Toronto Blue Jays – It’s behind a paywall, so the quotes will be brief, however, Kaitlyn McGrath provided updates in her Five questions for the Blue Jays on two key relievers. Erik Swanson played catch on Thursday and Friday while Jordan Romano will throw today (March 23). Because of the timeline, both relievers status for Opening Day remain in question. She also mentioned five relievers who could receive save chances, but it’s purely speculation. Because of this, two hierarchies based on the strong spring results by Yimi García (0.63 WHIP; 16.7 K-BB%):
Projected Hierarchy with good news: Jordan Romano | Erik Swanson | Yimi García
Hierarchy with chaos: *Yimi García | *Chad Green | *Tim Mayza
Now for the unsettled bullpens across the fantasy landscape ahead of drafts this weekend.
Chicago White Sox – Breaking the candidates for save chances once the season begins remains difficult based on any comments provided by manager, Pedro Grifol. With this in mind, here are the limited spring results by two veterans vying for the top spot in the bullpen hierarchy along with the strong spring results by rookie, Jordan Leasure.
- Michael Kopech: 2 appearances as an RP: 2 innings, 1:1 K:BB, 0.50 WHIP
- John Brebbia: 1 game, 1 inning, one strikeout, 1.00 WHIP, 25 K-BB%
- Jordan Leasure: 9 games, 8.1 innings, 9:4 K:BB, 16.7 K-BB%, 0.84 WHIP
Projected Hierarchy (Committee): *Michael Kopech | *John Brebbia | *Jordan Leasure
Colorado Rockies -With both candidates slated to pitch on Saturday against the Reds, their results may sway how Bud Black structures his leverage ladder. Their respective results this spring so far:
- Justin Lawrence: 8 games, 7.1 innings, 10:3 K:BB, 19.4 K-BB%, 2.05 WHIP, 64.5 Strike%, 9.7 SwStr%
- Tyler Kinley: 7 games, 6.1 innings, 8:4 K:BB, 14.8 K-BB%, 1.26 WHIP, 58.3 Strike%, 13.2 SwStr%
Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post leaned toward Kinley, who secured five saves last September as the preferred save option while Thomas Harding of MLB.com placed Lawrence ahead in his roster projection for MLB.com.
Projected Hierarchy: *Tyler Kinley | *Justin Lawrence | Jake Bird
Milwaukee Brewers – During a split-squad game versus Kansas City, Trevor Megill recorded a scoreless outing, walking one and striking out two. Joel Payamps held on for his first hold, allowing a hit and striking out one during two-thirds scoreless in the seventh. In the Brewers other split-squad contest, Abner Uribe tossed a scoreless seventh, yielding a hit and striking out two. With all three pitching on Friday, here are their updated spring statistics, in alphabetical order:
- Trevor Megill: 7 games, 7 innings, 7:2 K:BB, 17.2 K-BB%, 1.29 WHIP, 65.7 Strike%, 17.1 SwStr%
- Joel Payamps: 7 games, 7 innings, 8:0 K:BB, 23.5 K-BB%, 1.57 WHIP, 68.7 Strike%, 9.1 SwStr%
- Abner Uribe: 9 games, 8.1 innings, 9:2 K:BB, 15.8 K-BB%. 1.56 WHIP, 70.2 Strike%, 22.3 SwStr%
New manager, Pat Murphy, has maintained a match-up-based approach that will dictate who receives save chances in early contests while Devin Williams opens the season on the injured list. There’s a chance Payamps ends up being the HLR (highest leveraged reliever) which means he faces the toughest situations (inherited runners) or lineup pockets in the late innings. If this happens, it paves the way for Uribe or Megill for ancillary save chances.
Projected Hierarchy: *Joel Payamps | *Abner Uribe | *Trevor Megill
Philadelphia Phillies – Entering against two left-handed hitters in the top of the sixth, José Alvarado retired both batters faced, including a pinch hitter, for his second hold this spring. He threw 10 pitches (80 Strike%) with no whiffs. Jeff Hoffman fired a clean seventh, striking out the side on 14 pitches (71.4 Strike%) on 14 pitches (71.4 Strike%) and induced three whiffs (21.4 SwStr%). Seranthony Domínguez secured his third hold, allowing a hit and striking out one in a scoreless eighth. Gregory Soto suffered his first loss and blown save, giving up four hits, including two home runs, and four earned runs in the ninth. Since the first three relievers remain our projected hierarchy, here are their updated spring numbers:
- José Alvarado: 7 games, 6.1 innings, 6:2 K:BB, 15.4 K-BB%, 1.11 WHIP, 67 Strike%, 11.7 SwStr%
- Jeff Hoffman: 8 games, 7.2 innings, 10:2 K:BB, 26.7 K-BB%, 0.91 WHIP, 68.7 Strike%, 16.5 SwStr%
- Seranthony Domínguez: 7 games, 7 innings, 7:2 K:BB, 17.2 K-BB%, 1.00 WHIP, 66.7 Strike%, 11.4 SwStr%
Adjusted Hierarchy: *José Alvarado | *Jeff Hoffman | *Seranthony Domínguez
Rob Thomson calls his leverage approach a “floating closer” which may provide Alvarado with the primary save share, but Hoffman’s strong second half and spring get him into the conversation. Domínguez has experience as a closer, which keeps him on the periphery of save opportunities, especially if Alvarado and Hoffman face tougher lineup pockets in the seventh and eighth innings.
Quick Hits (Game Recaps from March 22)
Los Angeles Angels – Staking his claim atop his bullpen’s hierarchy, Carlos Estévez fired a clean ninth, striking out one for his second save this spring. By my count, he threw 10 pitches (70 Strike%) and produced one whiff, the game-ending strikeout. Through seven outings, he owns a 0.71 WHIP with five strikeouts and no walks. Adam Cimber retired the side in order in the eighth, recording two strikeouts, securing his second hold. José Cisnero worked a clean seventh, striking out two for his second hold.
Oakland A’s – (SS vs. CWS): Making his seventh appearance this spring, Lucas Erceg retired the side in order in the fifth. He’s posted a 1.00 WHIP this spring with five strikeouts over eight innings. (SS vs. CIN): Securing his third hold, Zach Jackson worked a clean fourth, striking out one. Dany Jiménez notched his second hold, walking two and striking out one in a scoreless fifth. Mason Miller suffered his first blown save, giving up two hits, including a three-run home run, and a walk while striking out two in two-thirds of the sixth. Through seven outings this spring, he owns a 1.05 WHIP with an 11:2 K:BB over 6.2 innings.
If you are drafting today, best of luck. Here are two resources, depending on your format:
Until next time, stay safe and be well. Sorry for the delay this morning, Syracuse received six-plus inches of snow overnight.
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