After trading Ken Giles to the Astros last winter, there was little to be excited about for the Phillies’ 2016 bullpen. There was a competition for nearly every spot in the bullpen in spring training. With multiple minor-league options remaining, Hector Neris didn’t seem likely to make the roster.
Instead, Neris has been a part of the major-league club the entire season, and he hasn’t disappointed. Neris has dominated in 64.1 innings of relief this year, striking out 32.4% of opposing hitters. At the same time, opposing hitters have a mere .194 batting average, while Neris leaves 87.