Phillies

Phillies Will Take Bullpen Gamble With One Left-Hander

By Bob Wankel

Published: Mar 28th, 2021 · 5:34 PM EDT

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The Phillies and Yankees played (again), but the real story to emerge from Clearwater on Sunday is that the team optioned Scott Kingery and JoJo Romero to minor league camp.

At different points throughout the spring, both players seemed like locks to make the team’s Opening Day roster.

Kingery, who was part of the still unresolved center field competition, struggled to produce results while in the midst of making several swing adjustments. He hit just .159 with a 19 strikeouts in 48 plate appearances this spring.

Last week, I wrote about why Kingery starting the season at the alternate site might be the best thing for both the team and player.

As for Romero, the news was a bit more stunning given the Phillies recently informed veteran left-handed reliever Tony Watson that he would not make the team. That move seemed to pave the way for Romero, who posted a 1.04 ERA with eight strikeouts in 8 2/3 innings this spring, to become the team’s second left-handed option out of the bullpen.

Not so.

During Sunday’s television broadcast, manager Joe Girardi cited both Romero’s pitch efficiency and ability to consistently get ahead in counts as areas in need of improvement. He reiterated that same sentiment following his team’s 6-2 win over the Yankees.

“I think JoJo has a chance to be an elite reliever, but I think he has to be more economical. I think he has to get ahead some more,” Girardi said. “I think he’s got really, really good stuff. He’s got three swing-and-miss pitches, but I think there’s still a little bit more he can do with his command to put him in better positions to be successful.”

Romero allowed four walks over his eight spring training appearances.

The decision to option Romero leaves the Phillies with just one left-hander, José Alvarado, on the team’s Opening Day roster.

Beyond him, the team will gamble on its right-handed relievers to nail down key outs against left-handed hitters late in games.

“I think [Connor] Brogdon is capable of doing that. I think Archie Bradley is capable of doing that. I think Hector Neris is capable of doing that, so for right now, we just decided to go with the one lefty,” Girardi said.

Although a bit surprising, it’s not a gamble without statistical merit.

In a limited sample last season, Brogdon held left-handed hitters to a .133 batting average and .521 OPS.

In 51 games split between Clearwater, Reading, and Lehigh Valley during the 2019 season, Brogdon held left-handed hitters to just a .140 BA and .447 OPS. Those numbers were actually better than the .197 BA and .672 OPS he allowed to righties that season.

Brandon Kintzler has also posted better career numbers against left-handed hitters (.233 BA, .657 OPS) than those who dig in from the right side (.279 BA, .726 OPS).

Neris (.705 OPS allowed) and Bradley (.730 OPS allowed) have both been serviceable against lefties.

The Phillies should know quickly if this bullpen formula can work.

With 13 critical division games to begin the season against the Braves and Mets, two teams that feature a number of good hitters from the left side, the bullpen’s ability to secure high-leverage outs against those guys will be a major key to success.