Washington Nationals Editorial: How does the Nats Bullpen Stack Up in the NL East?
By Matt Weyrich
Atlanta Braves
Braves relievers appeared in a combined 485.2 innings in 2015, putting up an ERA of 4.69 while compiling 430 strikeouts, 217 walks, and 44 saves and holding opposing hitters to a .264 batting average against.
Atlanta did not have high expectations for its bullpen entering 2015. With the club still a few years removed from competing in the NL East once again, the Braves’ main focus going into the season was to further develop their young stars of the future. In doing so, they signed several veterans looking for bounce back seasons.
A year later, things are not much different. Jim Johnson and Jason Grilli remain on the roster, having both put together a solid yet disappointing 2015 campaign. As a result, neither player figures to be handed the keys to the ninth inning job this season. Instead, 25-year old Arodys Vizcaíno will be given the chance to prove himself after posting a 1.60 ERA in 36 appearances last season. An underrated name in the field of closers, the Dominican-native has the chance to be a bright spot in an otherwise abysmal bullpen.
Other than Vizcaíno, the Atlanta bullpen does not sport many names to boast about. Some type of combination of Andrew McKirahan, Williams Perez, Kyle Kendrick, Brandon Cunniff, Ryan Weber, and former National Ian Krol will be looking to fill the other four spots by Opening Day. McKirahan, Cunniff, and Weber are the only players of the six to be returning to Atlanta from last season, but all three posted ERA’s above 4.63 in 2015.
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