Looking at the Phillies’ bullpen without Archie Bradley
The Philadelphia Phillies announced over the weekend that Archie Bradley would be heading to the 10-day injury list with an oblique strain. Shortly after, they announced that left handed reliever Jojo Romero would be recalled from Lehigh Valley to join the Phillies bullpen.
With Archie Bradley out of the picture for the next few weeks, it creates a huge opportunity for other bullpen arms, including Romero, to step up and make a name for themselves moving forward. Although we have seen plenty of improvement from the bullpen in the early goings of 2021, the answer to the “who can come in and grind out innings when needed?” remains unclear.
My favorite pitcher in the bullpen this year for the Phillies is none other than Connor Brogdon. Brogdon has a fastball in the upper-90s and a change up in the low-to-mid 80s. In his last nine appearances dating back to September 2020, Brogdon has thrown 13 1/3 innings, allowing four hits, zero runs, and two walks, while striking out 18 batters. That’s a 0.00 ERA, a 0.53 WHIP and a .098 opponents’ batting average.
The other two names would be Sam Coonrod and Brandon Kintzler. Coonrod has been responsible for two baserunners in five no-run innings for the Phillies this year. Kintzler, is more of a seasoned veteran who can’t top 97 mph on the radar gun, but is a ground ball machine. Since 2019, he holds a 2.54 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP in 89 appearances and has been used on the Phillies this year more as a long-inning reliever if the fourth and fifth spot in the rotation struggles.
Jose Alvarado is throwing his fastball at 101 mph and but struggles with his location at times. Hector Neris will be locked in to the closer role until further notice. That leaves us with Jojo Romero, who was initially cut at the end of Spring Training. The 24-year old is a left-hander, which the Phillies desperately need and showed flashes of potential last season.
The Phillies will be back in action tonight in New York kicking off a four game series against the New York Mets.
Mandatory Credit: Mitchell Leff | Getty Images
