Inside MLB’s Most Dominant Bullpen: Guardians Stellar 2024 Season

Bombastic Bullpen Numbers

The above chart just reinforces how good the core of this Cleveland bullpen has been all year.

Emmanuel Clase: Dominating with the Cutter

Cleveland's closer has taken his game to the next level this season by heavily relying on his 100-mph cutter. In previous years, Clase's cutter usage ranged between 60% and 69.2%, with his slider being used 29.8% to 38.1% of the time. However, in 2024, Clase has increased his cutter usage to 81.8%, while his slider usage has dropped to 18.3%. This approach, reminiscent of Mariano Rivera's "here it is, try and hit it" philosophy, has made it difficult for batters to make hard contact. While his cutter isn't generating high whiff or strikeout rates, Clase's command of the pitch limits the damage effectively.

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Hunter Gaddis: Simplifying and Excelling

In his third major league season, Hunter Gaddis has found success by simplifying his pitch arsenal. Initially mixing five pitches, Gaddis has reduced his repertoire to primarily his slider and fastball. This year, his slider usage has jumped to 43.7%, up from a previous high of 31.7%. The slider has yielded great results, holding batters to a .183 average and a .267 slugging percentage while generating a 35.2% whiff rate. Additionally, Gaddis' fastball velocity has increased by 2.3 mph, contributing to his improved performance. His ability to focus on fewer pitches and maximize their effectiveness has been crucial for the Guardians.

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Cade Smith: Striking Out the Competition

Cade Smith, an undrafted free agent signed in 2020, has made a significant impact in his first full season. Smith ranks seventh among AL relievers in strikeout rate (34.3%) and sixth in K-BB% (27.9%). His fastball, which he throws 67.8% of the time, has been his most valuable weapon. Averaging 95.7 mph, the pitch has a 26.2% whiff rate and has limited hitters to a .161 average and a .258 slugging percentage. Smith's ability to dominate with his fastball has been a key factor in his success and a major asset for the Guardians' bullpen.

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Tim Herrin: The Lefty Specialist

Tim Herrin has emerged as a crucial left-handed reliever for the Guardians. This season, he ranks third among lefty relievers in ERA (1.13) and sixth in batting average against (.164). Herrin has not allowed a home run this year, making him one of four pitchers to achieve this over at least 30 innings. Transitioning from a mix of pitches, Herrin now relies heavily on his curveball, which he throws 40.4% of the time. This pitch has held opponents to a .146 average and a .188 slugging percentage while generating a 36.6% whiff rate. Herrin's success against both righties and lefties has been pivotal for the Guardians, especially with fellow lefty Sam Hentges starting the season on the injured list.

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Guardians' Bullpen Depth

While Clase, Gaddis, Smith, and Herrin have been outstanding, the Guardians' bullpen depth is equally impressive. With additional arms like Scott Barlow, Pedro Avila, Nick Sandlin (currently on the IL), and Sam Hentges, the Guardians boast one of the most formidable late-game pitching staffs in MLB. Despite injuries to key players such as James Karinchak, Eli Morgan, and Trevor Stephan, Cleveland's bullpen remains a significant strength, providing a competitive edge in close games.

Bombastic Bullpen Numbers

The above chart just reinforces how good the core of this Cleveland bullpen has been all year.