MLB Rankings: Best bullpens in Major League Baseball right now
Just a few years ago, bullpen arms weren’t viewed as highly as they are now. With strategy, money and pure talent being harnessed by team’s, bullpens have become essential parts of winning teams — seen in our MLB rankings.
MLB rankings: Bullpens
When one thinks of Major League Baseball’s top relievers, there are mainstays that come to mind.
There are the bonafide closers like Craig Kimbrel, Aroldis Chapman, and Kenley Jensen. Then there are set-up men like Dellin Betances and Andrew Miller.
Following closers and set-up men comes a whole array of various bullpen usages. There’s a lefty or righty specialist, or a “seventh inning guy.”
Simply, it’s impossible to deny the value of the bullpen in modern baseball.
Teams have spent a lot of money on nailing down the best of the best (Hello, Aroldis Chapman). On the other hand, teams have traded elite prospects for just three months of an elite reliever (Looking at you, Chicago Cubs).
If you don’t believe that teams can have their season secured by a good reliever, then look no further than the Cubs’ 2016 World Series win after acquiring Chapman. With this being said, let’s take a look at which teams have flashed the strongest bullpens this season.
MLB Rankings: 1. New York Yankees
The New York Yankees come in at number one on our MLB Rankings list. There should be no debate on this.
The Bombers have an embarrassment of riches in its relief corps from its middle relievers all the way to its closer, Aroldis Chapman. Even with injuries to Adam Warren and Tommy Kahnle, the organization’s depth has stepped up in their absence.
Look no further than the teams recent 4-0 win against the formidable Houston Astros. With starter Jordan Montgomery leaving the game in the first inning and Justin Verlander dealing (14 K’s, three hits in 8 innings), a win seemed unlikely.
Enter, Domingo German. The 25-year-old tossed four scoreless frames and racked up four strikeouts against one of the top lineups in all of baseball.
Dellin Betances looked great again for the sixth game in a row, which is a scary sign for the rest of the game’s hitters.
The real jewel of the New York Yankees bullpen lies in Chad Green, who has emerged as a top-10 reliever in the game. His 1.93 ERA and 12.9 K/9 are numbers that rest among the games best.
Chapman has been his usual self, going 6-for-6 in save opportunities. Lefty Chasen Shreve has dominated this season, too, with a 0.79 ERA in 11.1 innings.
I can assure you, don’t look too much into the group’s rough start to begin the year. This bullpen is the best in baseball.
MLB Rankings: 2. Milwaukee Brewers
Before you prepare to scream at me for this MLB rankings pick, then hear me out. If you haven’t heard of Josh Hader, listen up. Seriously.
With his electric arm and insane strikeout numbers, he’s been the talk of baseball. The 24-year-old has struck out 39 batters in 18 innings. That comes out to an unbelievable 19.5 K/9 rate.
Do yourself a favor, read up on the emerging relief ace. However, he’s far from the only one who’s dazzled in the Brew Crew’s ‘pen. Jeremy Jeffress has started off the year with one of his best starts’ yet; 0.57 ERA, 0.702 WHIP in 15.2 innings.
In addition to Hader and Jeffress’ dominance, the Milwaukee Brewers employ six other relievers with ERA’s below 3.20. In his second year in the majors, Taylor Williams has dazzled on the mound. He’s struck out 16 batters in just 9.1 innings.
Milwaukee finished 2017 as the ninth best bullpen, according to FanGraphs. It’s not a surprise that they’ve continued the success into the new season.
The Milwaukee Brewers currently sit on top of the National League Central standings at 19-13. Their offense has done just enough to keep the team on top.
It’s the bullpen that the team has to thank, though.
MLB Rankings: 3. Houston Astros
The defending World Series champions don’t just have a loaded offense or rotation. Manager AJ Hinch has quite the arsenal available to him in the bullpen.
Of the nine relievers he’s used through this season, five of them have ERA’s under 3.00.
Right-hander Chris Devenski has continued his emergence as a true weapon, with a 0.73 ERA and 14 strikeout’s in 12.1 innings.
After being moved from the rotation to the bullpen, Collin McHugh has been lights out. He owns a ridiculous 14.3 K/9 rate and has allowed just one run in 10.2 innings. The trio of Will Harris, Brad Peacock, and Hector Rondon have combined for a 2.05 ERA.
If you haven’t caught onto the trend, the Astros’ bullpen doesn’t allow a lot of runs.
The depth of Houston’s bullpen surely says something about how they are built in general. It’s the perfect bridge to what is shaping up to be a dominant rotation headlined by the brilliance of Gerrit Cole.
Next: MLB: Which Teams are Destined to Sell?
An area of concern for Houston lies in its closer, Ken Giles. He’s allowed six earned runs in 10.1 innings of work. He’s allowed only one home run and literally beat himself up over it, too.
Houston Astros fans need not worry too much, though. Their team is destined for the deep-stretch of the playoffs regardless if Giles’ picks it up or not.