Grading the first half of each Angels reliever

The bullpen was supposed to be where the Los Angeles Angels struggled in 2023. The starting rotation was great last year and appeared to be better on paper. That hasn't been the case at all. The lineup appeared to be much better as well. That has been the case, but the Angels offense has been inconsistent all season long.

The bullpen started out poorly, but once Ryan Tepera was DFA'd and the Angels focused on adding more youth and velocity, it's really turned around. Thanks to an all-star closer, some rookies, and minor league signings, the Angels bullpen has been much better than expected.

Like we did with the starting pitchers, we're going to grade the first halves of each Angels reliever with at least 14 innings pitched.

LA Angels relief pitcher first half grade: Carlos Estevez

Boy, has Carlos Estevez been anything you could've possibly hoped for or what? The former Rockie came to Anaheim with some questions as he had never been a closer before in his career and struggled mightily in Spring Training.

He's quieted each and every critic he had, with one of the best halves an Angels reliever has ever had. 1.80 ERA in 36 appearances and 35 innings pitched. 29.3% K-rate, only three home runs allowed, and a perfect 21-for-21 in his save opportunities. He has the Angels record for consecutive saves to begin a season, and has the chance to add on to it in the second half.

The year after the Angels signed two expensive relievers and saw both of their performances drop off, it's been nice to see them sign one who's breaking out wearing Angels red. He's been one of the stars of the team, and was a very deserving American League all-star.

Grade: A+

LA Angels relief pitcher first half grade: Chris Devenski

The Angels signed Chris Devenski on a minor league deal because of his success in Houston, but that success came back in 2017 when he was an all-star. He had a pretty decent 2018, but since that season, he had a 6.06 ERA in 86 appearances entering this season. I don't know if it's just playing for his hometown team or what, but Devenski has saved his career with this season's performance.

In 28 appearances he has a 3.82 ERA in 33 innings of work. He's been great stranding inherited runners, and was at one point the eighth inning man working in front of Carlos Estevez. Some struggles lately should be ending that, but relative to expectations, he's been awesome. Being second on the team in appearances as a guy called up in late-April as a minor league signing is impressive.

Grade: B+

Tucker Davidson made the roster in large part because he's out of options, and has been one of only a few relievers to stay on the team for the entire season. Based on his performance, I'd assume the options have something to do with that as well.

Davidson has a 6.82 ERA in 17 appearances. He's been the long reliever all season and has just about done what he's always done in his career.

The southpaw actually started the season off pretty well, pitching four scoreless innings in Oakland in his debut, and posting an ERA of 2.40 in the month of April.

Since May 1st, Davidson has an 11.15 ERA in just 11 appearances and 15.1 innings pitched, and has made games in which starting pitchers have had to leave early, get completely out of reach. He's allowed at least two earned runs five times in those appearances, not great.

Considering the fact that he's made five appearances since the calendar flipped to June, it's safe to say Davidson lasting the entire season is unlikely.

Grade: D+

LA Angels relief pitcher first half grade: Jaime Barria

Jaime Barria has moved back and forth from the rotation to the bullpen. While his rotation results have been a bit of a mixed bag, he's been as lockdown of a reliever not named Carlos Estevez as the Angels have had.

In 12 appearances as a reliever, he has a 1.67 ERA in 27 innings pitched. That ERA has been inflated greatly from when he allowed four runs in his season debut out of the bullpen. He's allowed just one earned run in relief since then.

He's been effective as a mop-up man and has even set up some games, giving Phil Nevin length late. His three innings in relief in Kansas City after being skipped from the rotation to help the Angels win a much-needed game with the rest of the bullpen exhausted was awesome to witness. Credit to him for stepping up in whatever role Phil Nevin asks him to fill and doing his job.

Grade: A

LA Angels relief pitcher first half grade: Andrew Wantz

After a really good season in 2022 and a really solid Spring Training, Andrew Wantz made the Angels Opening Day roster. He got off to a really good start, not allowing an earned run through his first 6 appearances and 10 innings pitched.

As one of only a couple of relievers with options, Wantz was sent down to the minors unjustifiably, and since that happened he hasn't been the same guy. In his five appearances since May 13, he's allowed 11 runs in 8.1 innings of work. He also had some trouble stranding inherited runners. He's made just one MLB appearance since the calendar turned to June, as he's been pitching in the minors. The start was good, but everything since has been brutal.

Grade: C-

LA Angels relief pitcher first half grade: Jacob Webb

Much like Chris Devenski, Jacob Webb was a minor league signing that has turned from a guy with relatively no expectations to one of the Angels most reliable relievers this season.

He has a 2.49 ERA in 20 appearances and 21.2 innings pitched. He's been a guy Phil Nevin can call upon in just about any situation and expect to get the job done. He's allowed runs in just four of his 20 outings. Again, there's just not much more you could've asked for from a minor league free agent.

Grade: A

LA Angels relief pitcher first half grade: Chase Silseth

Chase Silseth was called up in a surprise move to try and fortify the bullpen. The Halos had been developing him as a starter only to suddenly change course and see what he can provide out of the bullpen. It started off well, but didn't finish the way they had hoped.

Through his first three appearances, Silseth had five hitless innings in which he showcased some increased velocity and impressive results. Silseth then had to throw 73 pitches out of nowhere because of the ineffectiveness of Jose Suarez, and was asked to replace Suarez in the rotation a week later. Both of those appearances didn't go well.

Since reverting back to the bullpen again, the results were different. The velocity wasn't quite as high, and he allowed four runs in his seven innings across four appearances. The Angels finally sent him back down to AAA to stretch back out as a starter where they will hopefully not change courses again.

Grade: C

LA Angels relief pitcher first half grade: Sam Bachman

Sam Bachman was a surprise call-up as he had rough numbers for AA Rocket City as a starter but came up as a reliever and has for the most part been extremely sharp.

He has a 3.18 ERA in 11 appearances and 17 innings pitched. He walks way too many batters which is an issue, but it hasn't been exposed because he's yet to allow a home run. He's been used as both a long reliever and as a high-leverage arm which for a 23-year-old drafted just two years ago is impressive in its own right. He's struggled a bit of late, but has exceeded my expectations.

Grade: B+

LA Angels relief pitcher first half grade: Jimmy Herget

After being the best reliever the Angels had last season, Herget made the team no questions asked. He opened the season as one of the set-up men for the Angels, but some struggles caused him to be sent down in mid-April. His 6.23 ERA wasn't the best sight to look at.

Since then, Herget has pitched better when he's gotten his chances, but as a reliever with options those chances have been few and far in between. Overall, with how good he was last season and how poorly he started this season, it's been a disappointing year for the veteran right-hander.

Grade: C

LA Angels relief pitcher first half grade: Jose Soriano

Much like Sam Bachman, Soriano's promotion was a bit of a surprise. The Angels called up a large portion of Rocket City's bullpen and when things were going well in June, they were a huge reason why.

Soriano has a 3.21 ERA in 12 appearances and 14 innings pitched. Walks have been an issue for him as well, but he's allowed just one home run and only seven hits. Soriano also has a whopping 23 strikeouts in just 14 innings of work. He didn't allow a run through his first six appearances and seven innings and has worked his way into some high-leverage late-game opportunities.

Grade: A-