RADIO
Welcome back RotoBallers to the end of our second round of 2016 fantasy baseball rankings. We'll take a look at relief pitching in this final segment, from closers to holders.
Saves are always a volatile category for fantasy owners, with the selection after the first few tiers leaving much to be desired in either performance or job security. But that doesn't mean there isn't value to be found. Think of Brad Boxberger and his AL-leading 41 saves, Jeurys Familia, Luke Gregerson, Hector Rondon, Shawn Tolleson. These players were available for cents on the dollar on draft day and were all valuable pieces to any winning roster.
This round of rankings features seven of our experts. They are Brad Johnson, Max Petrie, Kyle Bishop, Harris Yudin, Jeff Kahntroff, Bill Dubiel, and Nick Mariano. Assume a standard 5x5 redraft league when reading. And don't forget to also check out our 2016 fantasy baseball rankings dashboard. In case you missed it, we've been churning out dynasty rankings, keeper values, and top MLB prospect rankings for the 2016 fantasy baseball season. Let's get to it.
2016 Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Relief Pitching
Tier One
You know what you're getting with this quartet, and so will your auction budget on draft day. Wade Davis led all relievers in ERA (0.94) and BAA (.143). His fastball did most of the work - it ranked as the third among relievers. Aroldis Chapman led all relievers with a 15.79 K/9 rate and now joins a loaded Yankee bullpen. How stacked you ask? Andrew Miller and Dellin Betances finished second and third in K/9 behind Chapman. The Yankees should have no problem getting Chapman the ball with a lead. Kenley Jansen was dominant after returning from injury; his 36.0% K-BB% and 0.78 WHIP led all relievers.
Tier Two
I was this close to placing Britton in Tier One. He led all relievers in xFIP (1.75), GB rate (79.1%), and soft contact (34.0%). My concern is save opportunities from Britton in 2016 considering the Orioles inability to build a strong rotation.
Trevor Rosenthal secured 48 saves in 2015 (2nd among RP) despite of a .337 BABIP. Look for Rosenthal to have another great year.
Familia was a great example of not paying for saves. Ranking closer to 20th in 2015, he finished third in saves (43) and seventh in ERA (1.85) among RP. Ken Giles finished sixth in ERA (1.80) and will have a full-year in the closer role for a contending Astros squad. Don't let him slip in drafts.
Tier Three
Mark Melancon led all RP in saves (51) and his cutter graded out as the best among relievers. He has a 1.86 ERA over his last three seasons with Pittsburgh.
Cody Allen loves his curveball, and for good reason. He threw it 37.0% of the time (first among RP) and it was third best among relievers (first among closers).
David Robertson's 3.41 ERA isn't pretty at first glace, but a peek at his xFIP (2.27 - third among RP) hints that he was the victim of bad defense. He was one of two pitchers (Jansen) with a K/9 above 12.0 and a BB/9 below 2.0.
Glen Perkins 32 saves and low walk rate (1.58 BB/9) are appealing, but his 1.42 HR/9 was worst among current closers. I would much rather pay for the trio mentioned in this tier before Perkins.
Tier Four
Boxberger led the AL with 41 saves, but his high HR rate (1.29 HR/9) and BB% (11.8%) leave much to be desired. The one positive is Jake McGee is no longer a threat to claim the role.
Huston Street's 40 saves were fifth among RP, but he saw increases in his fly ball rate, HR/FB%, and hard contact. His slider is still nasty; his 8.2 wSL finished seventh among RP.
Rondon deserves more love than he's received to this point. His 1.10 ERA after the All-Star break led all closers. The Cubs are going to be competitive once again in 2016 and Rondon should be a lock for 30+ saves.
Miller is downright filthy, but the lack of a closing role hinders his value. Miller had the top performing slider for a reliever.
Tier Five
These rankings were submitted before the news broke that Carter Capps would compete for the closer role with A.J. Ramos, or they would likely be flipped. Ramos' issues with location (3.33 BB/9) may open the door for Capps. Hopefully we have a better understanding of the situation come draft day, but for now I'd target Capps. If Capps qualified, his 16.84 K/9 would have been tops among relievers while his 1.10 ERA was behind only Davis. If he becomes the closer, he launches to Tier Two.
K-Rod kept on trucking in 2015; he had 38 saves (T-7th among RP) while his changeup graded at 17.8 wCH and he threw it 42.0% of the time, both tops among relievers.
