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We're into the meat of September and that means the Week 8 Relief Pitcher Baller Ranks are here for a weekly dive into how the top 101 RPs stand moving forward. You can check out my weekly Top 101 Starting Pitcher Baller Ranks as well.
David Emerick rolled out an introduction to our Baller Ranks here -- I suggest you read for a full explanation of our purpose, but the TL;DR is here we're providing a one-stop-shop for SP, RP, and hitter valuation. We'll explore value produced to-date, their current standing, and provide context with analysis.
And for those who want stats like the usual 5x5 categories, strikeout rates, Called + Swinging Strike rates, xwOBA and more on a decked-out spreadsheet, we've got you covered - you can view the full Week 8 Top 101 RP Baller Ranks core sheet here.
Editor's Note: Our incredible team of writers received five total writing awards and 13 award nominations by the Fantasy Sports Writers Association, tops in the industry! Congrats to all the award winners and nominees including Best MLB Series, NFL Series, NBA Writer, PGA Writer and Player Notes writer of the year. Be sure to follow their analysis, rankings and advice all year long, and win big with RotoBaller! Read More!
Top 101 Relief Pitchers for Fantasy Baseball - Week 8
| Rank | $ | Tier | Player | EV | $ | Trend | Notes |
| 1 | 14.0 | 1 | Liam Hendriks | 6.6 | 14.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Stretch of postponed games stings, still a top arm. |
| 2 | 14.0 | 1 | Kenley Jansen | 3.5 | 14.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 3 | 14.0 | 1 | Josh Hader | 3.5 | 14.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 4 | 13.0 | 2 | Brad Hand | 4.8 | 12.0 | 1.0 ▲ | Early scuffles are in the past, looks elite lately. |
| 5 | 11.0 | 2 | Taylor Rogers | 5.4 | 11.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Lighter usage of late, but peripherals remain strong. |
| 6 | 11.0 | 2 | Alex Colome | 3.1 | 11.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 7 | 10.5 | 2 | Raisel Iglesias | 4.2 | 10.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 8 | 9.5 | 3 | Rafael Montero | 2.5 | 9.5 | 0.0 ▬ | He can only go as far as TEX offense lets him. |
| 9 | 8.5 | 3 | Daniel Hudson | -2.7 | 7.5 | 1.0 ▲ | High ERA burns, WHIP still under 1 and saves coming in. |
| 10 | 7.5 | 3 | Mark Melancon | 1.1 | 6.0 | 1.5 ▲ | Lower K's, but perfect in last four appearances. |
| 11 | 7.0 | 3 | Giovanny Gallegos | 4.7 | 7.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 12 | 6.5 | 3 | Ryan Pressly | 4.1 | 5.5 | 1.0 ▲ | HOU may be skidding, but Pressly's been solid. |
| 13 | 6.0 | 3 | Drew Pomeranz | 6.4 | 3.5 | 2.5 ▲ | |
| 14 | 5.5 | 3 | Aroldis Chapman | -2.2 | 8.5 | -3.0 ▼ | Yanks are ice-cold, Chapman's suspension looms. |
| 15 | 4.5 | 4 | Trevor Rosenthal | 2.1 | 5.5 | -1.0 ▼ | |
| 16 | 4.0 | 4 | Edwin Diaz | 4.4 | 3.0 | 1.0 ▲ | With over two strikeouts per inning, he's steadying. |
| 17 | 4.0 | 4 | Devin Williams | 6.9 | 4.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 18 | 3.5 | 4 | Nick Anderson | 5.9 | 1.0 | 2.5 ▲ | Only one appearance since return, a clean save on 9/4. |
| 19 | 3.5 | 4 | Daniel Bard | 5.5 | 1.5 | 2.0 ▲ | |
| 20 | 3.0 | 4 | Brandon Workman | 1.6 | 3.5 | -0.5 ▼ | Not perfect, but looks much better in PHI than earlier. |
| 21 | 2.5 | 5 | Richard Rodriguez | 2.1 | 2.0 | 0.5 ▲ | Looking quite strong, healthy K's, barely any walks. |
| 22 | 2.0 | 5 | Matt Barnes | -1.5 | 1.5 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 28 | 2.0 | 5 | Jeremy Jeffress | 2.6 | 1.0 | 1.0 ▲ | |
| 23 | 2.0 | 5 | Brandon Kintzler | -2.3 | 4.5 | -2.5 ▼ | Two shaky appearances in a row, but that'll come w/ B.K. |
| 24 | 1.5 | 5 | James Karinchak | 6.1 | 4.0 | -2.5 ▼ | He's looked mortal lately, but still a top non-closer. |
| 25 | 1.5 | 5 | Greg Holland | 2.8 | 1.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 26 | 1.5 | 5 | Ty Buttrey | 2.8 | 2.0 | -0.5 ▼ | |
| 27 | 1.5 | 5 | Scott Barlow | 2.9 | 1.0 | 0.5 ▲ | Barlow notched KC's first save opp of September. |
