It’s pitching preview time, girls and gents. Over the subsequent a number of days, I’ll be writing 10,000 phrases or so about everybody you may see pitching for the Purple Sox to begin the season. Last time, we took a look at the primary middle relief options. At the moment, we’re speaking concerning the final a part of the bullpen: the lefties.
The left-handed aid group is missing depth. Aroldis Chapman is the one southpaw within the bullpen with vital MLB expertise, and he’ll deal with the ninth inning nearly solely. Patrick Sandoval may additionally determine into the combination right here, however that can most likely be in an extended aid position to maintain him stretched out for a spot begin, if needed. Previous that, there aren’t many veterans within the combine.
Whereas the three-batter minimal has modified the position of lefty reliever, it’s nonetheless a singular one. Oftentimes, you’re being known as on to wash up another person’s mess. Current rule adjustments imply that these pitchers want to have the ability to get each side of the plate out, although matching up with pockets of left-handed hitters remains to be their main accountability. The group isn’t very deep, so don’t be shocked to see an addition earlier than the season begins.
Jovani Moran is in pole place to win the spot as the primary lefty out of the bullpen, which is considerably terrifying. Moran threw 4 innings within the majors final season; earlier than that, he hadn’t pitched within the majors since 2023. Luckily, whereas the monitor report of success isn’t there, there’s loads to love about what Moran brings to the desk.
Moran’s finest season got here all the way in which again in 2022. He posted a 2.21 ERA over 40 2/3 innings with a 33% strikeout price and 11% stroll price. He was efficient in opposition to each side of the plate, however his stats in opposition to righties had been barely stronger. It’s because of his changeup, which has posted swinging strike charges over 20% in every of his 4 large league seasons. He retains the ball down effectively, which prevents arduous contact, although the lone zone price contributes to his excessive stroll price. His four-seam fastball has a flat form and is thrown with seven ft of extension, which led to first rate swing and miss numbers, although righties didn’t increase the zone continuously. It’s as much as 94 mph in Spring Coaching, and it’ll play effectively if he can find it on the prime of the zone.
In opposition to lefties, it’s an identical story. Each his changeup and his fastball created whiffs, however the four-seam didn’t get hitters to chase. He blended in a slider as effectively, though it was nearly by no means within the zone, so it didn’t assist together with his stroll concern. He confirmed a cutter and a slider final 12 months within the minors and in Spring Coaching, although he’s thrown 92% fastballs and changeups for Puerto Rico within the World Baseball Basic. He’s confronted nearly totally righties and achieved an excellent job holding his fastball up. He’s but to permit a run over three innings, putting out one and strolling two. He must be within the zone and restrict walks, however the strikeout potential is sufficient to give him the within monitor to the opening day roster.
Samaniego came to visit within the Johan Oviedo commerce and is a very intriguing arm. Cease me when you’ve heard this earlier than — he’s an enormous lefty with large extension. He has totally different approaches in opposition to both sides of the plate. Righties see a four-seam fastball with strong vertical motion from a low launch that ought to have the ability to miss bats with strong command. It’s paired with a changeup that may induce whiffs when he spots it on the arm facet. Lefties see sinkers with strong horizontal motion, and a slider that’s each out and in of the zone. His velocity and extension give him a strong flooring, though the secondary pitches should be honed in to achieve his potential. He walked 7% of hitters in 38 minor league innings final season, a stage of strike-throwing that can assist him get to the massive leagues.
Samaniego was late to get right into a spring coaching recreation, however he’ll be able to go for opening day. He’s on the 40-man roster, however he has choices remaining, so he’s not a lock for the opening day roster. He’s most likely subsequent in line behind Moran for the leverage lefty spot within the bullpen.
Gamboa is a non-roster invitee who throws from a straight over-the-top arm slot. He spent a part of 2025 within the KBO, the place he struck out 24.6% of hitters however walked 10.3%. He has a 94 mph four-seam and sinker, in addition to a tough slider and a steep curveball. He was shut down for just a few days with elbow soreness, nonetheless, and is on the skin trying in for the 26-man roster.
T.J. Sikkema is a soft-tossing lefty who labored as a starter for a current Spring Coaching recreation. The dearth of velocity limits his upside and makes it arduous to discover a spot for him because the matchup lefty, however he’s proven good command in camp. He’s noticed his sinker persistently on the arm facet, permitting him to get strikes and weak contact. He’s additionally thrown his cutter to righties on the glove facet usually, though the dearth of velocity makes it attainable for them to get round it. He’s unlikely to discover a spot moreover a depth possibility to supply innings, however his command in camp has been spectacular.
Jeremy Wu-Yelland was already reassigned to minor league camp, so he gained’t be on the energetic roster to begin the season. That doesn’t imply he gained’t seem in an enormous league recreation this 12 months, although.
Wu-Yelland is much like different Purple Sox pitchers in that he has a low launch that helps create a flat method angle on his four-seam fastball. He’s additionally very totally different resulting from the truth that he has lower than 5 ft of extension. He has a singular supply that enables him to cover the ball, though the cross-body type he employs typically results in inconsistency in command. His stroll price was 8.5% final season over 45 innings at Excessive-A and Double-A, so he seems to have a deal with on it, however strike-throwing was a problem earlier in his profession.
Whereas he’s but to achieve Triple-A, his means to punch hitters out has stood out within the low minors. Final season, his strikeout price was over 37%. His fastball has touched 97 mph, and he additionally has a tough cutter/slider that he’s makes use of as a main providing. His go-to breaking ball is a sweeper that he hasn’t fairly discovered a really feel for, but it surely contributed to that massive strikeout price by lacking bats. Wu-Yelland isn’t on the 40-man roster, so Samaniego might be in entrance of him, as is Moran, however he isn’t that far down the totem pole and has an opportunity to debut this season.
