A pair of Brewer relievers have dominated in the holds department post-All-Star break (pre-break as well) in Joel Payamps and Elvis Peguero, as this Milwaukee organization continues to find and develop relievers better than maybe any organization in baseball.
Since May, Payamps holds a 31.2% K-BB and 32.3% CSW rates with a 0.73 WHIP, 1.36 ERA (2.25 SIERA) and 17 holds over the past 33 innings while Peguero has been solid as well with a 1.07 WHIP, 2.76 ERA, 14% SwStr rate and 14 holds over his past 32.1 IP. It’s unclear what the Brewers plan to do at the deadline, but I’d imagine these two are safe as setup options as the teams shouldn’t be expected to make a splash in the reliever market.
Notes
- The wheels have been coming off the Yankees season as of late, as their bullpen has been an issue amongst other things. Tommy Kahnle has allowed runs in all three of his outings post-All-Star break (five ER total) as he’s dealt with some command issues and unfortunately felt the need to take out his anger on a fan in the team’s dugout yesterday. It’s hard to trust Michael King at the moment as well (11.9% K-BB, 11% SwStr rate, 6.27 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, and 5.17 xFIP over his last 18.2 IP) so Kahnle should still be in the mix for holds moving forward. The trade deadline is certainly shaping up to be an interesting one for this Yankee club that could use help all over the field, but certainly in the bullpen.
- Steven Wilson returned to the Padres’ bullpen after the All-Star break and has already picked up two holds despite allowing two earned runs. The stuff has been down a bit since returning, and perhaps that is just rust, but this team will need a strong second half from him and the rest of the bullpen if they want any chance at climbing back into the playoff race. It also shouldn’t be ruled out that they go out and add a reliever to help Josh Hader out here if they truly are still all in on the season, although they do get Robert Suarez back today.
- Carlos Hernández figures to be one of the biggest benefactors post-trade deadline as Scott Barlow likely being dealt should open up the closer role in Kansas City for him. The Royals have had trouble finding save opportunities at all this year, but perhaps that could change from August onward. Hernández has been great after a rocky start to the season as he has a 2.44 ERA (2.99 SIERA) 0.83 WHIP, 24% K-BB rate and 15% SwStr rates, plus an impressive 127 Stuff+ over his last 32.2 IP.
- Kevin Ginkel may be working his way into the Diamondbacks closer role, as he’s picked up saves on back-to-back days while Scott McGough has been held out. Ultimately, this team should have a new closer after the trade deadline that is currently not on the roster, as no contender needs a closer as much as this team does. That said, Ginkel has been pitching really well over the past two months (13.1 IP), allowing just three hits and three walks while striking out 12.
If you would like more daily reliever updates, please check out our Reliever Ranks series.
Feature image by Michael Packard (@CollectingPack on Twitter) / Photo by Rich von Biberstein/con Sportswire
