What if during Spring Training someone gave you the following bullpen line:
65 IP, 2.77 ERA, 12 SV, 20 BB, 71 Ks and a 0.923 WHIP
If given three guesses, in order they likely would have been: Bobby Parnell, Jeurys Familia, Jenrry Mejia. Parnell would have come first because you might have assumed it would take a while for him to assume the closer’s job. Familia would have been second because it would be hard to imagine Mejia starting out with the job and having those numbers and not having more saves.
But if you were told it would be the entire bullpen’s output after 26 games, my guess is that you wouldn’t believe it. Especially if you knew that Vic Black, Josh Edgin, Mejia and Parnell had not thrown a single pitch. This is pretty remarkable production, one we’re not used to seeing in April from our bullpen. Last year in the season’s first month, Gonzalez Germen, Familia, Jose Valverde, Scott Rice and Parnell all had ERAs over four, with a group ERA of 4.89 for the quintet.
This year only two bullpen guys have pitched two innings or more and have an ERA over four. And one of those was Rafael Montero, a starting pitcher miscast in his role. Only Buddy Carlyle is struggling and even that is probably a misnomer. Carlyle had a bad outing against the Nationals but overall has a 1.143 WHIP and has 6 Ks in 7 IP.
Everything starts with Familia, who has been nothing short of incredible while claiming the closer’s job for the first time in his career. He’s on pace for an All-Star season and may never relinquish his spot as the man. But he’s had plenty of company. Jerry Blevins was masterful in his LOOGY role before getting hurt. Alex Torres may look like a Russian dancer with his hat, but his changeup has given opposing batters fits. Sean Gilmartin and Erik Goeddel have been surprisingly effective, with Goeddel yet to give up a run.
Injuries to pitchers expected to hold down bullpen positions has allowed the depth of the system to show. Jack Leathersich and Hansel Robles both came up and made their major league debuts and showcased the kind of stuff to succeed in the majors.
It’s fun to have a bullpen that doesn’t give you the jitters when the manager makes the call to the pen.
A smart observer would not be that surprised by the bullpen production if you looked at what they did last year.
2014 Bullpen ERA by month
Apr: 3.98 ERA
May: 2.74 ERA
Jun: 3.07 ERA
Jul: 2.65 ERA
Aug: 4.09 ERA
Sep: 2.06 ERA
Excluding April, that’s a 2.96 ERA and just just 2 out of 6 months with ERAs higher than 3.07, and is it anyone’s surprise the bullpen got better after they jettisoned the over-30 crowd of Rice, Valverde and Farnsworth?
Not fair to include Farnsworth and his 3.18 ERA in with the problems.
Smart observers say last year’s bullpen and this year’s bullpen have very little in common. 3 guys pitching now pitched last year. Carlos Torres and Buddy Carlyle have the 2 worst ERAS in the pen
And just wait until Parnell and then Mejia come back. It’s going to be a great season,Brian.
Really wasn’t too concerned about the BP heading into the season, but I couldn’t have expected them to be so good. Especially with the injuries. It’s been a very pleasant surprise.
I really hope that they can keep this up. It has been the saving grace for this team, at times.
One worries about the way TC will handle the pen as things tighten up in the NL East. His track record, especially with lefties, is not promising.
Bullpen has been a godsend. That they’re succeeding despite ao many key injuries ia not just a testament to depth but also to how bullpens are best built from within the organization. Unless you’re able to land the big fish like the Yankees or the Padres did it’s very rare that a pen is successfully pieced together with spare parts.
Familia is looking like one of the best closers in the game. His accuracy has just been scary good this entire season, and it looks like his stuff just keeps getting better.