Brad Ziegler scores another save in Arizona

June 3, 2015

Arizona Diamondbacks -Arizona’s committee kept rolling, with Brad Ziegler picking up a save on Tuesday. More telling was that Addison Reed was nowhere to be found, with Daniel Hudson pitching a clean eighth ahead of Ziegler. There was nothing from manager Chip Hale after the game on the subject, but just days after saying he had renewed confidence in Reed, it’s been Ziegler who has picked up the two save chances. Reed has seen high-leverage chances over that stretch, but Ziegler is getting the ninth when it counts for the moment, meaning he has edged over Reed for now as head of the committee.

Updated hierarchy: *Ziegler | Reed | Hudson.
* = closer-by-committee

Seattle Mariners — Fernando Rodney has 14 saves this year, which is probably thanks to the fact that manager Lloyd McClendon won’t remove him from the closer role despite a 6.85 ERA and another blown save on Tuesday. McClendon defended Rodney again after Tuesday’s game, and gave no indication that he’ll move in a different direction anytime soon. Sorry, Carson Smith.

Hierarchy remains: Rodney | Smith | Wilhemsen.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Addison Reed, Arizona Diamondbacks – While Brad Ziegler may have edged to the front of the hierarchy, Addison Reed may get the call in the ninth.
2. Chad Qualls, Houston Astros – Luke Gregerson has pitched in two straight.

Carter Capps dominating; Cam Bedrosian worth watching

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.

Santiago Casilla roughed up; Arizona still committee-ing

June 1, 2015

Colorado Rockies – John Axford needed a night off, so Scott Oberg picked up his first career save. Oberg certainly wouldn’t have been our first choice — the 25-year-old rookie has all of 19 big league appearances (3 holds) and hasn’t been especially impressive — but he’s only allowed 1 run in his last eight appearances, so maybe Walt Weiss was playing the hot hand. We’ll tentatively welcome him to the hierarchy and keep an eye on his usage going forward.

Updated hierarchy: Axford | Betancourt | Oberg.

Arizona Diamondbacks – Just days after saying that he had renewed confidence in Addison Reed, Chip Hale ran his former closer out in the 8th inning of a tie game. That doesn’t mean Reed won’t get the save chance, but it’s definitely still a committee in Arizona.

Hierarchy remains: *Reed | Ziegler | Hudson.
* = closer-by-committee

San Francisco Giants – Santiago Casilla picked up his third blown save of the season when he allowed four runs in the 9th inning against the Braves. Casilla has been very effective this season, as his ERA sits at 2.82 even after Sunday’s shellacking. But his WHIP (1.48) and FIP (4.48) suggest he’s been quite fortunate, and with former closer Sergio Romo and youngster Hunter Strickland looming, Casilla will be in trouble if he blows another save or two.

Hierarchy remains: Casilla | Romo | Strickland.

Tampa Bay Rays – If there was ever a time to give someone other than Brad Boxberger a save opportunity, it was earlier this week, after he had consecutive bad outings. Instead, Kevin Cash went back to the righty immediately for the next two save chances, and Box converted them both. We know the Rays have said otherwise all season, but until they actually use someone else in the 9th, we’re finally removing the committee asterisk.

Hierarchy remains: Boxberger | McGee | Jepsen.

Cleveland Indians – After almost every other reliever in the Indians pen had been used, Austin Adams picked up his first career save in the 12th inning on Sunday. Adams has good numbers thus far, but does not factor in to the Indians usual late inning plans.

Hierarchy remains: Allen | McAllister | Hagadone.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joe Smith, Los Angeles Angels – Huston Street has pitched in three straight.
2. Sergio Romo, San Francisco Giants – Santiago Casilla might get a night off to clear his head after his worst outing of the season.