| 29 | 1.5 | 5 | Sergio Romo | 1.1 | 1.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 30 | 1.5 | 5 | Yoshihisa Hirano | -0.4 | 1.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 31 | 1.5 | 5 | Josh Staumont | 1.1 | 1.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 32 | 1.5 | 5 | Tyler Duffey | 2.9 | 1.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 33 | 1.5 | 5 | Jonathan Hernandez | 5.8 | 1.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 34 | 1.5 | 5 | Rafael Dolis | 2.8 | 0.5 | 1.0 ▲ | Trending up w/ Bass shaking, though Giles may be back. |
| 35 | 1.5 | 5 | Diego Castillo | -1.1 | 1.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 36 | 1.0 | 6 | Zack Britton | 2.1 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 37 | 1.0 | 6 | Craig Kimbrel | -1.3 | 0.0 | 1.0 ▲ | Two perfect innings since Aug. 29 meltdown, ups & downs. |
| 38 | 1.0 | 6 | Cesar Valdez | 2.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 ▲ | |
| 39 | 1.0 | 6 | Gregory Soto | 1.5 | 0.0 | 1.0 ▲ | |
| 40 | 1.0 | 6 | Hector Neris | 3.2 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 41 | 1.0 | 6 | Joakim Soria | 4.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 42 | 1.0 | 6 | Tony Watson | 1.9 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Finally, two saves in SFG's last four games. |
| 43 | 1.0 | 6 | Bryan Garcia | 2.7 | 0.0 | 1.0 ▲ | |
| 44 | 1.0 | 6 | Kevin Ginkel | -1.1 | 0.0 | 1.0 ▲ | Rough start, but has trust for 9th post-Bradley trade. |
| 45 | 1.0 | 6 | Archie Bradley | 4.5 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 46 | 1.0 | 6 | Tanner Rainey | 2.4 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 47 | 1.0 | 6 | Ken Giles | -0.4 | 0.5 | 0.5 ▲ | Threw live BP on Sep. 8, he may return this weekend. |
| 48 | 1.0 | 7 | Mychal Givens | 2.9 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 49 | 1.0 | 7 | Trevor May | 0.8 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 50 | 1.0 | 7 | Yohan Ramirez | -1.2 | 0.0 | 1.0 ▲ | Has seen saves w/ SEA not overworking Hirano. |
| 51 | 1.0 | 7 | Amir Garrett | 3.4 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 52 | 1.0 | 7 | Evan Marshall | 5.2 | 0.5 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 53 | 1.0 | 7 | Andrew Miller | 1.3 | 0.0 | 1.0 ▲ | |
| 54 | 1.0 | 7 | Hunter Harvey | 1.1 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 55 | 1.0 | 7 | Anthony Bass | 3.0 | 2.0 | -1.0 ▼ | Given up runs in 3 of last 5, Giles may return soon. |
| 56 | 1.0 | 7 | Tyler Rogers | 2.1 | 0.5 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 57 | 1.0 | 7 | Chad Green | 1.1 | 1.5 | -0.5 ▼ | |
| 58 | 1.0 | 7 | Matt Foster | 4.2 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 59 | 0.5 | 8 | Rowan Wick | 3.1 | 1.5 | -1.0 ▼ | |
| 60 | 0.5 | 8 | Yusmeiro Petit | 0.2 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 61 | 0.5 | 8 | Nick Wittgren | 1.3 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 62 | 0.5 | 8 | Joely Rodriguez | 3.3 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 63 | 0.5 | 8 | Ross Detwiler | 2.4 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 64 | 0.5 | 8 | Jorge Alcala | 2.7 | 0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 65 | 0.5 | 8 | Felix Pena | 3.4 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | His first save was followed by his two worst games, ugh. |
| 66 | 0.5 | 8 | Peter Fairbanks | 3.8 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 67 | 0.5 | 8 | Lucas Sims | 2.8 | 0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 68 | 0.5 | 8 | John Gant | 3.1 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 69 | 0.5 | 8 | Andre Scrubb | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 70 | 0.5 | 8 | Nick Vincent | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | Snuck in a save after Kintzler blew his own. |
| 71 | 0.5 | 9 | David Phelps | 1.3 | 1.0 | -0.5 ▼ | |
| 72 | 0.5 | 9 | Will Smith | -3.0 | 1.0 | -0.5 ▼ | |
