Yankees Midseason Report Card: Bullpen

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Jun 30, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman (54) pitches against the Texas Rangers during the ninth inning at Yankee Stadium. Yankees won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

First up, Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman

Since returning from a 30 game domestic violence suspension on May 9th, Aroldis Chapman has been everything the Yankees could have hoped for when they acquired him this winter. He has struck out 33 in 22 innings of work this season, or 37.9% of the batters he’s faced. Even more impressively, he has walked just four in his 24 appearances.

He’s been worth almost a full win by himself in his limited time with the club by fWAR (0.9). Adding him to the Yankees already dominant duo of late inning relievers has transformed the team’s pen into a historically good unit.

Coming into Tuesday, Yankees relievers lead the major leagues in strikeouts per nine innings with 11.14 K/9, and place in the top three by walks per nine (2.32 BB/9), FIP (3.58), fWAR (4.2). They also pace all MLB clubs with a 3.12 xFIP.

While his on field performance probably warrants an A grade, the fact that he missed so much time and the controversy he generated has to knock him down a notch. Many fans still would rather see Chapman shipped out of town as soon as possible rather than have to deal with the ambivalence of having to cheer for an alleged domestic abuser.

Midseason Grade: B

Next: The Yankees' Lone 2016 All Star?

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