2018 Pinstripe Preview: Aroldis Chapman
The Yankees bullpen has
been a strength of their team in recent years and thanks to some great work by
Brian Cashman last season, the group got even stronger. Although the new faces played
an important role in the team’s success down the stretch and in the playoffs
some familiar faces remained, led by flame throwing closer Aroldis Chapman.
Chapman is entering the second season of his five-year deal with the team and
although he had an up and down season plagued by injury and inconsistency, he
was eventually able to regain his form and lead the group down the stretch last
season. We do not know how Aaron Boone will deploy this Yankee bullpen but it
would be a huge boost to the club if he could remain healthy and consistent all
season. When he is right, he is electric and one of the best in baseball but
heading into this season, which Aroldis Chapman will the Yankees get?
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| Credit: Getty Images |
2017
Review
Chapman got off to a good
start for the season, allowing just one run in 10 April appearances and converting
his first seven save opportunities but the wheels started to come off in May. After
allowing three runs and three hits while blowing a save on May 7th,
Chapman allowed three more hits and a run a few days later before being placed
on the DL with shoulder inflammation on May 13th. He was activated
from the DL on June 18th and was mostly good until mid-August. On
August 11th he notched a save but allowed a run and three walks in
the process. Chapman would go on to allow runs in four consecutive appearances while
watching his ERA balloon all the way to 4.29. Joe Girardi demoted him from the
closers role so that he could figure out his struggles in less pressure filled
situations, which he eventually did. After allowing eight runs and six walks in
August, Chapman did not allow a run and walked just two while striking out 17
batters and notching six saves in September. Chapman’s resurgence played a key
role for a Yankee team that gained momentum down the stretch and carried it
through the playoffs.
Overall for the season he
pitched to a 3.22 ERA with 22 saves in 50.1 innings over 52 appearances. For
the postseason, he allowed just one run and two walks over eight innings while
striking out 16. While the struggles and the injuries he endured in 2017 are concerning,
Chapman was able to rebound nicely. Hopefully he can take that momentum into
this coming season.
2018
Preview
After his up and down
season in 2017, the first thing we should hope for in 2018 is health. Although
a shoulder injury is concerning, there was no structural damage and for someone
who throws as hard as he does, Chapman has remained remarkably healthy
throughout his career. We can only hope that good luck continues. With all the
depth the Yankees have in the pen, they should have no problem keeping him
fresh throughout the season. As long as that happens the performance should be
as good as it has been for most of his career. Although his ERA was over three
last season, it has only been that high for one other season of his career and
it was inflated due to a handful of bad appearances. Most of his other numbers
were in line with his career norms and that should continue.
If he can regain
his consistency we will likely see a season with an ERA around two and 35-40
saves. With this Yankee offense he will probably have plenty of opportunities
to pitch with a lead. For years, Chapman has been one of the most exciting
pitchers in baseball. Although he had some hiccups last year, I’d bet that we’ll
be seeing that electric fastball dominate hitters again this season.
Article by Matt Graziano
Follow @mattgraz930Follow @BronxBomberBall
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