Although things seemed stable in Texas’ bullpen hierarchy, Bruce Bochy deployed a new usage pattern during high-leverage innings in the team’s game versus Kansas City on Monday. He suggested it could be “pretty close” to how he lines up high-leverage events this season, per Michael Bier on “X.”
Closing out his first spring save, Luke Jackson retired the side and recorded two strikeouts on 13 pitches (9 strikes – 69.2 Strike%) while producing four whiffs (30.8 SwStr%). He has a 0.50 WHIP with nine strikeouts against one walk (40 K-BB%) in six innings.
- Chris Martin notched his fourth hold, firing a clean eighth and striking out one on 13 pitches (8 strikes – 61.5 Strike%) with four whiffs (30.8 SwStr%). He’s posted a 0.33 WHIP with seven strikeouts (35 K-BB%) through six innings.
- Robert Garcia suffered his first blown save, allowing a solo home run and striking out one in the seventh. He collected his first win due to a rally at the bottom of the frame.
For reference, Kirby Yates had a 1.23 WHIP with 11 strikeouts against three walks across 7.1 innings last spring, then catapulted atop the hierarchy with a strong start in April. Could Texas strike oil again with a reliever one year further removed from injury in Jackson? Time will tell.
Adjusted Projected Hierarchy: *Luke Jackson | *Chris Martin | *Robert Garcia
*= closer-by-committee
Before this happened, the original lead was Trevor Megill and Robert Suarez, who were logging appearances for the first time in over a week.
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Trevor Megill
The good news is that Megill appeared in game action for the first time since March 15. His velocities were improved compared with previous outings, but he also showed some signs of rust. He hit a batter trying to work up and in on his second pitch. A wild pitch with a minor league catcher in the game moved him to second. After recording a strikeout and a ground-out, Owen Miller produced an RBI single on an elevated four-seam fastball, stole second, went to third on a wild pitch, and scored on a single against his slider. Megill finished with two hits, two earned runs, and one strikeout over two-thirds of an inning. He threw 21 pitches (66.7 Strike%) with two whiffs.
Here is his Statcast chart from this outing:
And his pitch illustrator:
His outings will be closely scrutinized by the fantasy community.
Projected Hierarchy remains: Trevor Megill | Joel Payamps | Abner Uribe
Robert Suarez
After working on the backfields, Robert Suarez made his first spring game appearance since March 12 with a scoreless top of the ninth. He gave up a hit and recorded two strikeouts on 15 pitches (80 Strike%) with five whiffs (33.3 SwStr%) facing minor league hitters. He has a 3.21 WHIP with six strikeouts against four walks across 4.2 innings. He did utilize more change-ups in this outing:
And his illustrator:
His velocity could be down by design, but it should be monitored closely once games matter. Widening his arsenal may help him stave off regression, but he’s on the radar for many fantasy players.
Projected Hierarchy remains: Robert Suarez | Jason Adam | Jeremiah Estrada
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Monday’s spring slate.
American League
Boston Red Sox
Entering at the bottom of the seventh in Mexico, Aroldis Chapman struck out the side on 19 pitches (15 strikes – 78.9 Strike%) while producing four whiffs (21.1 SwStr%).
- Justin Wilson worked a clean eighth, striking out two.
- Justin Slaten finished a nine-run win with a clean bottom of the ninth, recording two strikeouts on 11 pitches (72.7 Strike%) with two whiffs (18.2 SwStr%).
Projected Hierarchy remains: Aroldis Chapman | Justin Slaten | Liam Hendriks
Chicago White Sox
- Taking over at the top of the sixth, Mike Clevinger allowed a hit and recorded a strikeout, throwing 14 pitches (78.6 Strike%) with two whiffs (14.3 SwStr%). He has posted a 0.67 WHIP with eight strikeouts against one walk (33.3 K-BB%) over six innings.
Projected Hierarchy remains: Mike Clevinger | Justin Anderson | Fraser Ellard
Cleveland Guardians
- Emmanuel Clase tossed a scoreless bottom of the eighth, completing his spring preparations, allowing a hit and striking out two. He threw 14 pitches (11 strikes – 78.6 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (14.3 SwStr%). He posted a 1.89 WHIP with 11 strikeouts versus two walks (29 K-BB%) across 6.1 innings. Fantasy managers should enjoy seeing more sliders in this outing, and the velocity ticking up.
Projected Hierarchy remains: Emmanuel Clase | Cade Smith | Paul Sewald
Detroit Tigers
- Operating a bullpen game, Tyler Holton was the opener, allowing three hits and an earned run on a solo home run.
- Jason Foley retired the side in the third.
- Andrew Chafin notched his second hold with a scoreless fourth, giving up a hit and striking out two.
- Beau Brieske suffered his first loss and first blown save, yielding three hits, three earned runs, and a walk during two-thirds of the fifth.
- Tommy Kahnle fired a clean bottom of the seventh. Will Vest gave up two hits and an earned run while striking out one in the eighth.
