Yankees: 3 insane stats that prove Chad Green is no longer reliable

The most frustrating aspect of the New York Yankees’ fan base is that nobody can ever be on the same page. If they’re amid an unforgivable slide, some will figure out a way to blindly defend those responsible for the losing. If they’re on an incredible winning streak, others will find a way to bring down the mood.

But this is the life we chose. Endless arguments. Stubbornness. No direction.

In the case of Chad Green, it’s somewhat similar. The reliever has been on an unforgivable run of poor play. He’s allowed the most home runs in the league of ANY reliever since the start of 2020. Yet, some will point to the fact he’s gotten “unlucky” or that manager Aaron Boone is “overusing” him.

Both of those things can be true … but only to an extent. Green’s start to the season was incredible … but, if we are to nitpick, he really blew it in just about all of his tough assignments. He coughed up games against the Blue Jays and Astros, and couldn’t get the job done once against the Orioles.

There was just never a point in time where you were blown away by a Green appearance. Sure, he’s managed to get the job done more times than not, but when he doesn’t, it’s catastrophic. It’s demoralizing. You can’t unsee it.

If you want to characterize Green’s 2021 season as “unlucky,” then, well, he’s been unlucky for almost the entirety of it, which seems statistically impossible. If you want to chalk it up to “overusage,” well, none of his shortcomings just started randomly appearing in August and September. They’ve always been there. You just weren’t paying enough attention.

Here are three stats that prove Yankees reliever Chad Green is no longer reliable.

3. 8 HRs and 24 runs allowed in “high-leverage” situations

Green has appeared in 49 games that were deemed “high-leverage” situations. The term speaks for itself. Pressure. Game likely on the line in some way, shape or form. You’re going to your most reliable arms.

In those appearances, Green given up eight home runs (he’s allowed 14 total on the year). Break that down further, and you’ll notice he’s allowed a long ball 16% of the time. Even worse? He’s allowed 24 runs! His overall numbers might be good, but these are no longer the statistics of a late-innings reliever. And we’re not sure how it can be defended!

Gleyber Torres certainly did Green no favors on Wednesday night against the Orioles with his costly defensive gaffe … but then again, all Green had to do was … not give up the go-ahead home run to Austin Hays on an 0-2 count with two outs.

That was the tipping point, even though the Yankees won. This is no longer tenable.

1. Opponents have 1.566 OPS on balls hit to the outfield

Who’s hitting against Chad Green every night? Barry Bonds? The stats keep getting worse and we’re not sure how.

In total, on balls hit to the outfield, opponents have a 1.566 OPS against Green. On fly balls, it’s 1.008. On line drives it’s 1.417. And it’s not like Green is known for being a ground ball pitcher!

You might say some of this is unlucky, and you’d be right, but like we said, it can’t all be. He’s allowed 14 home runs. He’s in the bottom percentile of pitchers for maximum exit velocity, barrel percentage and hard hit percentage. Yup, at some point the “bad luck” excuse loses steam and it’s just … bad.

Green’s done a lot for the Yankees during his time in the Bronx and he can still salvage a role with the current team if Boone utilizes him properly. At this point, he needs to be a multi-inning fireman option way earlier in games so he can regain his confidence and avoid the latter innings.

This is feeling a whole lot like 2020 Adam Ottavino and we really don’t like it.

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