Arizona Diamondbacks – Not the news anyone wants to see, Paul Sewald suffered a Grade 2 left oblique strain and will open the year on the injured list per Nick Piecoro in this tweet on “X”. In a follow-up note, manager Torey Lovullo did not want to name an interim closer, but Piecoro intimated Ginkel should receive the first save opportunity of the season, which we agree with. Last year, he went 9-1 while converting four of six save chances and recorded eight holds. Through 60 appearances, he logged 65.1 innings with a 70:23 K:BB (18.5 K-BB%), 0.98 WHIP, and a 12.9 swinging strike percentage. Over his last 27 outings, he won six of seven decisions with 36 strikeouts over 27.2 innings. Here’s hoping he carries over last year’s gains into the start of the season.
Projected Hierarchy: Kevin Ginkel | Ryan Thompson | Scott McGough
Minnesota Twins – In a column highlighting how Griffin Jax has improved his arsenal, Do-Hyoung Kim of MLB.com also shared Rocco Baldelli’s leverage plans with Jhoan Durán sidelined at the onset of the season. Jax will be a high-leverage option, but will share save chances with Brock Stewart, which forces an adjustment of our projected hierarchy. Plan on Jax being the HLR (highest-leveraged reliever), facing the toughest lineup pocket in the eighth or ninth inning, no exclusively deployed in the ninth. If this happens, Stewart would receive the save chance. Plan accordingly.
Adjusted Hierarchy: *Griffin Jax | *Brock Stewart | Steven Okert
Toronto Blue Jays – Although there’s no confirmation in this tweet by Shi Davidi on “X”, manager John Scheider acknowledges “it’s reasonable to say Jordan Romano and Erik Swanson will begin the season on the IL”. Hopefully, more news emerges, but if they do not throw bullpens until next week, it’s time the hierarchy shifts ahead of Opening Day.
Projected Hierarchy: *Yimi García | *Chad Green | Génesis Cabrera
Colorado Rockies – In Patrick Saunders’ bullpen preview for the Denver Post, he wrote Justin Lawrence is “penciled” in as the closer with Tyler Kinley projected as the primary set-up reliever in the eighth inning role. It’s been a camp competition for the ninth inning, but as it stands, plan on this adjustment in the leverage ladder unless Bud Black suggests otherwise.
Adjusted Hierarchy: Justin Lawrence | Tyler Kinley | Jake Bird
Chicago White Sox – Remaining guarded in his comments about having a closer, Pedro Grifol says the team will enter the year without one being named in this tweet shared by Scott Merkin of MLB.com. In Grifol’s words, “We’re attacking leverage. Somebody takes it on, somebody takes it on.”. During the team’s scrimmage with its Triple-A affiliate, Michael Kopech pitched for Charlotte, retiring his teammates in order, including a strikeout of Gavin Sheets. Unofficially, he finishes the spring with four scoreless appearances as a reliever with a 0.25 WHIP and 4:1 K:BB. Hopefully he get a chance to take the closer role on soon.
Projected Hierarchy: *Michael Kopech | *John Brebbia | Jordan Leasure
Quick Hits (Game Recaps from March 25)
Atlanta Braves -With the regular season drawing nearer, Raisel Iglesias fired a much-needed clean outing, striking out one in the sixth. He finishes spring with a 1.83 WHIP while racking up 13 strikeouts versus four walks over 7.2 innings. As a veteran, getting through the spring healthy represents a win.
Houston Astros – Playing it’s Triple-A affiliate in an exhibition, Ryan Pressly suffered a blown save, giving up two hits, an earned run, and a walk while striking out one. Josh Hader fired a clean sixth, striking out the side. He threw 16 pitches (11 strikes – 68.8 Strike%) and induced three whiffs (18.8 SwStr%). This does not count toward his spring totals, but he recorded a 1.24 WHIP with five strikeouts over 5.2 innings through six outings. Biggest thing from this outing, his slider usage, courtesy of Statcast:
Last year, Hader used his sinker over seventy percent of the time with San Diego last year, this could increase his strikeout percentage in 2024.
New York Yankees – Entering in the sixth inning on Monday, Clay Holmes secured his fourth hold with a scoreless outing, giving up a hit and striking out one. He threw 17 pitches (11 strikes – 64.7 Strike%) with two whiffs (11.8 SwStr%). Through seven outings, he’s posted a 1.41 WHIP with seven strikeouts against one walk.
Oakland A’s – Dominating Giants hitters, Mason Miller fired a clean top of the ninth, striking out the side on 13 pitches (69.2 Strike%) while producing six whiffs (46.2 SwStr%). Five of his pitches exceeded 100 m.p.h. and he finished spring with a 0.91 WHIP with 14 strikeouts over 7.2 innings. Lucas Erceg navigated around two hits and a walk while striking out one for a scoreless eighth. Dany Jiménez retired the side in order in the seventh, as did Zach Jackson in the sixth.
San Diego Padres – Turning in a labored tune-up, Robert Suarez allowed a hit, an earned run, and a walk while striking out two in the top of the ninth versus Seattle. He threw 24 pitches (50 Strike%) inducing three whiffs (12.5 SwStr%). Yuki Matsui tossed a scoreless eighth, yielding a hit and striking out three on 16 pitches (75 Strike%) with four whiffs (25 SwStr%). Jhony Brito fired a clean seventh, striking out two.
Seattle Mariners – In his final spring tuneup, Andrés Muñoz turned in a scoreless sixth, allowing a two-out single by Ha-Seong Kim. Muñoz threw 12 pitches (66.7 Strike%) with one whiff. He’s made seven appearances and posted a 1.05 WHIP with six strikeouts versus zero walks through 6.2 innings. Ryan Divish also provided two injury updates. First, Matt Brash threw 20 pitches and will throw again in a few days during his build-up phase per this tweet. Gregory Santos will undergo an MRI on March, and if it’s clean, he will resume his throwing program.
Tampa Bay Rays – Collecting his second win this spring, Pete Fairbanks fired a clean eighth, striking out one on 15 pitches (60 Strike%) with three whiffs (20 SwStr%). He’s made six appearances and posted a 0.88 WHIP with eight strikeouts versus two walks over 5.2 innings. Colin Poche only retired one batter and walked two in the seventh. Jason Adam worked a scoreless sixth, giving up a hit and striking out three.
Closer Monkey’s filthy pitch of the day goes to Brent Honeywell‘s screwball, note his catcher’s reaction, courtesy of the Pitching Ninja.
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