Nationals Farm Authority

A frequently metioned concern with the trading of Gary Majewski and Bill Bray is who the Nationals will look to fill in their spots in the bullpen. The first answer was made known from the original press release, LSU grad Roy Corcoran, who put up solid numbers as the closer for both New Orleans and Harrisburg in 2006. The second name was announced as replacement for SP John Patterson who was placed on the 15-day DL with continued arm problems. On his way to Washington is veteran RP Kevin Gryboski.

While the losses of Majewski and Bray may appear troubling on the surface, there is one certainty when it comes to RPs in the bullpen.  There is no certainty.

Take as an example, Gary Majewski.  Majewski came out of nowhere in 2005 proving an invaluable arm for the Nationals.  But many have forgotten, he was only added to the bullpen when RP Antonio Osuna was placed on the DL with a right shoulder strain on April 18.  Prior to that, Majewski was the other guy acquired with Jon Rauch from the White Sox in exchange for Carl Everett.  Majewski’s minor league numbers at that point were pedestrian (see table below), he had a solid K/9 rate but his BB/9 rate (nearly 4BB per 9IP) was not the thing one would look for out of a RP.

Outside of their closer and perhaps one set-up guy, most teams do not have any idea who is going to excel in the role of middle relief pitcher. 

Some certainties flame out due to overuse or injury. 

Some journeyman RPs have bounce back seasons with the addition of a new pitch.

Younger players with resilient arms flash signs of brilliance. 

The point is that the Nationals have options to replace Majewski and Bray in the bullpen.  The problem is identifying them.  And that is likely going to be by trial-and-error.  And given the Nationals position in the pennant chase, they have nothing but the time to figure out who is a worthwhile option and who doesn’t fit their plans.

Below is a table of the career numbers of the two players lost (Majewski and Bray), the two players added (Corcoran and Gryboski) as well as three other options currently pitching in New Orleans.

Player	Lg	G	IP	SV	ERA	WHIP	K/9	BB/9	HR/9
Majewski	MLB	143	163.67	2	3.40	1.41	5.4	3.7	0.4
	AAA	95	137.67	19	3.72	1.25	8.6	3.6	0.3
	AA	57	74.67	3	2.65	1.27	9.0	4.1	0.4
	A	62	293.00	1	4.51	1.39	7.2	4.1	0.7
	R	13	76.67	0	3.05	1.36	10.7	4.3	0.5
Bray	MLB	20	24.00	0	3.75	1.38	6.0	3.4	0.8
	AAA	23	21.33	2	5.06	1.50	10.5	3.8	1.3
	AA	3	5.67	1	6.34	1.94	9.5	1.6	1.6
	A	14	20.00	4	3.15	1.05	10.8	1.8	0.5
Corcoran	MLB	11	13.67	0	3.95	1.90	4.6	5.9	0.0
	AAA	84	115.00	8	4.06	1.44	7.1	4.7	0.5
	AA	14	23.67	3	0.38	0.89	9.9	2.7	0.0
	A	77	115.00	23	3.44	1.22	11.0	2.9	0.5
	R	13	17.33	2	1.55	0.81	10.9	1.0	1.0
Gryboski	MLB	233	178.00	2	3.74	1.65	5.1	5.2	0.6
	AAA	105	118.33	27	4.18	1.51	7.2	3.7	1.0
	AA	65	85.33	19	3.16	1.39	6.9	3.1	0.6
	A	118	330.00	11	5.07	1.52	6.6	3.8	0.7
Hughes	MLB	16	14.33	0	6.28	2.23	7.5	6.3	2.5
	AAA	76	143.00	13	4.40	1.45	8.4	3.8	0.6
	AA	137	367.33	15	4.11	1.52	8.5	4.6	0.7
	A	69	283.33	11	3.52	1.26	7.8	3.4	0.6
	R	22	41.33	2	3.91	1.33	10.5	5.4	0.4
Bergmann	MLB	32	40.67	0	5.53	1.79	9.3	4.9	1.3
	AAA	20	37.00	2	3.16	1.05	9.5	3.2	1.2
	AA	23	41.00	5	1.97	1.27	8.8	4.0	1.3
	A	74	277.33	8	3.69	1.37	7.3	4.5	0.6
Campbell	AAA	1	2.00	0	0.00	0.50	13.5	0.0	0.0
	AA	13	14.33	8	3.14	1.88	12.6	6.9	0.0
	A	82	114.67	28	3.45	1.24	9.2	3.2	0.9
	R	5	7.00	1	3.86	1.71	14.1	7.7	0.0

As you can see, the numbers put up by Corcoran, Hughes, Bergmann, and even Campbell are not that out of line with what Majewski did in the minor leagues.  He just excelled in the opportunity provided him and more importantly, gained the confidence of Frank Robinson to be used in relief. 

Corcoran was a deserved choice.  In his 37 appearances in 2006, the 26-year old RHP threw 44.33IP with a 1.22ERA, 1.08WHIP, 13.0K/9, 5.0BB/9, and 0.2HR/9.  While the walk totals are troubling, Corcoran had demonstrated that he was a capable option out of the bullpen who could keep the ball in the park and possessed a stron ability to strike guys out.  His first outing was a bit rough around the edges, Corcoran deserves every opportunity to prove whether he deserves to stick around.

The other choice in Gryboski is a bit more questionable.  The 32-year old journeyman RHP has put up unspectacular numbers in 46.67IP in New Orleans (3.86ERA, 1.50WHIP, 6K/9, 4BB/9, and 0.6HR/9).  The only conclusion is that the Nationals felt the need to add more experience to their bullpen.

The Nationals have made their selections to address the immediate need.  They now need to give Corcoran and Gryboski every opportunity to perform.  But if either are to fail, there is no need to worry.  There are other options waiting in the wings.