Phillies 2016 Grades: Bullpen

By Matt Veasey | Sep 29, 2016

Aug 19, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Hector Neris (50) prior to action against the St. Louis Cardinals at Citizens Bank Park. The St. Louis Cardinals won 4-3 in the eleventh inning. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

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HECTOR NERIS

The 27-year old Dominican right-hander has delivered a fine overall season for the Phillies, becoming one of two consistently reliable arms out of this year’s bullpen.

Neris has appeared in 77 games, fourth in all of Major League Baseball to this point. He has allowed just 55 hits in 78.1 innings with a strong 100/29 K:BB ratio with a 2.53 ERA, 1.072 WHIP, and an outstanding 164 ERA+ mark.

Neris clearly looks for all the world like the future Phillies closer to this pair of eyes. He has the numbers and the repetoire, and now with a full MLB season (his 3rd season overall) in the books, he appears ready for that shot.

As the Phillies build their bullpen in the off-season, starting with the idea that Neris is the closer and preparing him mentally for that role is a good place for the team to start.

GRADE: A

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