Rangers relievers are bucking the big arm trend with excellent results

When talking about the Texas Rangers' bullpen, the focus has been on the backend and lack of options there for most of the season. However, it's worth pointing out that while the unit has taken its fair share of blame for struggles that should have mostly been put on the offense, the group is bucking a big trend. They have one of the lowest average velocities in the big leagues. And yet, they've been among the most effective.

Hoby Milner is just one of the examples of someone who doesn't have a "big arm" in an era where every team is looking for guys that throw 95, 96, 97, 98, or 99 miles per hour or more. Despite usually topping out at 90 MPH, Milner has been a bargain signing from this winter. Signed to a one-year deal at $2.5 million, he's posted a 2.24 ERA while striking out just 49 in 56 innings pitched.

Texas Rangers getting the job done without a ton of fireball arms

In all, Texas Rangers relievers have combined to throw the slowest-average fastball in baseball at 92.5 mph this season. Despite that, batters hit just .224 against Texas bullpen fastballs, the third-lowest mark in baseball, and have posted a league-worst .305 on base percentage vs. the pitch. Their 25.4 fastball runs above average metric, according to FanGraphs, is the best among all American League bullpens.

"Velocity is just one aspect of what makes pitchers successful," Rangers president of baseball operations Chris Young told the Dallas Morning News. "There’s certainly a correlation with good velocity and success, at times, but there are other metrics that are equally important that we look at."

The Rangers had to build their bullpen from scratch this winter and had to do it in a way where they weren't doling out a ton of big contracts. The same could be said about the way they added at the deadline. And again, Texas didn't acquire fireballers.

Phil Maton's average fastball velocity is just 89.5 MPH. Yet, he limits average exit velocity right at a league-best percentile. The same can be said for Danny Coulombe, who has an average fastball velocity that is pulling the bullpen's average down with its 90.4 MPH.

Maton has allowed just 1 hit and zero runs (and a save) in 3 innings since coming to the Rangers. Coulombe has zero runs allowed in 4 outings.

The Texas Rangers' offense continues to be a real problem, especially on the road. But any talk about the bullpen being a problem needs to be shelved this year, especially with how they've gotten things done.