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Final grades: Nationals relievers
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Mike Hinckley (AP photo/Balce Ceneta)
Whereas the statistics for the Nationals' starting pitchers were somewhat deceiving in regards to the rotation's effectiveness, the stats are a great picture of what the bullpen managed this year. The relief corps was by no means spectacular, but it did some things extremely well and was very solid down the stretch when some young players were called up.
The Nats ranked just 19th in the league in bullpen ERA (4.16) and WHIP (1.40), numbers that are echoed in their 28 saves that ranked 29th in baseball. But the team also ranked fourth in the majors in bullpen innings pitched and sixth in strikeouts. The inability of the starting rotation to work deeper into games forced the bullpen to work extra hard to keep games close. Much like the starting rotation, the bullpen was hindered by a lack of run support that kept relievers walking a tightrope all year. The bullpen's 7.37 strikeouts per nine innings was pedestrian, but the unit ranked a respectable 11th in the league in batting average against (.249).
More important than the overall team statistics, however, were some of the individual performances on the year. Three young players in particular - Mike Hinckley, Garrett Mock and Joel Hanrahan - stood out in the crowd. Mock, who struggled mightily as a starter this season, was stellar as a reliever: a 2.42 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 29 strikeouts in 26 innings pitched. Mock has been through a number of different roles in the Nats' organization over the last few years, but he may have found a role as a setup man.
Hinckley was possibly the feel-good story of the Nationals' year. After flaming out as the team's top prospect three years ago, Hinckley has resurrected his career and has a good chance to be the Nats' top middle reliever next season. He allowed no runs in 13.2 innings pitched and posted a 0.80 WHIP.
Hanrahan's emergence is probably one of the biggest storylines for the Nats going into next year. With a 3.95 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 93 strikeouts in 84.1 innings and nine saves, Hanrahan showed the team he can be a legitimate closer in the majors. With that in mind the team chose to cut ties with Chad Cordero, the man they paid $6.2 million last offseason to close only to watch him hurt his arm after six appearances. In Hanrahan, the Nats at least have their closer role sewn up for next year.
The bullpen certainly saw its share of poor performers this year (take a bow, Luis Ayala). And in this case, the stats really do speak for themselves. But finding three quality relief arms the team can rely on in the future makes the bullpen the most successful part of the Nationals' 2008 season.
Final grade: B-
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