The same issue for Miller applies to Betances; excellent pitcher, no closer duties. Betances' 1.50 ERA was second among RP.
Jonathan Papelbon isn't going to win Teammate of the Year anytime soon, but he's still a viable closer. His fastball has diminished in the past few seasons and is closer to 91 than 94, which is why he's in Tier Four. Roberto Osuna was excellent serving as the Blue Jays closer, but the acquisition of Drew Storen hinders his value until roles are sorted out.
Tier Six
Brad Ziegler had 30 saves while throwing smoke and mirrors. His 4.76 K/9 was easily the lowest among closers. Jason Grilli should be ready by Spring Training after suffering a torn Achilles. He had 24 saves before the injury, although the Braves have not confirmed whether there will be an open competition with Arodys Vizcaino.
Tolleson is an intriguing closer to target later in your drafts. His 22 saves after the All-Star break were tops among relievers, and he'll have the role all season in Texas.
Santiago Casilla had 38 saves last season, but he probably raised your blood pressure in the process. His walk rate rose (3.57 BB/9) and his groundball rate plummeted ten points (46.5%). Tread carefully.
If Sean Doolittle's shoulder holds up, he has a great chance at 30 saves this year. He's a personal favorite that can be found in the bargain bin come draft day. Steve Cishek had a terrible first half with Miami but rebounded nicely in St. Louis (1.94 ERA in second half) and will open the season as Seattle's closer.
McGee was recently traded to Colorado for Corey Dickerson and is in line to compete for the closer role with Jason Motte. McGee has the tools to succeed in the closer role, but his low ground ball rate (38.9%) could spell trouble in the thin air of Coors. The trade happened after we submitted our rankings.
Tier Seven
David Hernandez will close for Philadelphia and has a heavy fastball that sits at 94 MPH. He needs to work on the long balls (1.60 HR/9) if he's going to survive in the bandbox that is Citizens Bank Park.
Will Smith will close in Milwaukee, but I would look elsewhere; his 37.2% hard contact rate was worst among relievers. Hoover will probably replace Chapman in Cincinatti, but his questionable control (11.8% BB rate) makes it difficult to trust him. Darren O'Day would replace Zach Britton should an injury occur, a role he would succeed in. His 1.52 ERA was third among relievers.
Kelvin Herrera continues to be an X-factor in the Royals bullpen. His 98.1 mph fastball was second behind only Chapman. Herrera would become a must-own if Davis suffered an injury. Gregerson's 42.0% O-Swing% led all relievers, although his value takes a hit with Giles' arrival. He'd be the next man up in Houston.
Tier Eight
Nothing to see here for closer duties, but there's plenty of handcuffs to consider. I mentioned Hoover in the previous paragraph closing for the Reds, but Jumbo Diaz profiles better for the role. His 97 mph heater was equal to Craig Kimbrel's fastball. Another hard thrower is Hunter Strickland. He posted the best results with his fastball while his 0.86 WHIP was tied for third. He's the closer in waiting for San Francisco.
Cishek is expected to close in Seattle, but Joaquin Benoit has the better arsenal. He features three plus pitches and had a 2.34 ERA.
