Miami Marlins Season Review: Bullpen Grades (2 Of 3)

Today we continue our season grades for the Miami Marlins with a closer look at the Marlins’ bullpen. Pitching was Miami’s main strength all season and the bullpen certainly contributed their part. We will issue grades to a vital cog in that bullpen, and the Marlins’ main set-up man this season. Here is a closer look at Ryan Webb and A.J. Ramos.

Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

Ryan Webb:

Webb was used as a right-handed weapon, mainly during the 6th and 7th innings of Marlin games. Webb is a sinkerball pitcher, with a good, heavy fastball. He was most effective keeping the ball down in the zone and getting inning-ending double plays. He appeared in 66 games for the Marlins, and threw 80.1 innings. He finished 2013 with an ERA of 2.91 and a WHIP of 1.207. He had a WAR of 1.2.

Entering this season, Webb was expected to be a contributing member of the bullpen. While not outstanding, he was certainly steady overall. His sinker is a valuable weapon out of the bullpen and if he continues this type of play, he will have no trouble finding work. He was especially clutch with runners in scoring position as opposing hitters batted only .196 with 2 outs in that situation. I was impressed with Webb this season. That has earned him his grade.

GRADE: B-

Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

A.J. Ramos:

Ramos is a hard throwing, fiery right hander that the Marlins leaned heavily on this season. He excelled in his role as a set-up man to Steve Cishek. The 26 year-old had only thrown 9.1 innings prior to the 2013 season. He posted a 3.15 ERA and a 1.263 WHIP. He appeared in 68 games throwing 80 innings. His K/9 rate of 9.7 was superb.

When you dig deeper into his statistics, you find that he was very clutch, particularly in “late and close” games and tied games.

Split	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	SB	CS	BB	SO	SO/BB	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	TB	GDP	HBP	SH	SF	IBB	BAbip	tOPS+	sOPS+
2 outs, RISP	28	41	34	10	9	0	1	2	1	0	6	6	1.00	.265	.390	.500	.890	17	0	1	0	0	1	.269	195	158
Late & Close	39	174	152	17	30	7	1	1	4	1	18	46	2.56	.197	.283	.276	.560	42	0	1	1	2	2	.271	85	66
Tie Game	19	79	72	4	12	2	0	0	0	0	6	21	3.50	.167	.228	.194	.422	14	0	0	0	1	0	.231	40	20
Within 1 R	40	180	160	15	31	7	1	1	4	1	17	50	2.94	.194	.268	.269	.537	43	1	0	1	2	2	.270	78	52
Within 2 R	50	247	215	24	47	11	2	3	6	2	29	66	2.28	.219	.309	.330	.639	71	1	0	1	2	3	.297	112	80
Within 3 R	57	281	242	29	50	11	2	4	7	2	35	75	2.14	.207	.307	.318	.625	77	1	1	1	2	3	.279	107	76

I love the batting average against numbers that Ramos posted. He proved himself more than able to step up in big time situations which was sorely needed with this young staff. He has a relief pitcher’s mentality and I could see him at least getting a shot at being a closer sometime in his career. I think he certainly earned this grade with a fine first season.

GRADE: B+

We will give the overall grade for the bullpen when we finish our bullpen season review tomorrow. Until then, how well do you think Webb and Ramos performed on the season? What grades would you give them? Let us know in the comments below.

Here’s to 2014!

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