June 2, 2015

Miami Marlins – Former closer Steve Cishek was demoted to AA ball yesterday and is droppable in all but the deepest of leagues at this point. But meanwhile, another righty with an odd delivery is ascending in Miami: Carter Capps, who takes a Jordan Walden-esque hop off the mound before sending his triple-digit fastball towards the plate. His numbers in seven games since being called up from the minors: 0.96 ERA, 0.54 WHIP, 15 Ks and 0 BBs in 9.1 innings, and Dan Jennings is already using him in high-leverage spots while holding him out of games that Miami is losing (like yesterday). Jennings has also favored Mike Dunn as more of a LOOGY in recent weeks, and Dunn now seems lower on the list of relievers who would get a save when A.J. Ramos needs a night off.

Updated hierarchy: Ramos | Dyson | Capps.

Los Angeles Angels – For a guy with a career 5.67 ERA over two seasons, there’s an awful lot of buzz around Cam Bedrosian. The 23-year-old son of former Cy Young Award winner Steve Bedrosian, the righty throws so hard that his intentional balls are about as fast as anything Mark Melancon is throwing these days. Bedrosian still hasn’t harnessed his control, and has an ugly WHIP despite a decent ERA thus far. But he got the 9th inning in a four-run game yesterday, and doubles as the most interesting arm in the Angels bullpen as well as the reliever who is most likely to get sent to the minors if the Angels need a roster spot. He’s one to watch going forward.

Updated hierarchy: Street | Smith | Bedrosian.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Brad Ziegler, Arizona Diamondbacks – Yesterday’s blowout offered no hints about Arizona’s bullpen hierarchy, so the next save opportunity remains a tossup between Reed and Ziegler.