2018 Spring Previews: The Bullpen

A brief look at the relief pitchers we may see in Tacoma in 2018

Reliever Pat Light throws for the Tacoma Rainiers on Sunday, August 6, 2017 at Cheney Stadium. (Jeff Halstead)

By Mike Curto

February 27, 2018

The following position preview was originally posted on Booth, Justice, and the American Pastime and is the sixth and final installment of a multi-part series looking at the Rainiers possible 2018 Opening Day roster.---It's time for our final spring training positional preview, in which we look at the 2018 Tacoma Rainiers bullpen

The following position preview was originally posted on Booth, Justice, and the American Pastime and is the sixth and final installment of a multi-part series looking at the Rainiers possible 2018 Opening Day roster.
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It's time for our final spring training positional preview, in which we look at the 2018 Tacoma Rainiers bullpen candidates.
We've done these previews for at least five years now, and the bullpen section is always kind of silly. There are just so many players who could end up being in the Rainiers bullpen.

It starts at the top, with the big league club, and there is always a spring training battle for a spot or two (or some years, three or four) in the Seattle bullpen.
Mix in the injury issues that often crop up with pitchers, and you begin to realize how fluid the whole situation is.
I think it's easiest to lump the relievers into groups. These are my generalizations and may not reflect the opinions of Scott Servais and Jerry Dipoto.

MAJOR LEAGUERS

These relievers appear to be locks to make the big league bullpen, if healthy.

Edwin Diaz
Juan Nicasio
James Pazos
David Phelps
Marc Rzepczynski
Nick Vincent
Tony Zych

If they go with an eight-man bullpen, which they probably will, they'll add one more.

OUT OF OPTIONS

Shawn Armstrong
Marco Gonzales

These two cannot be optioned to Tacoma without going through waivers, giving them a leg up to make the big league team. Gonzales is battling for the fifth starter role in the rotation, but if someone beats him out he'll end up in the bullpen (hard to imagine the M's prized trade acquisition getting DFA'd). Armstrong was acquired from Cleveland and is under pressure to make the big league team; spring training results will be particularly meaningful for him.

THE ARIEL MIRANDA SITUATION

Aríel Miranda

Miranda is competing for the No. 5 starter role, but what if he doesn't get it? The M's will have to decide if they want him working as a long man in the major league bullpen, or if they prefer to have him starting games in Tacoma. The recent injury to Erasmo Ramírez may affect Miranda's situation.

THE MAJOR LEAGUE EXPERIENCED GUYS ON THE 40-MAN ROSTER

Dan Altavilla
Chasen Bradford
Sam Moll
Mike Morin
Nick Rumbelow

These relievers are all on the 40-man roster, and as far as I can tell have minor league options remaining. Each of them has appeared in the majors - Morin has three years of service - and each of them will be given an opportunity to show their stuff in the Cactus League. Each of them will pitch for Tacoma if they don't make the big league team.

INVITED PLAYERS

Ryan Cook
Ryan Garton
Johendí Jiminian

Very different backgrounds here, but all three have been invited to big league camp. Cook is an established major leaguer coming off of major elbow surgery; not sure where he stands physically right now but he's been out for two years. Garton spent time in the majors with Tampa and Seattle the last two seasons, and figures to be a Rainiers reliever unless he dominates in Arizona and makes the big club. Jiminian has limited Triple-A experience and could go to Tacoma or Double-A Arkansas - but the organization is curious to see how he looks at the highest level in spring training.

TRIPLE-A STARTERS WHO COULD BE MAJOR LEAGUE LONG RELIEVERS

Christian Bergman
Casey Lawrence

These are good Triple-A starters and returning Tacoma Rainiers who have previously pitched as starters and long relievers when in the majors. Both are non-roster invitees to big league camp.

THE RETURNEE

Pat Light

Light finished the 2017 season with Tacoma and remains in the organization. He'll report to minor league camp next week.

THE PROSPECTS

Matthew Festa
Art Warren

This duo is joined at the hip. They both had breakout seasons at Class-A Modesto in 2017. They went to the prospect-laden Arizona Fall League as a pair, and reports were positive. They have been invited to big league camp. Might a strong Cactus League showing by one (or both) result in a leap over Double-A and an assignment with Tacoma? Stay tuned and find out.

UNDER THE RADAR

Darin Gillies

Nobody ever talks about him, but the Arizona State product has a career 2.97 ERA since being selected in the tenth round of the 2015 draft. Gillies had a 3.32 ERA in 59 innings last year at Double-Arkansas and could be in line for a promotion.

WAY, WAY, WAY UNDER THE RADAR

Scott Kuzminsky

The Puyallup High School graduate toiled for three years in independent leagues before the Mariners rescued him late last season. He appeared in nine games - seven with short-season Everett, and two for Tacoma. He has only one month of affiliated experience, but his age (26) is Double-A or Triple-A appropriate.
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That's our look at the Rainiers relief candidates - and I apologize if I missed anyone, which is always a possibility in this large category.
The exhibition games started today. We'll be back with a new post on Tuesday to see what we learned from the first four Cactus League games.