Bullpen in 2026: Who's next?

[imref]

On the roster:

Clayton Beeter (R)
Jake Bennett (L)
Jake Eder (L)
Julian Fernandez (R)
Cole Henry (R)
Andry Lara (R)
Sauryn Lao (R)
Griff McGary (R)
Konor Pilkington (L0
PJ Poulin (L)
Orlando Ribalta (R)
Jackson Rutledge (R)

Rotation guys that could move to the pen: Alvarez (L), Cornelio (R), Parker (R), Williams (R) (assuming a rotation of Gore, Gray, Cavalli, Lord, Irvin). Herz (L) is out there as well (not sure when he could come back).

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Who's Next?

Looks more like Led Zeppelin's "The Song Remains the Same."

[HondoKillebrew]

Who's Next?

Looks more like Led Zeppelin's "The Song Remains the Same."

I don’t know.  The album photo for Who’s Next seems particularly appropriate.

[imref]

Who's Next?

Looks more like Led Zeppelin's "The Song Remains the Same."

same from the end of last year (minus Ferrar) when the bullpen wasn't that terrible. But thankfully, not much left from opening day when we had Finnegan (ok, we miss him), Jorge López, Lucas Sims, Colin Poche, Eduardo Salazar, Orlando Ribalta and Brad Lord

Just Ribalta remains in the pen, and he's probably gone the minute we need his 40-man slot.

[imref]

yes, rotation and bullpen, corrected.

Could give Beeter a shoot at closing.

Pilklington was pretty effective as the closer in Rochester last year as well IIRC.

[varoadking]

On the roster:

Clayton Beeter (R)
Jake Bennett (L)
Jake Eder (L)
Julian Fernandez (R)
Cole Henry (R)
Andry Lara (R)
Sauryn Lao (R)
Griff McGary (R)
Konor Pilkington (L0
PJ Poulin (L)
Orlando Ribalta (R)
Jackson Rutledge (R)

Rotation guys that could move to the pen: Alvarez (L), Cornelio (R), Parker (R), Williams (R) (assuming a rotation of Gore, Gray, Cavalli, Lord, Irvin). Herz (L) is out there as well (not sure when he could come back).

Ugh...

[nobleisthyname]

Why is Bennett listed here? There's no way they don't try and keep him in the rotation, right? And I think they're still using Eder as a starter in the minors, so he might fit more in the starters to bullpen category.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Beeter, Poulin, and Henry I think are the high leverage guys, Pilkington is a bridge to them, McGarry starts as a low lev guy, then there are 3-4 spots up for grabs.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I don’t know.  The album photo for Who’s Next seems particularly appropriate.

well, they hit their targets in that cover. More appropriate for the Nats would have been them facing upwind and getting blowback

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Why is Bennett listed here? There's no way they don't try and keep him in the rotation, right? And I think they're still using Eder as a starter in the minors, so he might fit more in the starters to bullpen category.

I think it's just the 40 man roster pitchers less the 5 or so guys who will be in the rotation. Bennett and Eder will be in Rochester's rotation

[Slateman]

Why is Bennett listed here? There's no way they don't try and keep him in the rotation, right? And I think they're still using Eder as a starter in the minors, so he might fit more in the starters to bullpen category.

I mean, the old regime was. Dunno if Eder stays a starter with Toboni in charge

[imref]

I think it's just the 40 man roster pitchers less the 5 or so guys who will be in the rotation. Bennett and Eder will be in Rochester's rotation

yeah, i just listed the 40 man and pulled out the guys likely to be in the rotation. Bennett is probably starting the year at AAA in their rotation.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

yeah, i just listed the 40 man and pulled out the guys likely to be in the rotation. Bennett is probably starting the year at AAA in their rotation.

