Grading the NY Mets first half bullpen performances

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The New York Mets bullpen exceeded some fans' expectations in the first half of the 2022 season. Some of their successes are a big reason why the Mets won so many games in the first half, and they need to be acknowledged. Overall, the bullpen pitched to a 3.46 ERA (9th among the 30 teams), a 1.20 WHIP (10th), 10.27 strikeouts per nine innings (tied for 1st) and 3.35 walks per nine (10th). So they have been above average in all areas.

For this exercise, we will evaluate all the Mets pitchers who pitched 15 or more innings of relief in the first half. With the Mets' bullpen some relievers did very well. Others didn't fare so well.

Edwin Diaz - 2022 Mets reliever first half grade

Edwin Diaz is putting together one of the greatest seasons a Mets reliever has ever had. He was named to the All-Star team for the first time as a Met this season, and has completely overwhelmed his opposition. He has 18.1 strikeouts per nine innings, including 51.7 percent of opposing hitters. Factor that in with a 1.18 FIP (-0.64 since May 25) and a 1.69 ERA. The Mets were the only team in the majors that didn’t lose a game when leading after eight innings in the first half (50-0), and Diaz is the biggest reason why. He has simply been the best reliever in baseball, bar none.

Grade: A+

Drew Smith - 2022 Mets reliever first half grade

The opposition has hit Drew Smith hard over the past three weeks, but Smith played a role in effectively bridging games to Edwin Diaz this season as a setup man. Smith went 13.1 innings to start 2022 before conceding his first earned run, and played a role in the Mets winning many tight contests in the first half. In a team high 40.0 relief innings in the first half, he pitched to a 3.38 ERA, has 10.5 strikeouts and 3.2 walks per nine innings, but a 4.48 FIP (the defense bailed him out on so many occasions in the first half).

GRADE: B

Adam Ottavino - 2022 Mets reliever first half grade

Lost in the shuffle of all the post-lockout free agent frenzy was the Mets signing Adam Ottavino to fill in a hole in the bullpen. Ottavino was a splendid asset in the first half, especially since the beginning of May. After a shaky first few weeks, he has dominated as a co-setup man. He has been one of the most effective relief pitchers. He had a 2.52 ERA in 35.2 innings pitched in the first half, and has allowed just three earned runs over his past 26.0 innings pitched dating back to May 8. He has reverted to his dominant self, and has proven to be a great offseason addition by Billy Eppler.

Grade: A-

Seth Lugo - 2022 Mets reliever first half grade

Lugo sported a 3.82 ERA in 35.1 innings pitched in the first half. The soon-to-be free-agent has kept Mets fans on their toes for much of the season when he has been on the mound. Seth Lugo has generated few clean outings this season, and he is not as effective as he once was as a reliever. With that in mind, we’ve learned that he is better when he throws multiple innings in a relief outing and when he gets more rest. Let’s remember he was once a starting pitcher, and has traits of a starting pitcher in his profile.

Grade: B-

Joely Rodriguez - 2022 Mets reliever first half grade

Joely Rodriguez came over in a trade with the Yankees that sent Miguel Castro to the Bronx, and he brought over a mixed bag of results. He has the lowest exit velocity allowed in the majors and the seventh lowest hard-hit rate among big league relievers. His stuff doesn’t induce hard contact. However, Rodriguez has been wild, and the 5.67 walks per nine innings speaks for that. Among the 19 walks he issued, eight of them scored. His 4.67 ERA over 27 innings would have been lower without the walks.

Grade: C+

Chasen Shreve - 2022 Mets reliever first half grade

Remember when Chase Shreve got off to such a great start and was considered a huge boon to the Mets bullpen? Well, his season reared in the wrong direction in mid-May, and it continued to worsen. He had a 6.49 ERA in 26.1 innings this season with the Mets (10.43 since May 14) before getting designated for assignment on July 5. His strong start to the season is why he didn't get an F.

Grade: D-

Trevor Williams - 2022 Mets reliever first half grade

Trevor Williams has 21.0 innings of relief in the bag in the first half, so we will grade him too. His overall stats fit in as an average pitcher. However, as a reliever, he’s been great, coming into long relief situations when called upon. In 9 outings, he had a 1.71 ERA and a 2.30 FIP with 27 strikeouts and eight walks. He even notched his first big league save using the three-inning rule last week, which is a fitting reward to what he has meant to this team with their injuries.

Grade: A

Adonis Medina - 2022 Mets reliever first half grade

The Mets acquired Medina from the Phillies in April and has proven to be a wonderful addition to the Mets bullpen this season. He may be in the minors now, but he did a yeoman's work in saving the Mets bullpen in long relief. We also need to remember his outing on June 5 where he came into the game in the 10th inning on the road against the mighty Dodgers, and shut them down for a save. He also kept the Mets in two games that they eventually won on ninth inning comebacks. He had a 3.00 ERA in 21.0 innings going into the break.

Grade: B+

Colin Holderman - 2022 Mets reliever first half grade

Colin Holderman made his major league debut on May 15 and he was the most pleasant surprise on the Mets roster this season. He posted a 2.04 ERA and a 2.26 in 17.2 innings in the first half and expanded Buck Showalter’s circle of trusted relievers. The Mets needed someone to step up and pitch in a variety of different situations this season, and Holderman, a former ninth round pick who had Tommy John surgery four years ago, has risen to each task and has been excellent. You should bet that he will be used in high leverage situations in the second half.

Grade: A

Next. Here is a dream Mets starting lineup after the trade deadline. dark

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