9/13/2021

Relievers throw more?

 

Nowadays, MLB teams are relying more one their bullpen. Hence, each team uses relievers very often and I would like to know which relievers threw more innings than any other these seasons.


Back in 2015, Dellin Betances threw 84 innings over 74 games for the New York Yankees. 84 innings were the most among MLB relief pitchers. There was no doubt that Betances was one of the most reliable relievers in the majors, he posted a 1.50 ERA and a 1.01 WHIP, at the same time, opponents only hit .157 against him. Additionally, he punched out 131 batters. However, due to shoulder injury, Betances only tossed one inning for the Mets so far this season.


In 2016, Brad Hand was claimed by the Padres. For the Padres, it was a great decision. Hand was solid in the bullpen, as a reliever, he tossed 89.1 innings over 82 games and posted a 2.92 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP. Meanwhile, Hand struck out 111 batters. This month, the Mets claimed him off waivers from the Blue Jays and Hand already tossed 6 games for the Mets.


In the 2017 season, Yusmeiro Petit was playing for the Angels and threw 87.1 innings that led among MLB relief pitchers. Petit owned a 2.89 ERA and a 0.96 WHIP while throwing 96 strikeouts in 59 games. Also, Petit made one start for the Angels in 2017. Petit has played for the Oakland A’s since the 2018 season. By far, Petit already made 70 relief appearances for the A’s this season.


The Rays began using an opener in the 2018 season and Ryan Yarbrough’s main role was the long reliever then. Yarbrough made 6 starts and 32 relief appearances in 2018. As a reliever, Yarbrough threw 118.2 innings, leading among MLB relief pitchers. Additionally, he earned 14 wins and took 4 losses while posting a 3.72 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP. During the 2021 season, Yarbrough made 20 starts and 6 relief appearances for the Rays thus far.


In the 2019 season, Sam Gaviglio threw 95.2 innings, which were the most among MLB relievers. Gaviglio owned a 4.61 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP over 52 games for the Blue Jays. Nonetheless, he hasn’t pitched in the majors yet in 2021.


Last season, Jonathan Hernandez threw 31 innings over 27 games for the Rangers and he had a good 2.90 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP. Moreover, he punched out 31 batters and opponents batted .218 against Hernandez. However, due to injury, Hernandez has yet pitched a game for the Rangers in the 2021 season.


Throw at least 70 innings (Reliever)

~2021.09.12

Player

IP

Chad Green

74.0

Duane Underwood Jr.

72.2

Giovanny Gallegos

71.1

Yusmeiro Petit

71.0

Garrett Whitlock

70.1

Chris Stratton

70.1

Craig Stammen

70.0

Tyler Rogers

70.0


This season, 8 relief pitchers already threw at least 70 innings so far. Chad Green already tossed 74 innings over 59 relief appearances for the Yankees. He currently owns a 3.28 ERA and a 0.89 WHIP. He already threw 87 strikeouts and opponents only hit .195 against Green. Also, Bryan Shaw, Yusmeiro Petit and Tyler Rogers each made 70 relief appearances so far. Tyler Rogers has been very solid in the Giants bullpen with a 1.67 ERA and a 0.99 WHIP. Moreover, Giovanny Gallegos and Craig Stammen each post a below 1 WHIP as well.


When we look back over the last 6 seasons, mostly, relievers threw less than 100 innings in a single season. The only exception was that the Rays began to use an opener in 2018 and Yarbrough was a long reliever. Each team has around 20 games in the rest of the 2021 season, we probably won’t see a relief pitcher to toss more than 100 innings this year.

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