixth inning. Cano is the guy I’d want but expect Andrew Kittredge and even Rico Garcia to pick up the occasional save.
New York Mets
With Devin Williams set to miss time, Kodai Senga snagged the first save opportunity and looked rejuvenated. The fastball was up to 100 and the ghost fork was back. It makes sense for the Mets to find some value in Senga and it wouldn’t be the first time a struggling starter has moved to the bullpen and becomes dominant again. Senga should be the top bullpen add this week
Pittsburgh Pirates
Would love for the Pirates to create a save opportunity so we can finally see how they set up their bullpen. It would make sense that Mason Montgomery would get the saves against dangerous left handed batters with Weaver facing right handers. The Pirates used a similar setup to start the season with Gregory Soto and Dennis Santana. Before Santana went full meltdown. I’ve been banging the drum for Montgomery for a month and even predicted this scenario before the Weaver trade but objectively, I think Weaver and Montgomery split the save duties
Los Angeles Dodgers
Edwin Diaz blew his first couple save opportunities after returning from the injured list but secured a save Monday. Tanner Scott has been getting the job done but expect the Dodgers to be patient with Diaz. If you’re trying to chase down some points in the saves categories, I’d feel comfortable dropping Scott for someone with a more clear path to immediate saves.