Relief Pitcher Rankings for 2016 Fantasy Baseball
| Rank | Tier | Name | Brad | Max | Kyle | Nick | Harris | Jeff | Bill |
| 1 | 1 | Aroldis Chapman | 4 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 1 |
| 2 | 1 | Wade Davis | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| 3 | 1 | Craig Kimbrel | 1 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| 4 | 1 | Kenley Jansen | 2 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 4 |
| 5 | 2 | Zach Britton | 5 | 5 | 9 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 5 |
| 6 | 2 | Ken Giles | 7 | 6 | 5 | 9 | 9 | 5 | 9 |
| 7 | 2 | Jeurys Familia | 10 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 8 | 7 | 8 |
| 8 | 2 | Trevor Rosenthal | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 6 |
| 9 | 3 | David Robertson | 11 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 11 | 9 | 10 |
| 10 | 3 | Cody Allen | 6 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 15 |
| 11 | 3 | Mark Melancon | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 7 | 12 | 12 |
| 12 | 3 | Glen Perkins | 13 | 14 | 13 | 17 | 13 | 13 | 11 |
| 13 | 4 | Andrew Miller | 12 | 26 | 14 | 20 | 12 | 11 | 7 |
| 14 | 4 | Brad Boxberger | 17 | 13 | 19 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 13 |
| 15 | 4 | Huston Street | 19 | 16 | 12 | 13 | 18 | 16 | 14 |
| 16 | 4 | Hector Rondon | 14 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 17 | 16 |
| 17 | 4 | A.J. Ramos | 16 | 19 | 18 | 14 | 27 | 15 | 17 |
| 18 | 5 | Dellin Betances | 15 | 24 | 15 | 21 | 17 | 20 | 18 |
| 19 | 5 | Francisco Rodriguez | 20 | 15 | 22 | 15 | 22 | 19 | 20 |
| 20 | 5 | Roberto Osuna | 20 | 20 | 22 | 15 | 21 | 19 | |
| 21 | 5 | Jonathan Papelbon | 21 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 23 | 18 | 22 |
| 22 | 5 | Carter Capps | 18 | 27 | 21 | 16 | 16 | 32 | 26 |
| 23 | 6 | Santiago Casilla | 24 | 21 | 28 | 25 | 19 | 25 | 21 |
| 24 | 6 | Shawn Tolleson | 32 | 18 | 24 | 26 | 24 | 24 | 24 |
| 25 | 6 | Brad Ziegler | 26 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 26 | 26 | 29 |
| 26 | 6 | Jake McGee | 23 | 32 | 23 | 28 | 29 | 33 | 27 |
| 27 | 6 | Sean Doolittle | 36 | 22 | 29 | 30 | 21 | 30 | - |
| 28 | 6 | Arodys Vizcaino | 25 | 25 | 26 | 24 | 39 | 35 | 23 |
| 29 | 6 | Jason Grilli | - | 30 | - | - | - | 27 | - |
| 30 | 6 | Steve Cishek | 27 | 31 | 35 | 34 | 25 | 22 | - |
| 31 | 7 | Drew Storen | 22 | 23 | 25 | 27 | 28 | 34 | 30 |
| 32 | 7 | David Hernandez | 37 | 28 | 31 | 33 | 41 | 23 | - |
| 33 | 7 | Luke Gregerson | - | 42 | - | 23 | 32 | 41 | 28 |
| 34 | 7 | Will Smith | - | 33 | - | - | 38 | 29 | - |
| 35 | 7 | Jason Motte | - | 36 | - | - | - | 31 | - |
| 36 | 7 | Carson Smith | - | 38 | 34 | 32 | 33 | 40 | 25 |
| 37 | 7 | Darren O'Day | 28 | 47 | 30 | 31 | 34 | 39 | 32 |
| 38 | 7 | JJ Hoover | - | 34 | - | 38 | 40 | 28 | - |
| 39 | 7 | Kelvin Herrera | - | 35 | - | - | - | - | - |
| 40 | 7 | Hunter Strickland | - | 40 | 32 | 37 | - | 37 | - |
| 41 | 7 | Joakim Soria | 30 | 43 | - | - | 36 | 43 | 31 |
| 42 | 8 | Kevin Siegrist | 35 | 48 | - | - | 31 | - | - |
| 43 | 8 | Joaquin Benoit | - | 37 | - | 40 | - | 38 | - |
| 44 | 8 | Tony Watson | - | 39 | 33 | - | 43 | 42 | - |
| 45 | 8 | Tyler Clippard | 33 | 50 | - | - | 35 | - | - |
| 46 | 8 | Sergio Romo | - | 41 | - | 36 | - | 45 | - |
| 47 | 8 | Drew Pomeranz | - | 45 | - | - | 30 | 47 | - |
| 48 | 8 | Tom Wilhelmsen | 31 | 51 | - | - | 37 | 49 | - |
| 49 | 8 | Ryan Madson | 38 | 52 | - | - | 45 | 36 | - |
| 50 | 8 | Brandon Maurer | - | 54 | - | - | 42 | 44 | - |
| 51 | 8 | Jumbo Diaz | - | 44 | - | 39 | - | 46 | - |
| 52 | 8 | Kevin Jepsen | 34 | 49 | - | - | - | 50 | - |
| 53 | 8 | Koji Uehara | - | 46 | - | - | 44 | - | - |
| 54 | 8 | Seung-Hwan Oh | - | 53 | - | 35 | - | 48 | - |
| 55 | 8 | Chad Qualls | - | 55 | - | - | - | - | - |
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