The Braves’ bullpen has excelled (you read that correctly) with a chorus of veterans who weren’t even down in Disney this spring.
Anthony Swarzak, acquired via trade in May, has been the best reliever. Josh Tomlin, scooped up just before opening day, has been the go-to long-reliever. Jerry Blevins, another in-season addition, has been pivotal on and off the field.
Jacob Webb has been outstanding, though the team didn’t project him to be an important cog in February. Luke Jackson has exceeded expectations and holds down the closer role; even if the team adds a closer or pivots to someone else, what Jackson has provided has been instrumental. Touki Toussaint and Sean Newcomb are a pair of starters-turned-relievers.
The Braves have cultivated an environment conducive to winning. That’s the consensus among players when asked how the organization seems to maximize its fliers on veterans and youngsters alike, especially in the bullpen.
“It’s just a great collection of good personalities and guys who just want to win,” said Blevins, a 13-year veteran on his fourth team. “There’s not a lot of ego in the bullpen. We all just want to do well for each other. We all just want to win. Whenever you’re called upon, whenever you’re put in a group like that, it’s easy to get along.”
Blevins has seen bullpens with egos, where big names and talented younger arms jockey over innings. But here, he says, no one’s feelings are hurt. The Braves promote a selfless environment and their players recognize, as he puts it, “a chance to do something special.”
This was the case last season, when Anibal Sanchez, Charlie Culberson, even Ryan Flaherty for a month outperformed expectations, all while developing one of baseball’s more tantalizing group of prospects. It culminated in 90 wins and a division title, neither of which was really conceivable in the spring.
Swarzak, before going on the injured list over the weekend, had a 0.52 ERA in 17 appearances. Webb has a 1.32 ERA in 32 games. Tomlin has produced a 3.91 mark in 30 games. Blevins, in the minors before joining the Braves, has found a spot as a lefty specialist and senior voice.
When asked what makes the Braves capable of extracting the most from their players, Blevins had an immediate answer.
“First of all, it’s the level of talent here,” Blevins said. “From the young guys to veteran guys, we just have some really, really good ballplayers. Second, but not less important, is personalities. You have really young guys who understand they’re going to be called upon for us to succeed. They’ve stepped into that role. You have veteran guys willing to sacrifice playing time or take a backseat in certain instances. It’s just a collection of good coaching, good players, great personalities and a winning environment.”
Swarzak has perhaps benefited most from the atmosphere. He and Blevins were teammates on last year’s Mets, with whom Swarzak signed a two-year, $14 million deal in the past winter. The Mets dealt him to Seattle in the offseason. The Mariners traded him to the Braves in May.
He seems to have found a home. Swarzak, 33, is revitalized. He’s expected to return from the injured list when the Braves open the second half in San Diego, and he’s certainly looking forward to it.
“It’s been quite the experience for everybody,” Swarzak said. “My family, for me, the team. We’re winning. Pitching in those big moments are fun. I want to keep doing that, especially for this team. Playing for the Atlanta Braves has really made baseball fun again for me. It’s made baseball fun again for my family. There’s something special going on here and I really want to stay a part of it.”
Blevins noticed similar in Swarzak. He said he sees a player who is having a lot more fun and enjoying coming to the ballpark every day. He hasn’t needed the same boost, but Blevins understands where Swarzak was coming from.
And he believes the rest of the team recognizes it, too.
“I find it easy to come to the ballpark every day no matter where I’m at,” Blevins said. “I’ve enjoyed my time and appreciate the opportunity I’ve had at all my other stops. But here it’s just a really fun group of guys. It’s a special environment. Everyone recognizes that. So I understand what (Swarzak) says and what he means. It really is fun. We have a fun team.”
