Diamondbacks Bullpen Strategy: Shorter Outings Lead MLB in Pitches Thrown

The Arizona Diamondbacks are showcasing an intriguing trend in their bullpen usage this month, one that could redefine how they approach late-game situations. Remarkably, none of their relievers have thrown as many as twenty pitches in a game throughout May, a statistic that stands out in stark contrast to league norms. Excluding Brandon Pfaadt for specific reasons, the last time an Arizona reliever exceeded the twenty-pitch threshold was on April 30, when Philip Abner and James McCann each delivered 34 and 24 pitches, respectively.

In fact, Taylor Clarke’s recent outings have averaged just 8.8 pitches, while Juan Morillo has dipped even lower, averaging eight pitches per appearance over his last five outings. Overall, the D-backs bullpen has thrown a total of 681 pitches this month, the fewest in Major League Baseball by a significant margin. This figure is 245 pitches shy of the 29th-ranked Atlanta Braves, indicating a stark disparity in bullpen workload.

The average relief appearance for Arizona in May has lasted a mere 13.35 pitches, a notable decline from the 16.89 pitches per game in April, and even further down from last season’s average of 18.94 pitches. Unlike the Diamondbacks, the league at large has seen an increase in average pitches per game, rising from 18.55 to 19.50. This raises questions about the D-backs’ strategy: Is it a conscious decision to limit pitch counts, or a reaction to the starting rotation’s performance?

With starters throwing 112 innings this month—the highest in the majors despite playing one game fewer than other teams—the D-backs may be able to afford a more aggressive approach to their bullpen. Fewer outs needed might justify shorter outings for relievers, allowing the team to rotate through their bullpen more efficiently. However, it also prompts speculation about whether this strategy is aimed at protecting pitchers’ arms from excessive strain, potentially a response to the wear and tear seen in longer outings. As this trend unfolds, it will be fascinating to observe its impact on the team and its pitchers moving forward.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.