2012 BCB Community Projections: Relief Pitchers

We'll project the 7 guys I think are most likely to get the most innings this season. That's not to say that this will be the 7 pitchers that break camp with the Brewers, but they're the 7 most interesting at least.

John Axford

2010: 2.13 FIP, 2.41 tERA, 2.48 ERA, 58 IP (13 at AAA)

2011: 2.41 FIP, 2.34 tERA, 1.95 ERA, 74 IP

ZiPS: 3.18 FIP, 3.07 ERA, 67 IP

That looks very pretty. I think ZiPS is a bit high. [Jeffress joke]. This guy isn't Turnbow, those are elite numbers over the past two years.

Francisco Rodriguez

2010: 2.63 FIP, 2.62 tERA, 2.2 ERA, 57 IP

2011: 2.64 FIP, 2.76 tERA, 2.64 ERA, 72 IP

ZiPS: 3.26 FIP, 3.23 ERA, 64 IP

Right there is one of the best projections for a second bullpen option you'll see in the entire MLB.

Kameron Loe

2010: 3.71 FIP, 3.67 tERA, 2.78 ERA, 58 IP

2011: 2.80 FIP, 3.07 tERA, 3.50 ERA, 72 IP

ZiPS: 3.62 FIP, 3.61 ERA, 72 IP

And those aren't bad numbers for a third option, either. The important thing is NOT ALLOWING HIM TO FACE LEFTIES.

Jose Veras

2010: 4.06 FIP, 4.67 tERA, 3.75 ERA, 48 IP (30 AAA)

2011: 3.50 FIP, 3.52 tERA, 3.80 ERA, 71 IP

ZiPS: 3.90 FIP, 3.86 ERA, 63 IP

If Veras is the 2011 version, he's a very, very good fourth option and not necessarily a downgrade from Hawkins last year. Those last two years look as good as anyone that was cheaply available on the market this offseason. What's holding Veras back is his perception as a journeyman, but I think we could get a good year out of this guy.

Manny Parra

2010: 4.50 FIP, 4.60 tERA, 5.02 ERA, 122 IP

2011: Did not pitch in majors

ZiPS: 4.41 FIP, 4.80 ERA, 80 IP

Here's lefty wild card number 1. Longtime readers of this site will not be surprised to learn that I'm optimistic, he has performed well in the bullpen in the past and if he stays healthy I expect some good numbers. He's also a nice weapon because he is capable of going multiple innings.

Zach Braddock

2010: 2.90 FIP, 3.16 tERA, 2.94 ERA, 34 IP (16 AAA)

2011: 4.70 FIP, 4.39 tERA, 7.27 ERA, 17 IP (6 AAA)

ZiPS: 3.49 FIP, 3.60 ERA, 37 IP

Here's lefty wild card number 2. If you have a time machine, please shoot me an email and let me know how Braddock does this year. I could see any number of outcomes, all the way from not pitching in the majors at all, to throwing 60 innings with a sub-2 ERA. It's a crapshoot, but he has the stuff and he has the control. Hopefully he can overcome the off-field problems.

Marco Estrada

2010: 6.08 FIP, 5.43 tERA, 9.53 ERA, 11 IP (40 AAA)

2011: 3.67 FIP, 3.69 tERA, 4.08 ERA, 93 IP

ZiPS: 3.81 FIP, 4.03 ERA, 87 IP

Maybe 2011's most pleasant surprise really showed good stuff and got some really good results. I hope the Brewers use him in his best role, which is pitching multiple innings in a row, his struggles last season seemed to be mainly when he was asked to be "the seventh inning guy" or some role of that nature. He's the perfect guy to stick into a game when you're down 2 in the sixth or seventh and just let him go a few innings. I'd also imagine he'll make some starts in the majors this year.

Projections form below the jump. This wraps up the main portion of the projections project, I may ask for input on defense early next week. I'll tally up the results and work on some fun comparisons and visuals to post in the coming weeks.