New York Yankees: Chad Green Out-Pitching Bigger Bullpen Names

After a record-setting performance last week, there’s little doubt that Chad Green is the best pitcher in a star-studded New York Yankees bullpen this season.

The 2017 season has been full of surprises for the New York Yankees, perhaps none bigger than the emergence of Chad Green as one of the top relievers in baseball. The former starter has found his niche among the likes of seasoned veterans Dellin Betances and David Robertson with an electric fastball and the stamina to go multiple innings per appearance.

He’s rapidly becoming New York’s best relief pitcher, but just how good has Green been this season compared to his teammates?

In just 59.1 innings this season, Green has 90 strikeouts, a number that ranks in the top-ten among all relievers in baseball and tied for first among New York Yankees relievers. Green is tied with Betances and has Tommy Kahnle beat by seven and Robertson by 14.

In the first game of last Wednesday’s doubleheader against the Cleveland Indians, the 26-year-old struck out seven of the eight batters he faced in 2.2 innings pitched, the most strikeouts in such a short appearance since the live ball era began in the 1920s.

Green followed up that record-setting performance with 2.1 perfect innings on Monday with four strikeouts. He’s recorded at least three strikeouts in 16 of his 32 games this season.

Green’s 13 earned runs are the best amongst Yankee relievers (one fewer than Betances), while his 15 walks are good for a second place tie with Adam Warren. Tommy Kahnle leads the team, having only allowed 13 walks combined with the Chicago White Sox and Yankees.

More from New York Yankees

The four home runs Green has surrendered in 32 games put him in a three-way tie with Kahnle and Warren for the third fewest allowed among players with at least 35 innings pitched, trailing only Betances and Aroldis Chapman.

His 1.97 ERA is one of the lowest in baseball and leads all Yankees relievers who have pitched at least 35 innings this season.

Green has found what should be a permanent home in the Yankee pen after making incredible improvements to his game from just a year ago. As a starter in 2016, he struck out 52 batters in 12 games while giving up 24 earned runs on 49 hits, including 12 home runs. Green had a 4.73 ERA and gave up an ugly 2.4 homers per nine innings pitched.

Although he isn’t starting anymore, all of Green’s numbers as a reliever eclipse those of 2016, despite him throwing more innings this season. He’s only giving up 0.6 home runs per nine innings and has given up less than half of the total home runs and runs. The only aspect of Green’s game that needs improvement is his 15 walked batters, a number that already matches his total from 2016.

He strikes out plenty of hitters with overpowering fastballs and can give his team some distance. Like most relievers, however, he pitches at his best when he can bring it on every pitch and not have to worry about pacing himself like a starter would.

Next: Yankees Series Win Against Sox Means More Than Just Division

The numbers don’t lie, and they prove that Chad Green, not Betances, Warren and certainly not Chapman, has been the best and most consistent relief pitcher in the Bronx this season.

Home/New York Yankees