Grading the 2023 Pirates -- Bullpen
David Bednar and a constantly changing supporting cast did pretty well
Pirates’ relievers were only 19th in MLB in ERA, but they were 11th in fWAR and 10th in win probability added. Of course, a lot of that was one guy, who was third among relievers in fWAR and seventh in WPA.
Below are total relief appearances. If you think back to January, how many of the top seven, once you get past the first two, were even on your radar?
David Bednar - 66
Colin Holderman - 58
Dauri Moreta - 55
Jose Hernandez - 50
Ryan Borucki - 36
Carmen Mlodzinski - 34
Angel Perdomo - 30
Yohan Ramirez - 26
Yerry De Los Santos - 22
Rob Zastryzny - 20
Duane Underwood, Jr. - 20
Robert Stephenson - 18
Colin Selby - 16
Cody Bolton - 16
Thomas Hatch - 10
Hunter Stratton - 8
Roansy Contreras - 8
Osvaldo Bido - 7
Chase De Jong - 6
Andre Jackson - 5
Wil Crowe - 5
Kyle Nicolas - 4
Bailey Falter - 3
Luis Ortiz - 3
Quinn Priester - 2
Chris Owings - 1
AFL Update
Jack Brannigan picked up another pair of hits for the Salt River Rafters, including his second home run of the fall. The other was an infield single, an opportunity to flash his speed.
On the mound, Cameron Junker came in to get the final two outs of the third inning, picking up a strike out as well. The scoreless outing brings his fall ERA down to 7.20.
If anyone is into that sort of the thing, a long but really fun listen of the NS9 podcast with McKenry as a guest! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wns9-pittsburgh-pirates-mlb-playoffs-w-michael-mckenry/id1121087373?i=1000631822296
Rated the 2023 BP an A - they hung in all year and were the glue holding together a shaky Rotation. Give cred to BC for picking Jose Hernandez in the Rule 5, getting Dauri Moreta from Cincy for Kevin Newman, and picking up Ryan Borucki during the season. And, continuing, our Closer David Bednar came in the Musgrove trade with SD, Colin Holderman came from the Mets for Vogelbach, and Carmen Mlodzinski is our only home grown Reliever of the Top 6 in the BP.
If it was not for Bowen and Brannigan, Salt River would have very little power. Brannigan has been playing very well defensively at SS, and has picked up his game offensively. He is yet another multi-skilled IF being strong at both 3B and SS, which tells me he could be strong at 2B and 1B also. With his arm strength would it be wise to get him some time in the OF?