San Francisco Giants 2016 Season Grades: The Bullpen

Sep 29, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy (15) congratulates relief pitcher Sergio Romo (54) after the end of the game against the Colorado Rockies at AT&T Park San Francisco Giants defeated the Colorado Rockies 7 to 2. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports

The San Francisco Giants 2016 Season Grade series keeps on trucking along. We’ve finally come to the bullpen. I’m sure this one has been anticipated as the bullpen pretty much decided the Giants’ fate in 2016.

The San Francisco Giants bullpen was a complete disaster in 2016. A total of 32 blown saves was the worst in the league. If they had half as many blown saves they probably would’ve won the division and avoided the Cubs in the first round. It was a dissappointing season for the ‘pen as a collective. However, some individuals did extremely well this year.

Our criteria won’t really change from the last few Grade series. The bullpen pitcher needs to make at least 20 appearances to be considered for this grade series.

Their grade will be assigned with the following taken into consideration: expectations, career trajectory, and the numbers themselves.

Let’s get started!

Aug 28, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Cory Gearrin (62) delivers a pitch during the ninth inning against the Atlanta Braves at AT&T Park the San Francisco Giants defeated the Atlanta Braves 13-4. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports

Corey Gearrin

RP, San Francisco Giants

C+Gearrin had an average first year in the big leagues. His ERA was a little high, coming in at 3.97 and he also had four blown saves. However, a WHIP of 1.16 showed he was doing something right. To put a rookie into a closing situation is relatively tough, especially when that hasn’t been a role they have experience with. Gerarrin will look to make some strides going into 2017.

Sep 1, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Josh Osich (61) delivers a pitch against the Chicago Cubs during the fifth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Josh Osich

RP, San Francisco Giants

CJosh Osich was a pitcher the Giants thought could come in and perform at Derek Law’s level. Now it’s a question of whether or not he could be on a big league roster. He needs to get some kinks worked out if he wants to see action as a member of the Giants next year. His 4.71 ERA and 1.38 WHIP was very disappointing this year. If he wants to make a case for a bullpen spot next year, he NEEDS to blow the staff away in spring training.Next: More Bullpen Grades!

Sep 3, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Will Smith (13) delivers a pitch during the eighth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. San Francisco won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Will Smith

RP, San Francisco Giants

BWill Smith has been a bit of a scapegoat lately. I like the trade, and I liked what he brings to the team. However, it just wasn’t what the Giants needed from a personnel standpoint. Will Smith though had a good season as a Giant. He had an opponent’s batting average of less than .200 in his 18 innings as a Giant. Smith should have plenty to build on as he enters his contract year. I think Giants fans will see how good he can be come next season.

Aug 17, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Hunter Strickland (60) throws a pitch during the sixth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Kenny Karst-USA TODAY Sports

Hunter Strickland

RP, San Francisco Giants

BHunter Strickland is MUCH improved from his rookie campaign and he’s built on his solid rookie season. Strickland is a big favorite for the closer role, mainly because of his velocity. However, Strickland hasn’t done much to win that role over, going 3/8 in save opps. this year. His five blown saves are what knocks a season that could’ve gotten an A- down to a B. An ERA of 3.10 and 1.13 WHIP is not too shabby. Strickland is definitely a serious bull-pen piece going forward, I just don’t think he’s cut out for the closer role.

Sep 30, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Javier Lopez (49) and his children Kylan and Christian in the dugout before the start of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports

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Javy Lopez

RP, San Francisco Giants

C+Javy Lopez has literally been around forever. He has four world series rings, and is one of a few Giants to have all three from this decade. His importance to the bullpen in the past has been unparralelled. A surefire guy to bring in when the big lefty hitter comes up. Lopez has been the trusty steed in those situations nearly his entire career. However, it’s clear his decline has set in. He was simply fantastic last season, with a 1.6 ERA. This year, his ERA nearly quadrupled. He allowed more base-runners in nearly seven innings less of work. Tack on the runs he surrendered, it just wasn’t Javy’s season. He’ll turn 39 next year and a big question surrounds the role he’ll play with the club in the future. Next: EVEN MORE BULLPEN GRADES!

Oct 8, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Derek Law (64) pitches against the Chicago Cubs during the seventh inning during game two of the 2016 NLDS playoff baseball series at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Derek Law

RP, San Francisco Giants

Ahis rookie season, and he definitely exceeded that hype. Statistically, he was one of the best pitchers in the bullpen. He’s definitely a candidate for the closer in the future, and probably my personal favorite to take the role in the future.
Law posted the lowest ERA on the team for anybody who threw 50+innings. His 2.13 beat out the next best ERA by .40 (Kontos). For a rookie campaign, his 2.13 ERA and 0.96 WHIP lead the entire Giants bullpen. Law’s Year was incredible and he deserves to get an A.

Oct 8, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; San Francisco Giants relief pitcher George Kontos (70) pitches against the Chicago Cubs during the third inning during game two of the 2016 NLDS playoff baseball series at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

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George Kontos

RP, San Francisco Giants

A-Kontos had one of his best seasons as a pro in 2016. A 2.53 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in 53.1 innings was one of the best on the ball club this year. His numbers came in JUST behind Derek Law’s. Kontos was more of a 6/7 inning guy this year and he did extremely well there. Opponents hit a meager .219 off of him this year. His improvement this year, coupled with his numbers earn him a solid “A-“.Next: Finally, Romo and Casilla

Oct 10, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Sergio Romo (54) pitches against the Chicago Cubs in the ninth inning during game three of the 2016 NLDS playoff baseball series at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports

Sergio Romo

RP, San Francisco Giants

C+Romo’s season was plagued from the start. A serious injury to his throwing arm kept him out for quite some time. However, he never really got back to being the Romo we saw in 2012 and 2013. Romo’s numbers total weren’t terrible as he posted a 2.64 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP. He did make all four of his save opportunities in 2016. The reason for this grade though stems purely from his attitude. He showed up Bruce Bochy multiple times on the field. His antics and arrogance he displayed was something you shouldn’t see in a team leader like him. Whether he was right or wrong, it simply was not ok for him to act like that. For that, he gets a C+ based on his lack of clubhouse character.