Garrett Whitlock MLB's most underrated Reliever

Formerly a Rule 5 draft pick from the New York Yankees, Garrett Whitlock posted a 1.96 ERA in 46 games out of the bullpen in his rookie season in 2021. He received a 4-year contract extension worth $18.75 million along with two club options for 2027 and 2028 before the 2022 season. The Red Sox transitioned Whitlock to a swingman type option that could pitch out of the bullpen and the rotation, and the results were mixed, with a 4.01 ERA from 2022-2024, and he dealt with many hip and elbow injuries in that timeframe.

Photo Courtesy of The Boston Globe

Prior to the 2025 season, the Red Sox committed to having Garrett Whitlock as a reliever only. On May 13th, Whitlock had a 4.43 ERA, and his full-time transition to the bullpen looked murky. He now currently has a 2.67 ERA (Earned Run Average) along with an even better 2.44 FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching). He has a K% of 29.7, 90th percentile according to Statcast, along with a Chase% of 33.0, 92nd percentile according to Statcast. The slider has been an amazing pitch for him this season, holding hitters to a .139 batting average and 7.5 more inches of vertical movement than average. He throws the pitch 28.0% of the time, which is his second most used pitch behind his sinker.

Whitlock has been an outstanding setup man behind consensus American League reliever of the year award favorite Aroldis Chapman. The Red Sox have reaped the benefits of his strong performance this season and his past seasons of solid production considering he was a Rule 5 pick.

• https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/savant-player/garrett-whitlock-676477?stats=statcast-r-pitching-mlb

• https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/whitlga01.shtml

• https://www.fangraphs.com/players/garrett-whitlock/20191/stats?position=P