Projected Hierarchy remains: *Beau Brieske | *Will Vest | *Tyler Holton
*= closer-by-committee
Houston Astros
- Although Josh Hader recorded a scoreless top of the ninth, he issued a walk while striking out two on 15 pitches (7 strikes – 46.7 Strike%) with one whiff. He owns a 53.2 strike percentage through eight spring games with a 1.50 WHIP and seven strikeouts against ten walks (-9.1 K-BB%). Also, his velocity has been down, whether it’s a slow gun or by plan:
Projected Hierarchy remains: Josh Hader | Bryan Abreu | Tayler Scott
Los Angeles Angels
- Collecting his first spring win, Ben Joyce tossed a scoreless top of the ninth, walking one and striking out two on 18 pitches (62.5 Strike%) with five whiffs (27.8 SwStr%). He’s recorded a 1.13 WHIP with 15 strikeouts against four walks (31.5 K-BB%) across eight innings. Brock Burke fired a clean eighth on 11 pitches.
Projected Hierarchy remains: Kenley Jansen | Ben Joyce | Brock Burke
Minnesota Twins
- Wrapping up his spring, Jhoan Durán allowed a hit while striking out three at the top of the ninth against the Pirates. He threw 18 pitches (14 strikes – 77.8 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (22.2 SwStr%). He’s posted a 1.20 WHIP with nine strikeouts against four walks (14.3 K-BB%) over 8.1 innings.
Projected Hierarchy remains: Jhoan Durán | Griffin Jax | Cole Sands
New York Yankees
- Tuning up for the regular season, Devin Williams worked a scoreless bottom of the eighth, yielding a hit and striking out one. He threw 18 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and generated five whiffs (27.7 SwStr%). He has a 1.00 WHIP with five strikeouts (31.3 K-BB%) across four innings
Projected Hierarchy remains: Devin Williams | Luke Weaver | Ian Hamilton
Tampa Bay Rays
- Capping his spring with a clean bottom of the fifth, Pete Fairbanks recorded two strikeouts on 10 pitches (90 Strike%) with three whiffs (30 SwStr%). He finishes with a 7:5 K:BB (2 K-BB%) and a 1.80 WHIP, but outings like this remain a key to his success.
Projected Hierarchy remains: Pete Fairbanks | Edwin Uceta | Garrett Cleavinger
The Athletics
- It was a rare rough outing for Mason Miller. He gave up a hit, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out one during two-thirds of the fourth against Chicago. He threw 15 pitches (53.3 Strike%) and induced one whiff. He has nine strikeouts versus one walk (27.6 K-BB%) with a 0.91 WHIP in 7.2 innings.
Projected Hierarchy remains: Mason Miller | José Leclerc | Tyler Ferguson
National League
Arizona Diamondbacks
- Summoned with two runners on at one out at the top of the fifth, Justin Martinez allowed a two-RBI single by José Ramírez, a stolen base, induced a ground out, but let him score on a wild pitch. Martinez finished with a hit against, an earned run, and a strikeout in two-thirds of the fifth, throwing 12 pitches (7 strikes – 58.3 Strike%) with three whiffs (25 SwStr%). He owned a 1.15 WHIP with 13 strikeouts against three walks (28.5 K-BB%) over 8.2 innings.
- A.J. Puk navigated around two hits and recorded one strikeout in a scoreless sixth. He threw 12 pitches (91.7 Strike%) and generated four whiffs (33.3 SwStr%). He finishes spring with a 1.00 WHIP, striking out 12 versus three walks (28.1 K-BB%) through eight innings.
Projected Hierarchy remains: *Justin Martinez | *A.J. Puk | *Kevin Ginkel
Atlanta Braves
- Raisel Iglesias fired a clean ninth, striking out two. He’s posted a 0.67 WHIP with six strikeouts versus two walks (18.2 K-BB%) in six innings.
Projected Hierarchy remains: Raisel Iglesias | Pierce Johnson | Aaron Bummer
Chicago Cubs
- During the top of the second, Ryan Pressly gave up three hits and two earned runs. He has a 1.41 WHIP with five strikeouts over 5.2 exhibition innings.
- Porter Hodge suffered his first loss, allowing two hits and two earned runs while striking out one in the third. He has posted a 1.57 WHIP with 10 strikeouts across seven exhibition innings.
Hierarchy remains: Ryan Pressly | Porter Hodge | Ryan Brasier
Los Angeles Dodgers
- Notching his first spring hold, Tanner Scott tossed a scoreless bottom of the eighth, allowing a hit and striking out two. He threw 13 pitches (10 strikes – 76.9 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (15.4 SwStr%). He’s posted a 1.29 WHIP with nine strikeouts (17.2 K-BB%) in seven innings.
- Blake Treinen fired a clean seventh and recorded two strikeouts for his second hold.
Hierarchy remains: Tanner Scott | Blake Treinen | Kirby Yates
Pittsburgh Pirates
- It’s been a turbulent spring for David Bednar. He allowed a solo home run (Byron Buxton) and recorded a strikeout at the bottom of the fifth. He threw 14 pitches (9 strikes – 64.3 Strike%) and induced one whiff. His 1.75 WHIP has overshadowed his 10:3 K:BB (18.4 K-BB%) through eight innings. Now, fantasy players await Derek Shelton’s decision about save situations.
Projected Hierarchy remains: David Bednar | Dennis Santana | Colin Holderman
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Statistical Credits: