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MLB: Power Ranking the Top Ten Major League Bullpens

By Nicholas Ian Allen

Apr 21, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Wade Davis (17) celebrates with catcher Erik Kratz (19) after the game against the Minnesota Twins at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals won the game 6-5. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 21, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Wade Davis (17) celebrates with catcher Erik Kratz (19) after the game against the Minnesota Twins at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals won the game 6-5. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 10, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Jason Grilli (39) celebrates after a strikeout to end the game against the New York Mets in the ninth inning at Turner Field. The Braves defeated the Mets 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 10, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Jason Grilli (39) celebrates after a strikeout to end the game against the New York Mets in the ninth inning at Turner Field. The Braves defeated the Mets 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

NL East. Atlanta Braves. 10. player. 17. . 3rd

It’s crazy to think that the Atlanta Braves would have one of the top ten bullpens in the Major Leagues. After all, they traded Craig Kimbrel on the eve of Opening Day, and are relying on 38-year old Jason Grilli as their closer with Jim Johnson as the next best option.

The rest of the pen – lefty Luis Avilan and rookies Cody Martin, Brandon Cunniff and Sugar Ray Marimon aren’t exactly the Nasty Boys, either. To make matters worse, Atlanta hasn’t hd the benefit of Josh Outman or Shae Simmons (both currently on the 60-day DL), lost Arodys Vizcaino and Andrew McKirahan to 80-game PED-related suspensions and have already designated Juan Jaime for assignment.

Yet, here they are.

Through the first 13 games of the 2015 season, the Braves bullpen has a 2.98 ERA (tenth best in the Majors) in 48.1 innings. The group has held opponents to a .186 batting average (fourth best overall, second in the National League) with 46 strikeouts and 21 walks. The club’s seven saves are second only to the eight the New York Mets have to this point.

While it’s unlikely the Atlanta bullpen will be able to keep up with this high level of early season production, it’s a good sign for the rebuilding Braves.

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