Along these lines, how it looks so far, using Roster resource:

Clay Beeter: closer by default
PJ Poulin: lefty set up
Cole Henry: righty set up
Julian Fernandez: righty MR
Konnor Pilkington: lefty MR
Jackson Rutledge: low lev RHP / Mulit ionning RP
Orlando Ribalta: low lev RHP
Griff McGarry: low lev multi inning RHP

I'd say Parker and Lao are relief candidates among those below that Roster Resources is showing as Rochester starter candidates.
....
Rochester starters per RR:
Jake Eder (L)
Riley Cornelio (R) -
Andry Lara (R) -
Sauryn Lao (R) - I think he's a MLB bullpen candidate
Parker (L) - MLB bullpen candidate
Alvarez (L) in Rochester rotation.  I think Alvarez moves to the MLB rotation if Gore is traded.

RR has too many rotation pieces in Rochester among non-roster guys, including Ogasawara, Saenz, Shuman, and Luckham. If Alvarez, Lao, or Parker end up in MLB, some of these guys could start in AAA.

RR has Bennett starting in Harrisburg.

FWIW, here's Toidd Boss's / Nationals Arm Race's take:
https://www.nationalsarmrace.com/?p=19242

He speculates we will add some MLB/MiLB FAs to round out a few rotations.  Most of the promise is  at AA.

[HondoKillebrew]

well, they hit their targets in that cover. More appropriate for the Nats would have been them facing unwind and getting blowback

Or simply pissing away victories. 

[Slateman]

Or simply pissing away victories. 

By the time we get to the pen, the starter will have given up 5 runs

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Or simply pissing away victories. 

upwind. I can't stand having to check posts for autocorrect that changes words.

[imref]

https://www.federalbaseball.com/general/87862/why-clayton-beeter-prime-breakout-candidate-new-washington-nationals-coaching-staff

[imref]

Cole and Save?

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/sunday-notes-cole-henry-could-be-washingtons-next-tyler-clippard/

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Cole and Save?

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/sunday-notes-cole-henry-could-be-washingtons-next-tyler-clippard/

messed up the order of Soriano and Storen, but a nice read on what he's doing, how he got there, and some comps. Suggests he may be like Clippard and maintain a low BABIP in part due to the infield pop rate.

[Slateman]

Cole and Save?

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/sunday-notes-cole-henry-could-be-washingtons-next-tyler-clippard/

All that tells me is that Cole will never be anything other than a middling reliever

[JCA-CrystalCity]

All that tells me is that Cole will never be anything other than a middling reliever

are infield pop rates sustainable?

I don't quite get how guys can have high whiff rates with low K%. I get it  can be done, but I  would think it's rare. Henry has good stuff. The BB rate hurts, but he should have a higher K%

[JCA-CrystalCity]

speculation on the closer from MLBTR:
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/01/the-nationals-closer-options.html

Runs through Henry, Beeter, Pilkington / Poulin, Grissom, and Lord.

Notes Lord's velocity spike and success for a sustained stretch last year when he relieved. Discusses Grissom's success in the minors prior to his rough time in AAA last year. Says P & P likely would not  be considered to close barring an additional bullpen lefty.

[Slateman]

are infield pop rates sustainable?

I don't quite get how guys can have high whiff rates with low K%. I get it  can be done, but I  would think it's rare. Henry has good stuff. The BB rate hurts, but he should have a higher K%

Having to change your arm slot and no longer having any plus pitches isn't sustainable

[JCA-CrystalCity]

https://www.federalbaseball.com/washington-nationals-analysis/89241/a-pitch-usage-tweak-could-take-cole-henry-next-level

Discusses how Henry is using his cutter a lot more so far this spring (4% 2025 --> 20% this spring) and throwing it harder (2 MPH). Suggests this pitch will give him something to throw that's between his 4 seam fastball and his "sweeper" (still looks like a curve to me) for velocity.

There's also a nice video of him discussing how the new development and coaching team is giving the pitchers access to data that was not there before and encouraging the players to explore it.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

https://www.federalbaseball.com/washington-nationals-analysis/89284/washington-nationals-late-additions-to-the-bullpen-impressing-in-camp

Discusses Drew Smith and Cionel Perez. Suggests Perez is due for a bounceback this year due to absurd BABIP & low expected BA in 2025 provided he can get the BB rate down to a tolerable 10% from the 16% in 2025.  As for Smith, he has looked good if not quite at the same velo he had prior to his second TJS in 2024. May need some time in the minors to build up and manage his appearances.