Kansas City Royals: Ranking The Bullpen
Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Kelvin Herrera (40) – Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports
Yes, I have Kelvin Herrera as the fourth best reliever in the bullpen. Herrera hasn’t been bad by any means, but it’s hard to repeat the success he had as the seventh inning man in 2014 (1.47 ERA in 70 innings/games). Herrera didn’t give up a single home run last season and has given up two this season, so it’s nice to see that the guy is human (although if he doesn’t give up another home run, I’d be fine with that).
Herrera’s most memorable moment this season came against the Oakland Athletics in a series filled with benches clearing and almost fights.
We all know the story of Brett Lawrie sliding into Alcides Escobar, right? Well, after two retaliations took place, Herrera ended it by throwing a 100 MPH fastball behind Lawrie’s head when he was up to bat in the seventh inning.
Herrera hasn’t been bad by any means, but it’s hard to repeat the success he had as the seventh inning man in 2014 (1.47 ERA in 70 innings/games).
Herrera was immediately kicked out of the game, and Franklin Morales took the mound in Herrera’s absence. It was one of those moments where it was tough to say which side you were on. On the one hand, Herrera was standing up for his guys (Escobar and Lorenzo Cain, who had been beaned by Scott Kazmir in the first inning, causing the second round of retaliations).
On the other hand though, the Royals were still trailing at that moment and needed Herrera to come in and do his job and get out of the inning without further damage. The Royals did go on to win that game, but we didn’t know that’d happen at that moment. Herrera went on to serve a six-game suspension due to his behavior.
Herrera’s most recent outing was against the Minnesota Twins. He pitched one inning and allowed one hit with no runs scored. He also struck out one batter.
Highlight of 2015 season so far: Herrera has mostly had good games, but I’ll go with a recent appearance. Herrera pitched one inning against the Mariners, where he struck out two batters without allowing a hit. That’s usually the type of Herrera we see.
Lowlight of 2015 season so far: Herrera’s worst appearance came earlier on in the season when the Royals were in Chicago (against both Chicago teams actually). In a game against the Cubs, Herrera gave up a two-run shot that put the Royals behind. Luckily a Cubs error allowed the Royals to win that game, but it was the first home run Herrera had given up in over a year so it was a strange sight to see.
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