Philadelphia Phillies 2021 player grades: Relievers
By Bryce Turner
How did the Philadelphia Phillies’ bullpen perform in 2021?
The 2020 Philadelphia Phillies bullpen had a reputation for being one of the worst in baseball. The team’s relievers ranked last in the majors in ERA (7.06) and WHIP (1.790), while recording the most blown saves (14, tied with the Los Angeles Angels) and highest opponent batting average (.315). 14 blown saves in 60 games (though not every game was a save opportunity) amount to 23%, which would be more than 37 blown saves in a full 162-game season.
With the bullpen being a point of emphasis entering 2021, did it improve? Here are grades for some individual relievers and the bullpen as a whole.
Philadelphia Phillies RHP Héctor Neris
Héctor Neris has had a love-hate relationship with the closer role during his career and 2021 was no different.
Once again, Neris started the season as the closer, where he continued his late-season momentum from 2020. He had a 1.90 ERA and nine saves in his first 25 appearances, through June 6. He had only two blown saves and the team went 17-8 when he was on the mound.
But once again, Neris started to struggle, giving up 16 runs (13 earned) in 7 2/3 innings, across his next nine appearances. He had four blown saves during that stretch and ultimately lost the closer role.
Neris looked much better during his next 30 games, recording a 1.19 ERA and nine holds, before giving up eight runs in his final 12 2/3 innings. His 74 games and 74 1/3 innings pitched were his most in a single season since 2017, leading all Phillies relievers this season, so perhaps fatigue was an issue down the stretch.
Overall, he had a 3.63 ERA and 1.170 WHIP. He pitched well during most of the year and proved to be one of the more reliable options in the Phillies bullpen.