LA Angels: Grading the 2021 bullpen

Sep 26, 2021; Anaheim, California, USA;  Los Angeles Angels pitcher Austin Warren (61) throws a
Sep 26, 2021; Anaheim, California, USA; Los Angeles Angels pitcher Austin Warren (61) throws a | Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports
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Jose Quijada, LA Angels
Sep 29, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Jose Quijada (65) throws a | Andrew Dieb-USA TODAY Sports

Grading the LA Angels 2021 bullpen: The bad

No. 6 2021 bullpen pitcher for the LA Angels: Andrew Wantz--D

Andrew Wantz didn't have an ugly rookie year for the LA Angels, but it certainly was a below-average season from Wantz. Wantz posted a 4.94 ERA, a 91 ERA+, and a 4.30 FIP. That sounds ugly, but it's necessary to go a bit deeper than that with Wantz.

He also struck out 12.5 batters per nine innings, which is far from ugly. His 1.244 WHIP wasn't particularly 'good,' but it also certainly wasn't ugly. Wantz was in that second tier of Angels core bullpen pitchers this season.

No. 5 2021 bullpen pitcher for the LA Angels: Jose Quijada--D

Jose Quijada was a similar type of pitcher for the LA Angels in which he gave up too many runs, but some of his other numbers did look good. He had a lackluster 4.56 ERA, as well as a disappointing 5.3 BB/9 rate. That being said, he struck out 13.3 batters per nine frames, and recorded a 3.09 FIP.

We can work with what Quijada gave us this season. I'm not making any excuses for his sub-par season, but the 26-year-old could've been worse and has potential. He showed improvement this season.

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