Philadelphia Phillies: Projecting the Opening Day 26 man roster

Who makes the Philadelphia Phillies bullpen in 2021?

The Phillies bullpen was bad on a historic level with a 7.06 ERA during the shortened 2020 season. Club President Dave Dombrowski came in and revamped the ‘pen by signing Archie Bradley, making multiple trade, and signing veterans to try-out contracts that could pay off big time.

Jose Alverado, Hector Neris, Archie Bradley, Connor Brogdon, David Hale, Brandon Kintzler, JoJo Romero, Tony Watson

If the Phillies bullpen goes this way, they will have to add Kintzler and Watson, two proven veterans, to the 40-man roster. Both have played their way onto the team and deserve a shot at helping the Phillies overcome their 2020 bullpen woes.

Alverado, Neris, and Bradley are currently the only three locks to make the bullpen given both their track records and early success this year. Alverado was a complete wild card coming into camp with a nasty arsenal that he’s been able to hone in this spring.

Neris is always an adventure and might fare better outside of the closer role, but when he’s on he can be one of the better late-inning relievers in the game.

As one of the league’s better relievers, Bradley brings consistency and a unique personality to the bullpen. He’s a candidate to be the team’s set-up man with the potential to close if needed.

A lot of options come into play after you get Watson, Kintzler, Neris, Alverado, and Bradley penciled into the bullpen. Joe Girardi has said he wants eight relievers and there’s been a ton of competition in camp.

Connor Brogdon opened a lot of eyes last year in his second run with the team, allowing no runs and one hit with 14 strikeouts in six appearances. He’s earned a spot on the team and the Phillies need young pitchers to step up. They haven’t developed a standout reliever since Ken Giles, and Brogdon has the opportunity to be even better than “100 Miles Giles” was.

If Velasquez is healthy, he gets one of those final three spots. However, that oblique injury could cost him time and leave the door open for someone else. I’ve also penciled Howard into the Triple-A rotation, so there remains two spots left in the bullpen.

JoJo Romero, like Brogdon, opened a lot of eyes last year and is a young arm the team has been able to develop for the back of the bullpen. He had three rough games in September last year, but as a lefty out of the bullpen he brings some nasty pitches that could make him a quality seventh or eighth inning guy.

Since he is young and has minor league options left, the Phillies could keep Romero in Triple-A and save his bullets for late in the season, but he’s exciting and electrifying out of the pen.

I’ve given the final spot to David Hale over guys like Ramon Rosso, Hector Rondon, Sam Coonrod, and Ranger Suarez. Rondon’s fastball velocity has dropped and adding him to the 40-man will be difficult. Coonrod, who is on the 40-man, has minor league options and is probably the odd-man-out in this final roster spot call.

Hale has quietly been impressive this spring and enters the season as a long-man for the Phillies bullpen. He’s got a 1.42 ERA with six strikeouts this spring and is also already on the 40-man roster.