When a workforce’s largest weak spot is the final reliever out of the bullpen, it’s normally an indication of a fairly good workforce. More often than not, in the event you’re utilizing the again of your bullpen, you’re both up or down by a major margin. The Purple Sox have been nice at discovering occasions to make use of the again of the bullpen, however these pitchers haven’t held up their finish of the cut price.
Jorge Alcala, Chris Murphy, and now Isaiah Campbell have all struggled late in video games, forcing Garrett Whitlock and Aroldis Chapman to make appearances they in any other case shouldn’t have. Most lately, Isaiah Campbell’s late-game blow-up introduced Chapman into the sport, inflicting the nearer to be unavailable the following day. The Marlins scored three runs within the ninth, and the Purple Sox misplaced the sport.
Happily, it’s straightforward to discover a new mop-up man. Let’s check out some potential choices.
Payton Tolle/David Sandlin
There’s been some hypothesis in regards to the Purple Sox selling a prospect to assist down the stretch. David Sandlin and Payton Tolle have been lately promoted to Triple-A Worcester. Sandlin has been pitching out of the bullpen, whereas Tolle has continued to pitch as a starter. I gained’t fake to be an skilled on both, however Tolle certainly has the fastball characteristics to get by, whereas Sandlin additionally has premium velocity.
The professional of utilizing a prospect is an early take a look at how they’ll look in a significant league setting. Additionally they may be capable to pitch their approach into extra high-leverage alternatives. The draw back is that their innings can be unpredictable, which most likely isn’t splendid by way of growth.
Picture by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Photos
Zack Kelly gained’t be a well-liked possibility as a result of he hasn’t carried out properly on the main league degree for fairly a while. Since coming back from harm, nonetheless, he has a 1.54 ERA for Worcester in eight video games, together with a number of multi-inning outings. His changeup has been glorious in Worcester, a major growth as a result of the pitch was as soon as a stable weapon for him, however was hit arduous this season. His fastball form can also be barely altered, that includes extra vertical motion and fewer horizontal. There’s a saying about what number of occasions you possibly can idiot an individual, which could apply to Kelly, however he can’t be a lot worse than what they’ve.
Connor Brogdon has an ERA north of 5 and was designated for project by the Los Angeles Angels, however bear with me for a second. In 2021 and 2022, Brogdon was legitimately good for the Philadelphia Phillies. He was okay in 2023 as properly, however was DFA’d after a tough begin to 2024. This season hasn’t gone nice for Brogdon, however he’s pitching for the Angels, who don’t precisely have the most effective monitor report of pitching growth.
The repair for Brogdon appears pretty simple to me. He’s been nice in opposition to lefties, primarily utilizing a changeup and fastball, in addition to a cutter to steal strikes. The changeup is absolutely good; it has a 105 Stuff+ and a 15.1% swinging strike price in opposition to lefties. The fastball is stable as properly at 95 mph with over seven toes of extension. He isn’t putting lefties out at a excessive price, however the outcomes total have been stable.
Towards righties, he hasn’t been as profitable. The changeup and four-seam every carry out properly, though the fastball does have some regarding contact high quality stats. The problem is the cutter. He makes use of it about 20% of the time in opposition to righties, largely early in counts. The factor will get crushed. Righties are hitting .357 in opposition to it with a tough hit price of fifty%. My recommendation to Brogdon can be to cease throwing it. He’s at all times thrown it, nevertheless it’s getting much less vertical motion than ever and doesn’t miss barrels. Saying “don’t throw cutters” isn’t a magic repair, nevertheless it’s a low strike pitch for a pitcher who has had points with walks. It’s price a shot.
Brogdon is out of choices, so he’ll want a spot on the 40-man if he’s claimed off waivers. Isaiah Campbell’s spot is a straightforward one to carve out, although.
One other pitcher lately designated for project, and a possible innings-eater, is Paul Blackburn. Blackburn has spent a lot of the season on the injured listing and has solely pitched 23 2/3 innings in 2025. His ERA, like Brogdon’s, is over 5, although his FIP is far decrease at 4.38. His most up-to-date outing was a five-inning, two-run efficiency in reduction for the Mets. He’s not “good,” and he’s additionally not “dependable,” however he throws a bunch of pitches, doesn’t stroll hitters, and might pitch a number of innings. For the final man out of the bullpen, you can definitely do quite a bit worse. Keep in mind, we’re not in search of somebody to shut recreation seven of the World Collection, simply throw an inning or three in a blowout.
