Phillies 2017 Bullpen Predictions
As Opening Day comes closer and closer, more and more predictions about what may happen this season are thrown out to the public. The last two weeks’ articles took me into the future while analyzing the possibilities of the roster’s lineup and starting rotation at the beginning of the 2020 season. However, with 13 days to endure before the start of regular season Phillies baseball, there is an important aspect of this year’s roster yet to be decided by manager Pete Mackanin: the bullpen.
The Philadelphia bullpen was historically poor last season, and the front office noticed that changes needed to be made. Massive improvements are expected from the relievers this season, and fans should find themselves in the “just witnessed the ‘pen blow a 5-run 9th inning lead” depression far fewer times than in year’s past.
But, who will be a part of one of the most improved bullpens in baseball? Keep in mind that when using the term “most improved” in reference to the Phillies relievers, the thought process is that they were so terrible last year that it would be difficult to not have a significant improvement after making the moves that general manager Matt Klentak made to ensure that the blown leads are few and far between.
The Locks:
Jeanmar Gomez (RHP)
Hector Neris (RHP)
Joaquin Benoit (RHP)
Pat Neshek (RHP)
These four will be the anchor of the Phillies’ bullpen. Gomez is expected to open the season as the team’s closer; however, if Jeanmar starts the season on a cold, or struggles at any point of the season, the job could go to anybody proving themselves a viable option to Mackanin. Neris is the suitor most likely to win the job for the future, and he will have the first chance to steal the role Gomez, who was an all-star candidate last season after a dominant first half of the season as closer.
Neshek and Benoit were offseason additions acquired to bring veteran leadership to and bolster the all-around talent level of the bullpen. They are considered trade deadline chips and are unlikely to spend a full season in Philadelphia, but each has found success in the major leagues and will be major upgrades in relief.
This makes for a much more respectable top group of relievers than the Phillies began the season with last year, and they will keep the team in competitive throughout ballgames. Fans can finally breathe again when the Phils are headed into the final frames with a comfortable lead. Pete Mackanin wants to achieve his .500 (81 wins) goal for the club in 2017, and these four pitchers will be a key aspect of making it to the magic number.
The Questionables:
Edubray Ramos (RHP)
Adam Morgan (LHP)
Joely Rodriguez (LHP)
At least two of these pitchers will be on the final roster, but which two is yet to be known. Ramos impressed in 42 major league games last season, posting a 3.83 ERA with 40 strikeouts in 40 innings. He is only 24-years-old and is considered another candidate to become the closer of the future, along with Neris. The hard-throwing righty could provide a spark from the ‘pen, and in a season with low expectations in terms of team success, there is not much (if any) harm in keeping a future closer in the major leagues for experience.
Adam Morgan has long overstayed his welcome on the Phillies, constantly blowing opportunities to prove himself as a legitimate option to make his way into the starting pitching rotation. However, as a left-hander with big league experience, he could make the team as long-reliever–similar to the role that Brett Oberholtzer held last season. There is a young pitching staff this season, and it is always better to be safe than sorry, especially when a starter might have to be pulled early in a start. Hopefully Morgan would not be used too much, but his stamina will earn him a spot on the roster.
Rodriguez had a 2.79 ERA in 9.2 major league innings last season, Granted it is a limited sample size, the 25-year-old flashed much potential last season. He is a southpaw, and the lack of left-handed pitching in the organization could work in Joely’s favor to start the year. There will be plenty of veteran arms filling the bullpen this season, so maybe Pete Mackanin will feel the need to keep some youthful arms at Citizens Bank Park for the time being.
And if the lack of leftys becomes an issue for the Phillies, maybe Matt Klentak can try to search for an ambidextrous pitcher… if those are even real.
Photo by Bryan Green (via Flickr)
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Categorized:Phillies