The Los Angeles Angels' Surprising Bullpen Stats from 2024

Have the Angels put the "Blowpen" behind them heading into next season?

If Los Angeles Angels fans are excited about one thing, it’s probably the future core they’re working on developing, including the likes of Zach Neto, Logan O’Hoppe, and Nolan Schanuel. But, one area that can’t be overlooked is the potential bullpen the Halos could roll with in 2025. While Ben Joyce lit up the radar gun in 2024 and really found his way as a late-inning arm, beyond Joyce are a handful of names that might put the word “Blowpen” to rest for the Angels next season.

Yes, the Angels bullpen actually put up some surprising numbers in 2024, and could carry a similar performance into 2025. How did they get it done?

Ben Joyce hit 105.5 MPH this year, but he also proved to be the Angels closer of the future. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Where the Angels Bullpen Began 2024:

The Angels’ bullpen finished the 2024 season with a collective 3.99 ERA, the 16th best in all of baseball. But, it’s what came after June 15th that brings some surprising numbers that most might not realize.

Prior to that, the Angels relievers were ranked 29th in ERA across MLB, pitching to a 5.28 ERA.

And to Angels fans, it certainly felt like it.

Coming into the season, the Halos counted on arms like Matt Moore, Jose Cisnero, Adam Cimber, and Guillo Zuñiga. In many instances, they turned to José Suarez in long relief, also picking up and using Amir Garrett along the way.

But, it wasn’t until injuries or the DFAs came along that the Halos bullpen began to put it all together.

The June Turnaround:

From June 15th onward, the Halos’ bullpen pitched to a 3.15 ERA, ranking them as the third-best bullpen in MLB over that span.

How did they go from such an abysmal ranking to becoming one of the best relief cores in baseball?

It started with closer Carlos Estévez, who earned the American League Reliever of the Month in June, pitching 10 games and 10 innings, with 31 batters faced earning one win, eight saves, and 10 strikeouts while allowing two hits. Estévez was later part of a significant trade with the Philadelphia Phillies around the trade deadline, though his departure did not hinder the Halos’ bullpen, thanks to the emergence of Ben Joyce.

Joyce, for his part, threw 22.2 scoreless innings from June 14th to August 3rd, racking up 20 strikeouts while employing the use of his new “Splinker.” After Estévez and Luis García were traded, Joyce was given the opportunity to close, pitching until September 3rd before being shut down and going on the IL, pitching 11.1 innings, earning one win and four saves. Joyce finished the season 2-0 in 31 games, 34.2 innings pitched, and, according to Baseball Reference, a 203 ERA+, which compares a pitcher’s ERA to the rest of the league. This means Joyce was 103% better than the league-average pitcher (100 ERA+, park-adjusted).

Once the DFA of José Suarez took place and injuries claimed some of the other relievers, the Angels were free to turn to some arms that provided some real results out of the pen:

Hans Crouse emerged as a very reliable arm, pitching to the tune of a 2.84 ERA, going 4-3 in 25.1 innings pitched. Crouse finished the season with a 149 ERA+, meaning he was 49% better than league average.

Hunter Strickland found himself contemplating retirement before the 2024 season and did not pitch in the Majors in 2023. Coming to the Halos on a Minor League deal, Strickland became the veteran workhorse of the staff, tossing 73.1 innings across 72 games. During the entire month of July, Strickland gave up one earned run, and only one earned run in each of his last two appearances for the month of September. Strickland may have pitched himself into another job next season, perhaps with the Angels or another team, as he put up a 3.31 ERA and a 127 ERA+ in 2024.

Another surprise? José Marte, who’s been around the Angels for a bit now, seemed to really turn a corner from his previous appearances with the club. While he did land on the IL this season, Marte shined in his opportunity in 2024, throwing 19.1 innings, turning in a 2.33 ERA, and putting up a 183 ERA+, 83% better than league average.

The Late Arrivals:

Despite the writing being on the wall fairly early in the Angels’ season, some bright spots were added to the bullpen late in the year. Fans had hoped that Angels GM Perry Minasian would sell some pieces at the deadline, and in doing so, restock and replenish some sorely-needed prospects in the minor leagues.

Ryan Zeferjahn debuted with the Angels after coming over in the trade that sent Luis García to the Boston Red Sox, and he made the most of his time in the Majors. Across his 17 innings, Zeferjahn pitched to a 2.12 ERA and a 202 ERA+, 102% better than league average. From August 27th to September 18th, Zeferjahn threw 11.2 scoreless innings and held hitters to a .086 batting average. He finished the year only giving up four earned runs across his 17 innings.

Lefty Brock Burke was claimed off waivers from the Texas Rangers, where he put up a 9.22 ERA in 13 games. After 21 games with the Angels, Burke pitched to a 3.54 ERA and a 120 ERA+, and could surely be a Matt Moore replacement next season. Fittingly, Moore came to the Angels from the Rangers between 2022 and 2023.

Finally, Jose Quijada made his return from Tommy John surgery, which took place early into the 2023 season. While Quijada was beaten up a bit toward the end of the year due to his overreliance on his fastball, he had an 11 scoreless-inning stretch from August 14th to September 18th. His 19 innings of work resulted in a 3.26 ERA and a 131 ERA+, making his performance 31% better than league average. If Quijada develops another pitch over the offseason, his 2024 ending could make for a promising 2025.

Cautiously Optimistic:

There’s one rule that applies to all relief pitchers: relievers are volatile. One day, they’re locked in, and the next, they’re giving up the winning run. The best way to measure what a bullpen arm can do for a team is to look at their track record. There’s no estimating their forward progression, unless they’re elite Craig Kimbrel or Mariano Rivera. However, the potential for a strong bullpen is there with the Angels, but it’s up to players and coaches to figure out how to sustain that success in 2025. Having multiple pitchers with an ERA+ of 120 or above, including Ben Joyce and Ryan Zeferjahn who reached 203 and 202 respectively, is a great start to putting together a shutdown bullpen next season. Not to mention, there’s a plethora of arms in the minor leagues that have yet to make their way to the big club, ones who are also looking to impress and carve out a spot in the Angels 2025 bullpen.