The Purple Sox bullpen took an enormous step ahead in 2025, posting a 3.41 ERA that ranked second in MLB behind solely the San Diego Padres.
However how did every reliever fare individually? Right now we conclude our report card collection by handing out grades for the relievers.
Aroldis Chapman: A+
Even at age 37 Chapman remained among the many hardest throwers in baseball, hitting 103 mph on the radar gun whereas routinely overpowering opposing hitters. However whereas that was spectacular sufficient, what actually stood out about Chapman’s stellar season was his command. The veteran nearer’s 6.6% stroll price this season was practically half his profession common (12.2%) and an enormous enchancment over the 14.7% price he posted in 2024. That mixture made Chapman a nightmare for opposing hitters and allowed him to put up some of the dominant seasons by a reliever in Purple Sox historical past.
Garrett Whitlock: A+
When Whitlock first got here up in 2021, he instantly made his mark as a rookie, posting spectacular numbers whereas rating as arguably an important member of that yr’s bullpen. Whitlock has struggled to remain wholesome since then attempting to work as a starter and missed most of final yr resulting from elbow surgical procedure, however this yr he returned to his roots and re-established himself as one of many workforce’s premier relievers. Whitlock posted a 2.25 ERA with 91 strikeouts in 72 innings of aid, and his 24 holds led the workforce and tied for sixth within the AL. He and Chapman mixed to kind one in every of baseball’s most formidable one-two punches and ensured that if the Purple Sox went into the late innings with a lead, there’s a superb wager they had been going to win.
Justin Slaten: C-
When wholesome Slaten has proven he generally is a improbable high-leverage reliever, however this season the Purple Sox solely noticed him at his finest for small bursts. The correct-hander posted a 4.24 ERA over 36 appearances, however he additionally missed three months resulting from an uncommon nerve damage. Slaten additionally noticed his strikeout numbers plummet, posting an 18.2% strikeout price after sustaining a 25.9% price as a rookie, and his command additionally regressed, together with his stroll price rising from 4% to 7.3%. These are regarding indicators, however Slaten ought to nonetheless stay a key piece of the bullpen puzzle main into subsequent yr.
Justin Wilson: A-
Wilson was Boston’s first offseason acquisition final winter and exceeded expectations, posting a 3.35 ERA with 57 strikeouts in 48.1 innings. Wilson was primarily used as a lefty-on-lefty weapon however nonetheless ranked fourth on the workforce in appearances (61). He additionally carried out properly in excessive leverage conditions, holding opposing batters to a .233 common and .673 OPS in such conditions.
Greg Weissert: B
Weissert was a workhorse who led all Purple Sox relievers in appearances (72) and usually acquired the job accomplished, however his season additionally included a handful of high-profile blowups. Followers have a tendency to recollect issues like giving up the lead after Payton Tolle’s stellar MLB debut, however Weissert additionally tallied 17 holds, 57 scoreless outings and posted a 2.82 ERA. Is there room for enchancment? Certain, however Weissert’s season was a hit total.
Steven Matz: B+
Matz was Boston’s most profitable commerce deadline acquisition and offered an extra high-leverage arm for the late innings. The left-hander had a 2.08 ERA in 21 appearances following his arrival and solely walked two batters in 21.2 innings. He additionally posted two scoreless appearances within the playoffs, conserving the Purple Sox inside putting distance of their eventual losses in Video games 2 and three.
Brennan Bernardino: B
Bernardino labored an enormous workload within the first half, which finally caught as much as him and led to a three-week stint in Triple-A. However when rested Bernardino was extremely efficient, posting a 1.52 ERA over the primary two months and ending with a decent 3.14 ERA in 55 outings on the season. His .205 opposing batting common and .569 OPS had been additionally each the most effective marks of his profession.
Zack Kelly: C+
Consistency has at all times been key for Kelly, who boasts overpowering stuff however who has struggled to place all of it collectively for prolonged intervals. This season was no exception, as Kelly spent the vast majority of the season in Triple-A and endured some tough stretches throughout his first two huge league stints early on. However following his promotion in September Kelly got here up huge, posting a 2.84 ERA in his final 12 outings, together with a pair of large scoreless performances in Boston’s extra-innings win in opposition to the Athletics on Sept. 17 and its playoff-clinching victory over the Tigers.
Chris Murphy: B-
Murphy returned from Tommy John surgical procedure and gave the bullpen an enormous elevate midseason, however when he was off issues acquired ugly in a rush. In his three outings that may very well be labeled as full-on nuclear meltdowns, Murphy allowed 9 runs in 3.1 innings. In his different 20 outings mixed Murphy allowed simply three runs in 31.1 innings, good for an 0.86 ERA.
Jordan Hicks: F
Hicks is among the hardest throwers in baseball however may by no means put it collectively following his arrival within the Rafael Devers commerce. The previous nearer posted an 8.20 ERA in 18.2 innings with the Purple Sox, permitting 17 earned runs, 25 hits and 12 walks in opposition to 15 strikeouts. His -1.8 wins above alternative was the worst in MLB amongst all pitchers in 2025 and he was shut down with proper shoulder tendinitis. Hicks stays underneath contract and is because of earn $12 million in every of the subsequent two seasons, so the Purple Sox will seemingly attempt to get Hicks again on monitor subsequent yr.
Liam Hendriks: F
After coming into the season as one of many membership’s prime candidates to function nearer, Hendriks couldn’t keep wholesome and wasn’t significantly efficient when he took the mound. The 36-year-old made his long-awaited return from Tommy John surgical procedure on April 20 however over the subsequent month posted a 6.59 ERA in 13.2 innings. He went on the IL once more with a proper hip damage on Might 27 and by no means returned, present process one other elbow process following the season.
