It’s been two disappointing seasons for former closers Scott Barlow and José Leclerc, however, they are showing some positives down the stretch, giving us a glimpse of their potential upside.
For Barlow, it was anyone’s guess as to whether the Royals would even be able to trade him with how bad he was pitching leading up to the trade deadline. He then got off to a terrible start in San Diego but over his past 19.1 IP, Barlow has a 0.47 ERA (2.83 SIERA), 0.78 WHIP to go with 32.4% K and 36.8% CSW rates, and if Josh Hader signs elsewhere this offseason, could be the favorite to close out games for the Padres next year.
Leclerc has been more hit or miss lately but has been a steady reliable reliever since the start of July, which can not be said about the likes of Aroldis Chapman or Will Smith in that bullpen. Since July started, Leclerc has a respectable 2.60 ERA (3.77 SIERA), 1.08 WHIP, plus 15.5% SwStr and 29% K rates over his past 27.2 IP. He also picked up the team’s last save and could be leaned on in that closer role the rest of the way depending on how the team decides to use Chapman.
Notes
- With Elvis Peguero landing on the IL, along with the recent struggles of Joel Payamps, Abner Uribe may be the Brewers’ top set-up option entering the postseason. Uribe picked up three holds this past week, and while walks have been an issue for him (7 over 8.1 September innings), he’s allowed just ONE hit over his past 9.1 innings of work as his pure stuff is just so filthy. He continues to trend up and I think is a reliever we can fully trust down the stretch despite his inexperience.
- Caleb Ferguson had gotten off to a nice start this season before fading in the middle of the year, but he’s been pitching a lot better lately, not allowing a walk over his past 7.1 IP while also striking out 12 over that span. The WHIP has been an issue for much of the season
- Fernando Cruz ranks 8th amongst all qualified relievers this season in K% with an impressive 34.1% rate (thanks to an elite splitter) and while the holds are few and far between, he does have one over the past week and could see a higher leverage role down the stretch with how well he has been pitching recently. Over his past 17.1 IP, Cruz has a 40% K rate (21.1% SwStr and 35.3% CSW rates), 2.55 ERA (2.51 SIERA) and 0.91 WHIP.
- The Royals may have found a potential high-leverage bullpen option in James McArthur, who has been far and away their best reliever in September. McArthur is a big guy but he doesn’t overpower with his fastball, leaning more on his curveball and slider (similar to Scott Barlow). The Pirates have also found an interesting bullpen piece in Carmen Mlodzinski, although we could see him potentially start some guys next year and moving forward. For now, though, Mlodzinski has settled into a setup role in Pittsburgh as he’s also having a great September.
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