Texas Rangers’ bullpen has been one of baseball’s best to start the season
Coming into the 2023 season much was made about how good the Texas Rangers could be. Most of the chatter focused on the revamped starting pitching rotation or on the high-priced bats.
However, a month into the season it’s been the bullpen that has made the biggest impression but their hot start hasn’t surprised bullpen coach Brett Hayes.
“All that noise of who’s good who’s not, that’s irrelevant to us,” he said.
Last season the Rangers’ bullpen had a 3.72 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 8.7 strike outs per nine innings, went 37-for-67 in save opportunities and held batters to a .228 average.
Through Friday the Rangers bullpen has a 2.84 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 8.53 strike outs per nine innings, gone two-for-three in save opportunities and held batters to a .201 average.
The Rangers rank in the top six among bullpens in ERA, opponent batting average and WHIP.
So what changed? Not much according to Hayes, who has been the bullpen coach since 2022.
“In terms of mentality no difference in mentality,” said Hayes.
Reliever Taylor Hearn, who was recently optioned to the minors, agreed with Hayes’ assessment.
“All the guys that were in the bullpen last year, we’ve had the same mentality taking it into this year,” he said. “Everybody has been open-minded.”
The open-mindedness comes in hand with how the Rangers rotate the roles in the bullpen. In some games, Will Smith might close depending on the matchups, even though José Leclerc is the primary closer. The players feel the staff does a great job explaining the hows and whys of their bullpen decisions.
The lack of egos has allowed them to thrive.
Dane Dunning said he relied on veterans like Will Smith, Brock Burke and Taylor Hearns to help him transition into his new role in the bullpen and also lauded Hayes for how he’s managed the bullpen.
Dunning and Cole Ragans have impressed with their versatility especially considering both were starting pitchers last season. Asked who stood out to him this season, Hayes mentioned both pitchers.
“Cole Ragans stood out, it’s hard not to acknowledge the velocity jump,” said Hayes. “Dane Dunning I’ve been extremely impressed by, he’s really thrived in his new role.”
Another newcomer who has made a big impact? Pitching coach Mike Maddux, who returned to the Rangers after stops with the Washington Nationals and the St Louis Cardinals.
“Mad Dog, he’s been phenomenal,” Hayes said. “I just try and learn as much as I can from him each day really, but he’s just brought an attitude to this staff that is just visible.”
Hearns and Dunning praised Maddux as well, saying his combination of old- and new-school pitching values was invaluable. Hearns also commended manager Bruce Bochy, who he said had put the bullpen in the right position to succeed.
This story was originally published April 14, 2023 at 1:38 PM.
