Optimized bullpen

Mizzery · 07-22-2019, 05:51 PM

Has anybody tested the optimal number of starting pitching in the bullpen?

I was slow to incorporate it into my strategy in 19, but in 20 I have had great success in moving my 6th best starter in the bullpen. I am now thinking maybe a 2nd starter should go into the pen as well, especially as pitchers seem to get fatigued at a higher level in 20.

Anybody have results to share of 2 or more starters in the pen, especially at the higher levels?

Rain King · 07-22-2019, 06:04 PM

I think it depends on the quality of the excess starting pitchers you have vs. the quality of relief pitchers that you have. I would imagine a bullpen of all "starters" would be possible if you have that many good starting pitchers.

humboldt1498 · 07-22-2019, 06:22 PM

What is optimal completely depends on the make up of your team and your team strategy.

daves · 07-22-2019, 08:42 PM

I have at least 3 or more staters in my bullpen. Players like Ryan Koufax and Feller are excellent setup men, some teams I only have one true reliever.

Putting Staters in your bullpen gives you better flexibility. If a stater is struggling in your rotation, move your bullpen and maybe that starter you took out of your rotation would be a help in relief?

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chazzycat · 07-23-2019, 01:27 PM

I think if you have an unlimited budget, there's no max number of starters you can put in your pen. They can throw more innings than relief pitchers, and gain extra stuff from converting to relief, so why not?

I think the more relevant question for most players is: Does it make sense to pay SP prices for someone to throw half as many innings (at best)?

Goliathus · 07-23-2019, 07:13 PM

I think it depends on how you upgrade your teams. I find myself upgrading my SPs constantly and my old SPs then get relegated to the bullpen. Sounds very MLB to me, cuz I am sure a lot of the MLB relievers are true aces of their high schools and colleges.

allenciox · 07-23-2019, 07:35 PM

Keep in mind, though, that the best relievers are going to be better than good starters converted to relievers.

I personally try to have at least one starting pitcher in the bullpen for all my teams, set as a long reliever. The reason is that the game will almost never put in any other reliever for more than 2 innings... and in a game where the starter gets pulled early that can tire out your pen unless you have a "real" long reliever (i.e. a starter) that can go longer. I have seen games where my SP goes 4 innings and my SP in the pen (as a long reliever) goes 5 innings.

I usually use a "good" SP in that role (usually my four "best" starters are SP 1-4, then my fifth best is my LR, and then the next best is my fifth starter), and also set him to be used in high leverage situations. He will almost always have over 100 innings in relief during the year. It also helps to make sure that he is a pitcher who gains 7 or more points in stuff when converted to an RP.

chazzycat · 07-24-2019, 01:03 PM

The "stopper" role is also quite well suited to converted starters, IMO. If you set them to 7th inning, they will pitch 3 inning saves.

07-22-2019, 05:51 PM	#1
Mizzery Minors (Single A) Join Date: Feb 2019 Posts: 99	Optimized bullpen Has anybody tested the optimal number of starting pitching in the bullpen? I was slow to incorporate it into my strategy in 19, but in 20 I have had great success in moving my 6th best starter in the bullpen. I am now thinking maybe a 2nd starter should go into the pen as well, especially as pitchers seem to get fatigued at a higher level in 20. Anybody have results to share of 2 or more starters in the pen, especially at the higher levels?

07-22-2019, 08:42 PM	#4
daves Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 3,635	I have at least 3 or more staters in my bullpen. Players like Ryan Koufax and Feller are excellent setup men, some teams I only have one true reliever. Putting Staters in your bullpen gives you better flexibility. If a stater is struggling in your rotation, move your bullpen and maybe that starter you took out of your rotation would be a help in relief? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________

07-23-2019, 07:35 PM	#7
allenciox All Star Reserve Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 735	Keep in mind, though, that the best relievers are going to be better than good starters converted to relievers. I personally try to have at least one starting pitcher in the bullpen for all my teams, set as a long reliever. The reason is that the game will almost never put in any other reliever for more than 2 innings... and in a game where the starter gets pulled early that can tire out your pen unless you have a "real" long reliever (i.e. a starter) that can go longer. I have seen games where my SP goes 4 innings and my SP in the pen (as a long reliever) goes 5 innings. I usually use a "good" SP in that role (usually my four "best" starters are SP 1-4, then my fifth best is my LR, and then the next best is my fifth starter), and also set him to be used in high leverage situations. He will almost always have over 100 innings in relief during the year. It also helps to make sure that he is a pitcher who gains 7 or more points in stuff when converted to an RP. __________________

07-22-2019, 06:04 PM	#2
Rain King Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 2,111	I think it depends on the quality of the excess starting pitchers you have vs. the quality of relief pitchers that you have. I would imagine a bullpen of all "starters" would be possible if you have that many good starting pitchers.

07-22-2019, 06:22 PM	#3
humboldt1498 Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Dec 2018 Posts: 208	What is optimal completely depends on the make up of your team and your team strategy.

07-23-2019, 01:27 PM	#5
chazzycat All Star Starter Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 1,685	I think if you have an unlimited budget, there's no max number of starters you can put in your pen. They can throw more innings than relief pitchers, and gain extra stuff from converting to relief, so why not? I think the more relevant question for most players is: Does it make sense to pay SP prices for someone to throw half as many innings (at best)?

07-23-2019, 07:13 PM	#6
Goliathus Major Leagues Join Date: Apr 2019 Posts: 449	I think it depends on how you upgrade your teams. I find myself upgrading my SPs constantly and my old SPs then get relegated to the bullpen. Sounds very MLB to me, cuz I am sure a lot of the MLB relievers are true aces of their high schools and colleges.

07-24-2019, 01:03 PM	#8
chazzycat All Star Starter Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 1,685	The "stopper" role is also quite well suited to converted starters, IMO. If you set them to 7th inning, they will pitch 3 inning saves.