Remember these bullpen guys? Hey, they tried

The numbers:

Cole Irvin - 3 G, 3 ²⁄₃ IP, 11 H, 7 R, 1 HR, 1 BB, 4 K, 17.18 ERA, 5.37 FIP
Reggie McClain - 5 G, 5 ¹⁄₃ IP, 9 H, 6 R (3 ER), 1 HR, 3 BB, 2 K, 5.06 ERA, 6.57 FIP
Deolis Guerra - 9 G, 7 ¹⁄₃ IP, 10 H, 9 R (7 ER), 3 HR, 2 BB, 3 K, 8.59 ERA, 7.96 FIP
Ramon Rosso - 7 G, (1 GS), 9 ²⁄₃ IP, 9 H, 7 R, 1 HR, 8 BB, 11 K, 6.52 ERA (5.05 FIP)

The good:

During this pandemic shortened season, we knew going in that teams were going to be tested. They went from lazing around at home to joining camp and getting into game shape in relatively short order. The amount of injuries, to pitchers especially, was going to be high since they didn’t have the usual spring training they needed to get ready for the grind of a regular season. So teams were going to have to stock themselves with depth. The hope was that that depth wouldn’t be needed, but if it was, it would be good enough that it would help put the team into position to win.

These guys, when called upon, gave the team depth.

That’s the good thing they did.

The bad:

Remember that part where I said the teams hoped the depth would be decent?

Well...

We’ve known for a while that Irvin was sub-replacement level as a major league pitcher. His number was only called because at some point, the team needed somebody to throw pitches. The same goes for Guerra and McClain. The aren’t good enough to take up roster spots and that showed once they actually had to face major league hitters again. McClain, previously, had the excuse that perhaps his struggles prior to coming to Philadelphia could be explained by the Astros stealing his signs and knowing what was coming. His time with the Phillies proved: that ain’t it.

Rosso was forced into starting a part of a doubleheader for which he was ill prepared. Another victime of a lack of a minor league season, Rosso showed that he just wasn’t ready for primetime.

The future:

Deolis Guerra was released as the season wore on. That book is closed.

Irvin and McClain will more than likely be moving along as well, though with options remaining, Irvin could find himself back in the minor leagues in case of emergency. McClain could as well, but he just seems likely to be moving on. Depth being an issue with this team, you never know.

Rosso is an interesting case. He desperately needs a minor league season. The stuff to become even an average relief pitcher is there; he just needs the reps. If we’re talking about the future, Rosso is definitely a part of it moving forward. It’ll be up to his coaches and what they can coax out of his development how big that part is.