Wise Kraken 49.2032: Carolina Bullpen Shows Growth

[aaronweiner]

If you remove Rafael Mata from the equation, the average age of Carolina relievers this season is 23.7 this season. That's old enough to drink, but not old enough to rent a car; recent call-up Sean Spits is just 20 years old. Yet this group of youngsters has one thing in common: success. After a few early season struggles, the Kraken bullpen has been pitching at a high level this season, with consistency up and down the group.

Wise Kraken highlighted Marcio Idanha last week, and the lefty's 38 innings in this young season have been very solid, with a ERA at league average and a FIP of 4.05 this year. Celio Marin, also highlighted earlier, has recovered from some early-season shakiness and has been the best pitcher on the staff over the last month, as the righty is making a case to get a shot in the rotation.

"Celio and Marcio have been our two best relievers this year," said pitching coach Ed Eldridge. "Celio is really something. He's got such command of his pitches that people end up swinging whether they want to or not."

Aaron Campbell has also turned it around since his rookie season a year ago. The former Rule 5 pick has pitched just six innings, but his 3 flat ERA has shown his growth in year 2 with the Kraken. The righty has eight strikeouts in those six innings with one walk. They could stand to use him a little more often, but the 23-year old might be the team's future closer.

"We've got to consider giving a bigger role to Aaron Campbell," said Eldridge. "But we know he's injury-prone and we don't want to overtax his arm, because he's got a golden arm there if we just use it correctly."

Leonardo Gonzalez and Kent Ward have also been solid this season, as Ward has posted a 2.20 ERA in long relief and Gonzalez is not far behind him at a 3.68 ERA. Both players have gotten good defense, but, of course, the Kraken have a good defense.

The solid middle relief is even more important because All-World closer Mata has been very poor this season, blowing three saves already and posting a 7.31 ERA, even though advanced stats say he's been better than that.

"I can't imagine how much worse we could have been if this group of kids weren't ready to perform," said Kraken pitching coach Ed Eldridge. "There's a ton of talent here but they're really translating it into numbers."