With Opening Day less than two weeks away, it’s time to focus on spring results and potential changes in bullpen hierarchies with draft season in full swing. Today’s ledger features Spring Training games from Friday and an unfortunate update for an Angels reliever.
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WBC
Team USA
Preserving a quarterfinal win over Canada, Mason Miller fired a clean bottom of the ninth, striking out the side for his first save. He threw 18 pitches (13 strikes – 72.2 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (16.7 SwStr%).
Through seven appearances this spring, he boasts a robust 50 K-BB percentage.
Garrett Whitlock worked a clean eighth, striking out one for his first hold.
David Bednar gave up two hits and recorded two strikeouts in a scoreless seventh, securing his first hold, throwing 26 pitches (18 strikes – 69.2 Strike%) with six whiffs (23.1 SwStr%).
He has an 18.5 K-BB percentage through his combined seven outings.
Spring Vibes
American League
Houston Astros
Another sideways appearance for Bryan Abreu. He allowed two hits, both solo home runs, and recorded a strikeout at the bottom of the fourth, facing St. Louis. He threw 13 pitches (8 strikes – 61.5 Strike%) and induced one whiff.
It’s spring, but of his four hits against, three have been home runs. Both on Friday were on sliders:
Tampa Bay Rays
Relievers do go through dead arm periods at this point in spring, but Bryan Baker had a second straight sullied outing. He allowed three hits, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out one at the bottom of the sixth versus Boston. He threw 21 pitches (11 strikes – 52.4 Strike%) and induced three whiffs (14.3 SwStr%). After five appearances, he has a 2.40 WHIP with five strikeouts versus one walk (15.5 K-BB%).
Entering at the bottom of the sixth, Chris Martin was scoreless despite issuing a walk. He threw 20 pitches (55 Strike%) and induced one whiff.
He has not been sharp this spring, producing a 63.5 strike percentage with a 1.67 WHIP in his first three contests.
The Athletics
(SS vs. SD) – Mark Leiter Jr. notched his first hold, giving up a hit and striking out two in a scoreless sixth. He threw 16 pitches (62.5 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (12.5 SwStr%).
Hogan Harris navigated around two hits and struck out one in a scoreless seventh for his first hold on 24 pitches (75 Strike%) with four whiffs (16.7 SwStr%).
(SS vs. MIL) – Justin Sterner retired the side and recorded a strikeout at the bottom of the fourth, throwing 11 pitches (63.6 Strike%) with three whiffs (27.3 SwStr%).
National League
Arizona Diamondbacks
Working around a hit batter and a two-out single, Paul Sewald finished a clean bottom of the third against the Royals. He threw 16 pitches (75 Strike%) and induced one whiff. Though his average velocity remained stable, his maximum velocity in this outing was 93.5 miles per hour.
Through four appearances, he’s posted a 1.00 WHIP with three strikeouts and no walks.
Atlanta Braves
Perhaps motivated by the team bringing in competition and insurance at the closer position, Raisel Iglesias fired a clean top of the fifth and recorded two strikeouts. He threw 11 pitches (10 strikes – 90.9 Strike%) and generated four whiffs (36.4 SwStr%).
After this outing, he has a 1.00 WHIP with three strikeouts against zero walks (27.3 K-BB%). Robert Suarez worked a clean sixth, striking out two on 12 pitches (75 Strike%) with three whiffs (25 SwStr%).
He’s posted a 0.67 WHIP with five strikeouts versus zero walks (45.5 K-BB%).
Milwaukee Brewers
A curious outing for Trevor Megill. He only retired two batters, both via strikeout, and gave up two hits, including a solo home run (Colby Thomas) at the bottom of the fifth. He threw 14 pitches (11 strikes – 78.6 Strike%) and generated five whiffs (35.7 SwStr%).
He has made four spring appearances, posting a 1.362 WHIP with seven strikeouts versus one walk (40 K-BB%) across 3.2 innings.
New York Mets
Devin Williams completed a scoreless top of the fourth despite allowing two hits and recording two strikeouts. He threw 25 pitches (60 Strike%) and racked up five whiffs (20 SwStr%).
Through five spring contests, he’s posted a 0.80 WHIP with eight strikeouts versus one walk (36.8 K-BB%).
Philadelphia Phillies
Jhoan Duran fired a clean sixth, striking out two. He threw nine pitches (88.9 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (22.2 SwStr%).
By my count, he has logged four innings, allowing one baserunner (0.25 WHIP) while racking up seven strikeouts (53.8 K-BB%) and a robust 17.6 percent swinging strike rate.
San Francisco Giants
Ryan Walker retired the side on eight pitches (50 Strike%) with one whiff at the bottom of the fifth.
This marked his fifth appearance, during which he has recorded a 0.60 WHIP with six strikeouts and no walks (31.6 K-BB%).
St. Louis Cardinals
Taking over at the top of the sixth, Ryne Stanek allowed a walk and recorded three strikeouts on 16 pitches (62.5 Strike%) with five whiffs (31.3 SwStr%).
JoJo Romero gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless seventh on nine pitches (77.8 Strike%) with one whiff (11.1 SwStr%).
Riley O’Brien fired a clean eighth (versus prospects) and recorded a strikeout. He threw 10 pitches (50 Strike%) and produced one whiff.
Drew Smith fired a clean sixth and recorded a strikeout on 13 pitches (8 strikes – 61.5 Strike%) with one whiff.
He remains a sleeper for saves as the season progresses if he can stay healthy.
Injury Update
Los Angeles Angels
I genuinely feel bad for him. This puts the race for saves between Kirby Yates, Drew Pomeranz, and Jordan Romano into high gear with Opening Day fast approaching.
Thanks for being part of the Closer Monkey community. Stay safe, and be well.
Statistical Credits: