As the Woes Continue, Is the Bullpen to Blame?
May 7, 2025 - Written by Jas Singh
Photo Credit : @Angels - X
It is evident to Angels fans universally that the challenges facing this baseball club are intensifying. Zac Holladay conducted a thorough analysis of the present condition of the Angels' rotation linked in our news pages. Nonetheless, while the difficulties persist, is the bullpen performance a significant factor? The organization has granted the younger relievers more freedom, but given the batters' lack of performance, will this bullpen consistently secure victories? Up until this point the answer has been no. On paper the potential is limitless, however the metrics point otherwise. The team has the current worst bullpen ERA in the American League and the 2nd worst in the majors. They have also given up the most home runs and second most earned runs. The stark reality is that this bullpen must improve considerably for this team to thrive.
Ryan Johnson
Now the 2024 draft pick out of Dallas Baptist was immediately thrust into action. Having a successful preseason showing against the juggernaut Dodgers, the Angels did what they do best and got Johnson to the bigs without a stint in the minors. This was obviously history making Johnson one of only 24 players since the draft’s inception in 1965 to completely skip out on the minors. The small school, 74th overall pick has done completely what was expected of him which is to consume innings and have rookie hiccups along the way. His MLB debut in the season opener against the White Sox was obviously a rough one as Johnson allowed five runs on four hits, including two home runs. Ryan Johnson has a massive frame at 6’6 and has shown extreme growth in just one month of work. In 10.1 innings of work, the DBU alum has posted only 2 earned runs, but has given up 13 hits. In limited innings, the rookie has also allowed 4 home runs. His progression through the season is vital, coming from a smaller program it will take time for him to adjust to major league bats, but if he limits damage the team surely has a go to guy coming out of the pen.
Win–Loss Record: 1–0
Earned Run Average (ERA): 5.14
Innings Pitched: 14.0
Strikeouts: 14
Walks: 4
Walks and Hits per Inning Pitched (WHIP): 1.64
Saves: 1
Ben Joyce
Continuing on to our next future superstar, Ben Joyce. Joyce obviously is a fan favorite having his bobblehead day just a couple days ago on May 2nd. The league and fans of baseball know of the booming fastball that we’ve seen reach up to 104 mph and sitting between 101-102 mph. But, what can Joyce bring to the table as major league bats will surely catch up to the fastball and be aware of it. During the spring, Joyce took it to himself to add something new to his arsenal. He worked intensely through all spring training with his sprinkler ball, a combination of a sinker and splitter. Its unique movement along with velocity is set to make hurdles for hitters with its sudden drop as it gets near the plate. Along with a 95 mph changeup that we have seen in spurts, Joyce could become one of the most decorated closers in the game. However, as many Angels are aware, Joyce’s injury concerns have continued into this season. Earlier in the season against a series win against the Rays, Joyce experienced a drop in his velocity and was consistently getting hit around an average Rays batting order. He has been on the 15-day IL since and has been diagnosed with right shoulder inflammation. Per MLB.com, “ Joyce has attempted to resume throwing but reported that his shoulder "didn't quite feel ready," leading him to halt his throwing program. His rehabilitation has primarily involved treatment and strengthening exercises, with plans to reevaluate his condition in the coming week”. There have been no setbacks in his recovery, but the team wants him to take it slow as we head into the dog days of June. Having Joyce back clearly should revamp this bullpen and when healthy the franchise clearly has the makings of a superstar.
Win–Loss Record: 1–0
Earned Run Average (ERA): 6.23
Innings Pitched: 4.1
Strikeouts: 1
Walks: 1
Walks plus Hits per Inning Pitched (WHIP): 1.38
Ryan Zeferjan
The Angels trade history isn’t great, but many can agree Perry Minasian had an absolute masterclass dumping an aging reliever in Luis Garcia, for several solid prospects that included Ryan Zeferjan. Zeferjahn up until this point has blown past his expectations especially in higher leverage situations. The righty has a tough fastball that has even touched 98 mph. The breakout candidate is sitting quite sturdy with a 4.22 ERA along with 20 strikeouts in 10.2 innings pitched. Watching him a couple times in the spring and during the season it is clear batters struggle to make solid contact against the former 2019 third round pick. His three pitch arsenal includes a sweeper, cutter, and a fastball which has held batters to .091 batting average as well as 31.6% whiff rate. His primary pitch the cutter has tons of movement giving batters fits all day and leading to tons of jams. The sweeper is his third pitch, however it clearly requires refinement, as it has yielded a .250 batting average against it. The Angels may possess a hidden gem in Zeferjahn and his fastball.
Win–Loss Record: 2–0
Earned Run Average (ERA): 4.22
Innings Pitched: 10.2
Strikeouts: 20
Walks: 3
Walks plus Hits per Inning Pitched (WHIP): 1.03
Brock Burke
The 2023 World Series champion has brought some great promise into this bullpen even amid early struggles. The WHIP and ERA suggest that overall Burke has had his struggles and gives up solid contact in certain outings. But, as of late Brock Burke has continued into an upwards trend posting a 2.57 ERA across 7 innings displaying tons of better command. The 28-year-old is placed in high-pressure circumstances and tasked with consuming a significant number of innings. The most notable aspect of the southpaw is the diversity of his pitching repertoire. His most successful and frequently utilized pitches are the four-seam fastball and the sinker. The fastball can reach up to 100 mph along with a nasty 88 mph changeup and slider duo. The fact of the matter remains that Burke is generating consistent amounts of swings and misses, but can he limit hard hit contact as well as overall pitch efficiency.
Win–Loss Record: 2–0
Earned Run Average (ERA): 5.25
Innings Pitched: 12.0
Strikeouts: 11
Walks plus Hits per Inning Pitched (WHIP): 1.58
Saves: 0
Garrett McDaniels
The D2 Mount Olive star and Rule 5 draft pick has had a rocky start to his 2025 campaign. The left-handed pitcher is experiencing significant difficulties with command, which has directly impacted his ERA and WHIP, now at 5.91 and 1.97, respectively. In 10.2 innings pitched, Garrett McDaniels has also allowed 8 walks suggesting that control and pitch efficiency remain the main concern. McDaniels is unique, similar to Tyler Anderson does not blow you away with a high velo fastball, but instead a diversity of crafty pitches. The most eye popping one remains the slider which is a potential go to pitch reaching up to 86 mph. His fastest ball is the sinker which sits at 93 mph and he also displays a curve, but rarely throws it. The potential is there, with the southpaw who is only 25 years old and will experience growing pains after shooting up right to the majors after a short stint with the Dodgers. The metrics suggest that McDaniels can induce a large amount of ground ball outs, but needs to work on his high hard contact rate. After a rough outing on May 1st against the Tigers, giving three runs on three hits, McDaniels was diagnosed with left biceps tendinitis placing him on the 15-day IL. The injury was likely the reason for the recent struggles and will hopefully allow McDaniels to regroup and come back.
Win–Loss Record: 0–0
Earned Run Average (ERA): 5.91
Innings Pitched: 10.2
Strikeouts: 6
Walks plus Hits per Inning Pitched (WHIP): 1.97
Reid Detmers
Reid Detmers is an interesting subject among Angels fans. The righty and former first round pick has the utmost potential. Watching him up close in last year’s spring training I saw the rave about the 25 year old out of Louisville. But, after struggles in the early portion of last year resulting in a trip back to Triple-A Salt Lake, Detmers just really has not been the same. He showed strides throughout the year and showed positives towards the end of the season after a return back to the bigs. The staff obviously went in a different direction with Detmers pushing him into a bullpen role following his fastball command and hard contact against him. Now a bullpen role can be beneficial especially with his curveball and slider duo that is valuable in shorter outings. Moving him to the bullpen was truly meant as an approach to boost confidence and allow him to reset. But unfortunately the struggles continue as Detmers has allowed nine earned runs in his last two outings. In his recent showing on May 1st against Detroit, he allowed four runs in the 8th inning alone. The fastball, capable of reaching 95 mph, has been difficult to manage due to persistent command concerns resulting in increased contact rates. The curveball and slider have consistently produced a substantial number of swings and misses. Detmers was discussed in trade talks last year and developed tons of interest as well. However, many including me were hopeful Perry would hang on to him and he in fact did. The sky's the limit for Detmers, as evidenced by his performance that culminated in a no-hitter against the Rays in 2022 when provided with effective command.
Win–Loss Record: 0–2
Earned Run Average (ERA): 8.16
Innings Pitched: 14.1
Strikeouts: 14
Walks plus Hits per Inning Pitched (WHIP): 1.74
Kenley Jansen
Now Kenley Jansen has had an up and down season up until this point. There are clear instances in the early portion of the season, where Jansen has shut down teams to lock in victories. On the year, he currently has 7 saves that puts him 12th in the majors and notched his 450th career save against the Rays. His most recent showing was a success against the Pirates at the Big A allowing the team to avoid the sweep. The problem lies upon limiting baserunners for the veteran right-hander. His cutter still remains dominant sitting at about 95 mph, however hitters continue to make solid contact against him putting him in tight situations to end games. A deeper look at the metrics shows that Jansen is giving up an average 96.4 mph exit velocity and a 48.3 % hard hit rate. The two-time NL Reliever of the Year will still give the Angels saves down the line and provide an amazing vet presence to the young arms. But, could definitely be used as a trade piece if the team were to remain outside the playoff race in a tight American League.
Win–Loss Record: 0–1
Saves: 7
Innings Pitched: 9.1
Earned Run Average (ERA): 5.79
Strikeouts: 9
Walks plus Hits per Inning Pitched (WHIP): 1.39
Héctor Neris
Now, the team has gone to free agency to compensate for the injuries to Joyce and McDaniels signing veteran Héctor Neris. Neris, who was in Triple- A Salt Lake, posted a couple successful outings before being called up. The longtime Phillies closer and a key bullpen piece for the Astros in 2023, can definitely shave some innings for the ballclub. Neris posted a 1.71 over 71 appearances in 2023, but is definitely growing outside his prime. The 35-year-old split time with the Cubs and Astros in 2024 posting a 3.89 ERA and 17 saves, but also had 5 blown saves. Not only did his strike out rate decrease to 23.6%, a career low, but his walk rate also reached a career high 14.4%. In the spring, Neris signed a minor league deal with the Braves and cracked the opening day roster. But the struggles persisted after he allowed five runs on five hits in just two appearances leading ultimately to his release. His effectiveness is not nearly what it was with the Phillies or Astros, but the team isn’t looking for him to be a premier closer at this stage in his career. The goal is clearly to eat some innings in tough spots for the ballclub and be a setup man for Joyce or Jansen.
The team has also called up José Fermin and Connor Brogdon to help with the thinning of the bullpen. Fermin is an intriguing prospect being only 23 years old and having a 1.13 ERA with 15 strikeouts over 8 innings in the minors. He has struggled in the major leagues in his first four appearances, giving up 5 earned across 3 innings of work with a WHIP of 3.00. The obvious answer suggests that he needs to get used to major league bats as well as work on limiting baserunners and focus on his control. Brodgon on the other hand is a recent addition following stints with the Phillies and Dodgers. This is a challenging call up as he also has issues with control and limiting people on the base pads. The organization must control his elevated walk rate moving forward; nevertheless, as a veteran, providing him opportunities in specific scenarios may enhance his confidence.
Overall, the bullpen is a factor in the recent woes. As fans we can rave as much as we want about some of the youngsters on paper, but the metrics show a different story. An overall, 7.02 ERA and a 1.73 WHIP are obvious signs of disaster. But, early struggles should be expected when dealing with young arms who are just settling into major league bats. Improvement will be seen as we head towards the late summer months, but if the struggles remain it is important this team targets arms this winter. Even if we sell, at the deadline the prospect return should be reliever heavy.
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