Arizona Diamondbacks Spring Training Roster Report: Relief Pitchers

MIDDLE RELIEF

September 10, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher

(30) pitches during the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

David Hernandez
Joe Thatcher
Matt Reynolds
Will Harris
Eury De La Rosa

The key guy in this group is Hernandez. Back in 2012, he looked like he was the closer of the future. He put up a 2-3 record, but his 2.50 ERA and 12.9 strikeouts per-nine innings made him look like a shoo-in. Instead, Hernandez regressed severely and had some serious confidence issues.

Flash back to his rookie year, 2009, when he gave up 27 home runs, 2.4 per-nine innings. After working hard to control the ball and keep it down, he got to a career-best .5 home runs per-nine innings and just 2.9 walks in 2012. 2013 turned into a total disaster, as he went 5-6, gave up 1.4 home runs per-nine, walked 3.5 and struck out 9.5.

His ERA of 4.48 ended his four-year run of improving averages and was a real confidence-buster for him. If the Diamondbacks are to succeed, they’re going to need this group of middle relievers to do a better job bridging the gap to the setup man and closer.