On this last weekend in June, bullpens look to have stabilized for most teams. The old standbys are finding continued success, like Josh Hader and Emmanuel Clase. Some new names are also mentioned here to monitor, guys like Grant Taylor and Daniel Palencia.
There is something for everyone here, so let’s look behind the curtain and get some bullpen updates as the calendar ticks off into July. Where does the time go, my friends?
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Fantasy Baseball Bullpen Update
AL East
Baltimore: Felix Bautista has 16 saves, a 2.60 ERA, and a 33.6% K%. Could he be traded if the Orioles continue to struggle in last place?
It appears that Devin Williams and Luke Weaver will be a committee in New York. Williams got the only save chance this week and converted it. Williams is up to 11 saves while Weaver remains at eight. This could be an interesting situation to monitor as we head into July this coming week. On Friday night, Williams earned the save and was set up by Weaver. I think that will be the way it goes most nights as long as Williams remains effective in the closer role.
Pete Fairbanks earned back-to-back saves this week and now has 15 on the season for Tampa Bay. The strikeout rate has dwindled to 20.2%, but the ERA is tidy at 2.30.
AL Central
Grant Taylor got the only save for the White Sox this week, and it appears that the team is getting close to solving its closer woes by putting him in the top spot as he gains more experience. Taylor has gotten into seven games and looks the part, with a save, three holds, a 2.25 ERA, and a 26.7% K%. Manager Will Venable continues to befuddle some with his bullpen tactics, but it seems clear that Taylor is a better option than Steven Wilson or Brandon Eisert.
No saves in Detroit this week, which is still a timeshare between Will Vest and Tommy Kahnle. I would still rank Vest slightly ahead of Kahnle based on current usage patterns.
AL West
Michael Kelly is back for the Athletics, even as Mason Miller remains the closer. Kelly is the top setup option at this time with fellow righty Tyler Ferguson.
Josh Hader continues his monster season with four more saves this week, running his total to 22 with a tidy 1.72 ERA and whopping 40.3% K%.
Los Angeles: Kenley Jansen continues his strong early summer push, lowering his ERA to 4.23 this week while he remains stuck on 15 saves. Jansen seems likely to be a trade candidate despite the Angels treading water in the playoff hunt. Reid Detmers and Ryan Zeferjahn remain the top setup options.
Interesting usage in Seattle on Tuesday night, where closer Andres Munoz came on in the eighth in a tie game and Matt Brash got the ninth inning for the save, his first one of the year. Don’t read too much into it; Munoz had only pitched once over the last 10 days, and it looks like manager Dan Wilson was just trying to get him some work. Still, Seattle has mixed and matched with Munoz and Brash before, but it seems like Munoz will remain in the top spot here; he’s been terrific all season. Munoz did blow a save on Friday night, a game that Seattle came back and won later.
Robert Garcia got the only save this week in Texas, where he seemingly remains in a timeshare with Luke Jackson. In that game, Jackson got the win.
NL East
Full-blown committee situation in Atlanta, between Dylan Lee, Raisel Iglesias, Pierce Johnson, and Aaron Bummer. Lee and Iglesias got the saves this week, and they are the primary combatants here. Lee has made the most of the opportunity, moving from a setup role to co-closer, earning two saves with a slim 1.77 ERA and 28% K%. Iglesias seems to be righting the ship; he’s had six consecutive scoreless outings after a three-run disaster three weeks ago, and earned a save on Tuesday night. Looking at Statcast, there is still lots to like about Iglesias, and my guess is that manager Brian Snitker is looking to ease him back into the top job.
Calvin Faucher holds the top job in Miami, but Ronny Henriquez also earned a save this week. Faucher has been really good in June, sporting a 1.86 ERA with four saves and a win. Henriquez has not been as good, but Faucher could be building value for a trade, in which case, Henriquez would look like the best bet to be their closer.
Philadelphia: No save chances this week, but Orion Kerkering took a loss Thursday night while giving up a run in a tie game in the eighth inning. The committee between Kerkering and lefty Matt Strahm should continue here until the Phillies do something to augment this bullpen. I would be shocked if the team does not try to get a significant bullpen upgrade this coming month. Solidifying the back end of their bullpen would seem to be a priority for a team built to win this season.
NL Central
Daniel Palencia holds the top job in Chicago, with eight saves on the season. The Cubs recently welcomed Porter Hodge back from the IL, and he stepped into a setip role seamlessly upon his return. The bullpen has been solid for the Cubs, with Ryan Pressly and Brad Keller holding setup roles as well.
We don’t talk enough about Trevor Megill. He is up to 18 saves with a 2.60 ERA and a 28.2% K%. He’s holding the top job in Milwaukee while being supported by Abner Uribe, who has a whopping 22 holds. Jared Koenig (14 holds) and Nick Mears (10 holds) have also been outstanding.
David Bednar looks solid in Pittsburgh, with his fastball back up to 97.1 MPH and a 2.93 ERA and 11 saves to go along with his 34.8% K%.
NL West
Shelby Miller is the last man standing in the desert and is doing an excellent job as the closer. With the devastating news that both Justin Martinez and A.J. Puk are lost for this season and most of next with Tommy John surgeries, Miller is filling in admirably, with nine saves, a 1.97 ERA, and a 27.1% K%. Many players’ bullpens, mine included, have been rescued by Miller this season. Jalen Beeks and Ryan Thompson are the primary setup guys.
Los Angeles: What an intriguing thing this is to watch. Tanner Scott had three saves this week, running his season total to 18. The lineup behind him is fascinating. Kirby Yates and Michael Kopech are both back from injury and serving in setup roles with lefty Alex Vesia, who has been a mainstay all season. The Dodgers have four guys who can close, and another in Blake Treinen, who is on the injured list. It is an embarrassment of riches in Los Angeles, and they could look to add to their bullpen at the trade deadline.
Robert Suarez was suspended for two games this week, and Adrian Morejon took advantage of that opportunity and earned his second save of the season. Suarez should return to the top role this weekend as his suspension comes to an end. The veteran has a win and a save this week before the forced days off.
Camilo Doval stands on shaky ground in San Francisco this week, although he did rebound on Friday night to earn his 13th save of the season. If you can stash Randy Rodriguez, do so. He has a 38.1% K% and is the top setup guy for the Giants right now. Ryan Walker has improved while working in a middle relief role, but not sure he leapfrogs both Rodriguez and Tyler Rogers to get back into the closer role.
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