GOODYEAR, Arizona – Consider the depth in the Cincinnati Reds bullpen in Game 1 of the playoffs last season as they allowed just six hits and one run in 4 2/3 innings.
Closer Raisel Iglesias – who had a 0.68 ERA last September – was followed by relief pitcher Lucas Sims, who had the sixth best ERA last year among relievers that threw at least 25 innings.
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Sims was followed by Michael Lorenzen, who had a 1.91 ERA down the stretch last season. Then came trade deadline acquisition Archie Bradley and Amir Garrett, who has been one of the 10 best left-handed relief pitchers in MLB over the last two seasons.
After the Reds traded Iglesias, non-tendered Bradley and told Lorenzen to prepare to be a starting pitcher, none of the remaining relief pitchers will have the same role in 2021. But manager David Bell said the bullpen can still be a strength this season.
“Keeping our eyes open is going to be really important to identify which guys are going to step up,” Bell said. “ We have some really good arms and big strong bodies from guys who are throwing hard and have the ability to help us. We just have to keep our eyes open. I do think some guys are going to surprise us in Spring Training and step in and be a part of our bullpen.”
Last year, Garrett was a one-inning specialist in high-leverage situations and Sims often threw multiple innings late in games. This season, they’re competing to replace Iglesias, who had been the Reds closer since 2016.
Tejay Antone spent most of his rookie year in 2020 as a starting pitcher and is preparing to start this season, but said he’d be willing to fill Sims’ role as a multi-inning reliever late in close games.
Cincinnati’s other relief options are unproven at the MLB level or were acquired in free agency. But the Reds believe they can get the best out of additions like Noé Ramirez, Jeff Hoffman, Sean Doolittle and Cam Bedrosian.
“We see guys all the time that are struggling with their stuff and all of a sudden they come over here and (pitching coach Derek Johnson) gets a hold of them and they’re like a different pitcher,” Lorenzen said. “It’s a lot of the time the philosophy that (Johnson) preaches. Just the guys going out there and believing they will succeed and have good enough stuff. And that plays a huge role in what he says. Being great at what you’re good at, that’s a major, major, major difference from what anyone else teaches.”
The other candidates to open the season in the bullpen include young players like José De León and Sal Romano. Lorenzen said he’s confident Johnson can bring the best out of the next generation of Reds relief pitchers like Johnson did with Garrett, Iglesias and Lorenzen.
“We don’t need any big names or anything like that, (Johnson) is going to get the best out of them,” Lorenzen said “They have this master plan where they can piece together any pitchers and they’re going to be just fine. With the bullpen situation, we’re going to be just fine. There’s no worry in my mind.”
Reds platoon plan
Last season, Bell consistently adjusted the starting lineup to feature right-handed hitters against left-handed pitchers and left-handed hitters against right-handed pitchers.
Heading into 2021, Bell said he’s preparing left-handed hitters like Shogo Akiyama, Jesse Winker and Tucker Barnhart to face left-handed pitchers more consistently.
“In Spring Training, we’ll make that a point of emphasis to try to get (them) opportunities to face left-handed pitching as much as we can whether it’s on the backfield or in the game,” Bell said. “It’s important for their process to get those at-bats. Not only does it make you better against left-handed pitching, but it can get you into good habits against the right-handed pitching as well. It’ll help us decide going into the season what that breakdown is going to look like.”
Reds honor Joe Morgan
The Reds announced on Monday that they will honor Hall of Fame second baseman Joe Morgan with a No. 8 patch on the sleeve of their jerseys this season.
Morgan, who died in October, was an eight-time All Star in eight seasons with the Reds and won consecutive NL MVP awards in 1975 and 1976.
“It shows he’s a major part of the organization and the game,” Bell said. “ A big contributor in so many ways throughout his lifetime. It’s a real honor to be able to wear a patch. It’s going to mean a lot to me and to everyone on our team.”
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