Bard and Feliz: The Tale of Two Relievers Turned Starters

Major League Baseball teams always debate whether or not their top prospects should be starting pitchers or relievers. They like to make that decision before they reach the majors, but that doesn't always happen. When Daniel Bard and Neftali Feliz came up to the majors both were sent to their respective bullpens. Bard achieved some success and Feliz did very well as the Texas Rangers' closer. However, both the Boston Red Sox and the Rangers decided to turn their young bullpen guns into starters this year. Interestingly enough, they both made their season debuts tonight.

Bard made his first start for the Red Sox since 2007 at Rogers Centre. The Blue Jays hitters got to him early and finally drove him from the game in the sixth inning. He gave up five runs on eight hits, while walking one batter and striking out six. Bard struggled with control as he left too many pitches over the plate. The Red Sox claim they are committed to him remaining in the rotation, but the questions are going to be raised as he continues to struggle and the bullpen keeps imploding. Bard's got a great changeup, but control is going to be crucial to any success he hopes to have. Right now, the Red Sox are going to keep one eye on Bard and his maturation as a starter, while the other remains on their struggling bullpen.

Feliz may have been the more surprising move to the rotation. After all, he won the 2010 AL Rookie of the Year, was an All-Star selection the same year, and had a combined 72 saves his first two seasons as the Rangers' closer. I guess the old saying if it ain't broke don't fix it, doesn't count in baseball. Feliz made the Rangers look brilliant in his first start tonight. He pitched seven scoreless innings, giving up only four hits and two walks while striking out four. Feliz kept the Seattle Mariners hitters off balance all night. His mix of pitches between his off-speed stuff, his changeup and slider, and his fastball was excellent. The start was against the Mariners, but still was impressive nonetheless. It will be interesting to see how the Rangers monitor his innings the rest of the season.