![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/USATSI_26786612-scaled.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Rogers gives the Mets\u2019 bullpen a unique look. (Gregory Fisher \/ Imagn Images)<\/p>\n
Is there a weakness? Maybe. This group has a 95 Location+, meaning they have worse-than-average command, even among the reliever population. Edwin D\u00edaz can get a wild hair up his nose, Helsley has the odd struggle with the strike zone, and Gregory Soto has improved over the years, but still has a mediocre walk rate. But if a team takes too many pitches against the Mets, they might just bring in Rogers, who has the best walk rate among qualified relievers in baseball this year.<\/p>\n
This a great \u2018pen with lots of different looks, which seems important come playoff time.<\/p>\n
The Padres made arguably the biggest deadline splash in trading for Mason Miller. Let\u2019s now dive into their \u2018pen.<\/p>\n
Best Relievers, Padres<\/p>\n
NameERAK%BB%Stuff+Location+<\/p>\n
4.02<\/p>\n
38.8%<\/p>\n
11.9%<\/p>\n
123<\/p>\n
91<\/p>\n
2.61<\/p>\n
34.9%<\/p>\n
11.9%<\/p>\n
112<\/p>\n
111<\/p>\n
2.13<\/p>\n
25.8%<\/p>\n
5.1%<\/p>\n
120<\/p>\n
99<\/p>\n
3.17<\/p>\n
25.9%<\/p>\n
6.9%<\/p>\n
112<\/p>\n
105<\/p>\n
1.82<\/p>\n
24.7%<\/p>\n
10.6%<\/p>\n
103<\/p>\n
92<\/p>\n
2.68<\/p>\n
29.6%<\/p>\n
8.4%<\/p>\n
113<\/p>\n
100<\/p>\n
They took the No. 1 reliever in terms of 100+ mph fastballs and added him to a \u2018pen with the 10th-place guy, so you know this \u2018pen will do well by stuff metrics. They have the highest strikeout rate of these three bullpens, and the second-lowest walk rate, and strikeout-minus-walk rate is one of the best predictors of future pitching success.<\/p>\n
Is there anything wrong with Miller? While Williams with the Yankees has a seen a large downturn in strikeout rate, Miller is still striking out nearly 40 percent of the batters he sees, with more velocity this year than last though, and a better shape on his fastball. His inflated ERA compared to last year might carry a relatively simple explanation: ERA is not predictive, and he\u2019s doing everything else well, and if there\u2019s anything he can do to be better, it\u2019s to cut down on waste fastballs. He\u2019s nearly doubled his rate from last year, and those pitches are easy to take.<\/p>\n
Well, relatively easy to take. He still sits 101 mph. Add him to what might have been the best bullpen in baseball before the deadline, and you\u2019ve got your presumptive answer on the titular question.<\/p>\n
But hold on. We\u2019re still looking backwards, to some degree \u2014 we are trying to look backwards at predictive numbers, but we are still looking backwards. The best way to sum up the true talent of a player is actually to look at their projections and look forward. After all, if we\u2019re asking how good a player is right now we are really asking how good he\u2019ll be the next time out. And projections weigh all the different stats we are looking at and try to make the best sense of them in terms of weighing the most predictive elements of their stat lines, so that\u2019s another reason to use them.<\/p>\n