Young Nationals Reliever Could Be Closer of the Future

The Washington Nationals bullpen has found a surprising boost in the second half of the season, courtesy of 24-year-old left-hander Jose A. Ferrer. After missing the first half with a shoulder injury, Ferrer has burst onto the scene, rapidly ascending the bullpen hierarchy to become a trusted asset in high-leverage situations. His success can be attributed to strategic adjustments to his pitching arsenal, transforming him into a formidable force.

Jose A. Ferrer Continues to Show Closer Potential

Ferrer Becoming a Sinkerballer

After featuring a four-seam fastball in 2023, Ferrer has added a sinker to his mix in 2024. He has been leaning on the pitch, throwing it 58.2 percent of the time. While hitters are batting .274 against the pitch, they are not doing damage. Only 1 of the 17 hits he has allowed on the sinker have gone for extra bases. He is generating a ton of ground balls, with an elite 58.2 GB%. Ferrer’s sinker averages 98 MPH, which makes it very challenging for hitters to elevate the pitch. His fastball velocity is up 2.5 MPH from 2023. In addition to the fastball, Ferrer throws a nasty changeup, with a 39.4 whiff percentage. He also has a slider that he is underutilizing. Ferrer throws the pitch only 5.6% of the time, but he has four strikeouts on the pitch and an 83.3 whiff percentage. Like Robert Garcia, Ferrer throws the slider to lefties and the changeup to righties.

These changes have led to Ferrer recording a 3.51 ERA in 26 games. However, the underlying numbers suggest the best is yet to come. He has a 2.35 FIP, and a 2.76 xERA. This is due to some bad luck on balls in play. He has also been much better recently, with a 1.13 ERA in his last 15 appearances.

Ferrer Moving Up

After a lengthy stint on the injured list, Ferrer’s return to the Nationals bullpen was met with caution. Initially relegated to low-leverage roles, he showed predictable rust in his first few outings, struggling to find his rhythm. However, over his last 15 games, Ferrer has been virtually unhittable, transforming into a dominant force. Manager Davey Martinez has taken notice of Ferrer’s resurgence, gradually entrusting him with more critical situations. The 24-year-old left-hander has seized the opportunities, cementing his status as the Nationals’ primary setup man behind closer Kyle Finnegan.

The culmination of Ferrer’s impressive run came on Sunday when he earned his first career save against the Miami Marlins. This milestone marked a pivotal moment in his growth, solidifying his position in the bullpen hierarchy.

Ferrer’s impressive ascent in the Nationals’ bullpen has sparked whispers of a potential future closer. When operating at peak level, Ferrer’s profile draws comparisons to the legendary Zack Britton, thanks to his devastating power sinker. This pitch, affectionately dubbed a “bowling ball sinker,” has become his signature weapon.

Ferrer’s ground-ball-heavy approach defies conventional wisdom in today’s strikeout-obsessed era. Rather than relying on swing-and-miss stuff, he induces weak contact, rendering hitters powerless.

Future of the Nationals Bullpen

Despite having a young roster, the Nationals bullpen is veteran-heavy. Kyle Finnegan, Derek Law, and Jacob Barnes are all in their mid-30s. They are all options for 2025, but not beyond that. Ferrer, and fellow lefty Robert Garcia are the two younger relievers who have established themselves. Beyond that, the bullpen is a question mark. There are always plenty of bullpen arms in free agency, which GM Mike Rizzo will explore. He also needs to evaluate other internal options. However, having a young power arm like Ferrer is a good foundation for the bullpen for years to come.

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