Philadelphia Phillies 2021 player grades: Relievers
By Bryce Turner
Philadelphia Phillies RHP Archie Bradley
Archie Bradley signed a one-year deal with the Phillies, following a season where he had a 2.95 ERA in 16 games, including a 1.17 ERA after being traded to the Cincinnati Reds at the August 31 deadline.
Bradley’s biggest challenge this year was his lack of consistency. He gave up seven runs (five earned) in his first 6 2/3 innings, which did include more than a month on the injured list. He then allowed just one run in his first eight games of June, before giving up a run each in his next three appearances.
He had a strong stretch of 17 games between June 30 and August 12, allowing only one earned run in 18 2/3 innings, before giving up six runs in his next 5 1/3 innings. He ended the year by giving up five runs in 10 innings. Despite the streakiness, he still had decent numbers overall, with a 7-3 record, two saves, three blown saves, 13 holds, a 3.71 ERA, and 1.431 WHIP.
Archie Bradley’s 2021 grade: C+
Philadelphia Phillies RHP Sam Coonrod
The Phillies acquired Sam Coonrod in a trade with the San Francisco Giants during the off-season, following a year where Coonrod missed some time with injuries but gave up 16 runs in 14 2/3 innings.
Coonrod got off to a hot start in 2021, giving up just four runs, off of 17 hits and three walks, in his first 21 innings. But things took a turn against the Miami Marlins on May 26, when he gave up three runs in an inning. Including that game, he gave up 11 runs (nine earned), off of nine hits and seven walks, in seven innings, before landing on the injured list.
The right-hander missed more than two months with a forearm injury, before returning in late August and giving up six runs in his final 14 1/3 innings. Overall, he had a 4.04 ERA, 1.323 WHIP, two saves, four blown saves, and eight holds this season. He showed promise early before fading, though his injury could’ve been a significant reason why.
Sam Coonrod’s 2021 grade: C
Philadelphia Phillies RHP Ian Kennedy
The Phillies acquired veteran reliever Ian Kennedy, along with starter Kyle Gibson and minor-leaguer Hans Crouse, in a deadline trade with the Texas Rangers, where they sent Spencer Howard and a pair of prospects to Texas.
Kennedy had a 2.51 ERA, 1.052 WHIP, and 16 saves in 32 games with the Rangers, compared to a 4.13 ERA, 1.167 WHIP, and 10 saves in 23 games with the Phillies. The numbers are similar, with the main difference being ERA, mostly due to early struggles.
Kennedy gave up five runs in his first 3 1/3 innings with the Phillies, before allowing just seven runs (six earned) in his final 20 2/3 innings of the season. He gave up an earned run or more in six of his games while recording at least one strikeout in 17 appearances. He pitched less than an inning in just three games.
While it took a bit of time, Kennedy looked good as a closer for the Phillies down the stretch. He gave up just one earned run, while recording two wins and four saves, in his last nine games and was a solid option out of the bullpen overall.