Interesting Stats about our Pitching...

[CharlotteBrave]

Did you know that our RPs are ranked 18th (out of 30) teams in the Bigs when it comes to total IP? Our relievers have pitched a total of 295 IP.

[Agent-X-]

Doesn't Moylan lead the league in IP as a reliever? I know he's leading in appearances.

[CharlotteBrave]

Ugh, I actually had a pretty long thread written out that got erased. Basically highlighting our rankings in each stat for not only pitching, but batting as well.

Anyways; I was surprised to see our RPs total IP so low.

[MSbravefan]

that makes it even more absurd that Bobby is overusing Gonzo, Soriano and Moylan. If our bullpen was pitching a lot of innings, it would make a bit more sense, but to be 18th out of 30th in innings pitched and have 3 guys in the top 10 in appearances is not good

[KB 34]

The Braves bullpen consists of those 3 and OF. The rest keep the seats in the outfield warm. Moyan will probably join the dugout and DL next season though with all the games he's pitching this season.

[Wahoo]

that makes it even more absurd that Bobby is overusing Gonzo, Soriano and Moylan. If our bullpen was pitching a lot of innings, it would make a bit more sense, but to be 18th out of 30th in innings pitched and have 3 guys in the top 10 in appearances is not good

Agreed. For a manager, Bobby lacks some pretty fundamental game and roster management skills.

[Chris_Moderato]

Who cares how many appearances they have if they aren't pitching that many innings? How do they rank as far as batters faced? If they are way up there in appearances and batters faced, I'll worry. If they're in there a lot but not facing many guys, it doesn't matter how many appearances they are making. Appearances is a tricky statistic.

[Wahoo]

Who cares how many appearances they have if they aren't pitching that many innings? How do they rank as far as batters faced? If they are way up there in appearances and batters faced, I'll worry. If they're in there a lot but not facing many guys, it doesn't matter how many appearances they are making. Appearances is a tricky statistic.

Ok, well let's look at this way: Rafael Soriano (47 IP), Mike Gonzalez (46.1 innings pitched), and Peter Moylan (44.1) have logged just under half of our innings pitched. However, you have to look at this way...how many innings could Bobby have saved? Also, an appearance is more than just the work done in the game, there's the warm up tosses in the pen and on the mound prior to entering the game, so in all likely hood, even if they only face one batter, they are probably throwing at least 25 live pitches. And then you have to factor in those times when they may warm, and never pitch (which in Bobby's case is admittedly rare).

[Chris_Moderato]

Braves Relievers Rankings

Appearances
Peter Moylan #1 (tie), 56
Eric O'Flaherty #5 (tie), 51
Mike Gonzalez #5 (tie), 51
Rafael Soriano #16 (tie), 46

Innings Pitched
Peter Moylan #26, 44.0
Eric O'Flaherty #62, 34 1/3
Mike Gonzalez #19 (tie), 46 1/3
Rafael Soriano #16 (tie), 47.0

[KB 34]

Who cares how many appearances they have if they aren't pitching that many innings? How do they rank as far as batters faced? If they are way up there in appearances and batters faced, I'll worry. If they're in there a lot but not facing many guys, it doesn't matter how many appearances they are making. Appearances is a tricky statistic.
If a pitcher is pitching in a lot of games that means they're going to be warming up a ton and having to be ready to pitch to a lot of hitters in an inning. I don't understand warming up well but I do know pitchers don't exactly lob the ball in the bullpen. I suspect the extra wear and tear from preparing and throwing even to one batter isn't too good. Pitchers also have their bullpen sessions and such where they throw different amounts at least partially based on how likely they are to pitch that night. It's probably not as important as innings but if either is really high I'm a bit concerned.

[Chris_Moderato]

Ok, well let's look at this way: Rafael Soriano (47 IP), Mike Gonzalez (46.1 innings pitched), and Peter Moylan (44.1) have logged just under half of our innings pitched. However, you have to look at this way...how many innings could Bobby have saved? Also, an appearance is more than just the work done in the game, there's the warm up tosses in the pen and on the mound prior to entering the game, so in all likely hood, even if they only face one batter, they are probably throwing at least 25 live pitches. And then you have to factor in those times when they may warm, and never pitch (which in Bobby's case is admittedly rare).

Is there a manager out there that doesn't "mis-manage" their bullpen?

Anyone can answer, I'm just curious. I never hear about anyone who uses their 'pen effectively.

[KB 34]

I thought BC did a really nice job with the bullpen in 2002. It was a really good and really predictable bullpen. If the Braves were leading going into the 7th it was going to be Hammonds-Remlinger-Smoltz. When the Braves were losing miserably Albie Lopez would come in to eat innings and suck. Gryboski was the ground ball guy, and the rest of the bullpen pitched the other situations. 2003 was decent once Roberto Hernansdez was sent to pitch the 8th or 9th in blowouts roles. Once again, very predictable with pretty defined roles. Things just fell apart when Reitsma became the closer and the pitch until they drop mode became more heavily used than before.

[wordslayer©]

I thought BC did a really nice job with the bullpen in 2002. It was a really good and really predictable bullpen. If the Braves were leading going into the 7th it was going to be Hammonds-Remlinger-Smoltz. When the Braves were losing miserably Albie Lopez would come in to eat innings and suck. Gryboski was the ground ball guy, and the rest of the bullpen pitched the other situations. 2003 was decent once Roberto Hernansdez was sent to pitch the 8th or 9th in blowouts roles. Once again, very predictable with pretty defined roles. Things just fell apart when Reitsma became the closer and the pitch until they drop mode became more heavily used than before.

2002, I believe, was one of the best bullpens in baseball history. Cox may have done a good job managing it, but the pen was incredibly deep.

[hoosjon]

I was gonna say the same thing, except I don't know if it was one of the best in history. I know it sure was the best Braves bullpen that I can remember.

[Rynliquid]

If you're wondering why it's a bit difficult to factually distinguish BC's "mismanagement" of the bullpen compared to other MLB coaches, it's because he DOESN'T mismanage his bullpen.