| 73 | 0.5 | 9 | Freddy Peralta | 5.9 | 0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 74 | 0.5 | 9 | Jake McGee | 3.8 | 0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 75 | 0.5 | 9 | Tyler Clippard | 5.3 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 76 | 0.5 | 9 | Adam Ottavino | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 77 | 0.5 | 9 | Blake Treinen | 3.2 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 78 | 0.5 | 9 | Tanner Scott | 2.2 | 0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 79 | 0.5 | 9 | Yency Almonte | 5.1 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 80 | 0.5 | 9 | Jose Cisnero | 5.6 | 0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 81 | 0.5 | 9 | John Curtiss | 2.1 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 82 | 0.5 | 9 | Thomas Hatch | 2.1 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 83 | 0.5 | 9 | Tim Hill | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 84 | 0.5 | 9 | Brad Boxberger | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 85 | 0.5 | 10 | Carlos Estevez | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 86 | 0.5 | 10 | Nick Nelson | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | Gaining confidence w/ recent action, far from saves. |
| 87 | 0.5 | 10 | Trevor Gott | -9.2 | 0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 88 | 0.5 | 10 | Yimi Garcia | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 89 | 0.5 | 10 | Sean Doolittle | -2.6 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | It's possible he earns some southpaw saves late. |
| 90 | 0.5 | 10 | Caleb Ferguson | 0.9 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 91 | 0.5 | 10 | Miguel Castro | 0.7 | 1.0 | -0.5 ▼ | |
| 92 | 0.5 | 10 | J.B. Wendelken | 3.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 93 | 0.5 | 10 | Brad Peacock | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | First appearance off IL wasn't good, but HOU 'pen is thin. |
| 94 | 0.5 | 10 | Alex Reyes | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 95 | 0.5 | 10 | Alex Claudio | 0.8 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 96 | 0.5 | 10 | Emilio Pagan | -1.5 | 0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | Facing live hitters Sep. 8, may be activated Sep. 10. |
| 97 | 0.5 | 10 | Sam Coonrod | -0.3 | 0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | Only for the truly desperate, aka Gabe Kapler. |
| 98 | 0.5 | 10 | Ryan Borucki | 2.1 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 99 | 0.5 | 10 | Steve Cishek | -1.7 | 0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 100 | 0.5 | 10 | Nik Turley | 1.7 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 101 | 0.5 | 10 | Jordan Romano | 3.2 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | TOR hopes Romano can return in mid-to-late Sep. |
Relief Pitcher Movers of Note
Brad Hand (RP, Indians): Through his first three appearances, Hand had given up five runs (four earned) and frightened many of us. He started to stabilize in the coming weeks, but his appearances were infrequent and command was an issue. By August 15 -- over three weeks of action -- Hand had five saves in seven games and an uncanny four walks to his name.
Since then, Hand has a glorious line to his name: 9 IP, 1 W, 7 SV, 12 K, 0 BB, 4 H. Yup, four scattered hits are the only “damage” to be found. Hopefully, you didn’t panic in the early going and you’re enjoying the ratio relief alongside the saves.
Nick Anderson (RP, Rays): Anderson’s only made one appearance since returning from the injured list on Sept. 4, but it landed him a scoreless save. The Rays haven’t had a save opp outside of that so it’s possible they’re limiting Anderson for September after the forearm injury. It’s hard to blame them with their season likely extending well into October, but ours won’t be. This could be very short-term for his first week back, but fantasy teams had seen heavier usage pre-injury when Anderson appeared in 11 of Tampa’s first 25 games.
Rafael Dolis (RP, Blue Jays): Dolis has stepped up with Anthony Bass scuffling and both Ken Giles and Jordan Romano injured. While Giles could return by this weekend, Dolis is here now with a clean 1.86 ERA/1.24 WHIP and 22 K’s in 19 ⅓ IP. He hasn’t surrendered an earned run since Aug. 12 (11 appearances) and notched a win on Sept. 3, as well as the save on Sept. 6. It may not last the week, but Dolis looks like Toronto’s 1A option and there’s little guarantee Giles’ return goes smoothly.
Cesar Valdez (RP, Orioles): Valdez looks to be running with Hunter Harvey for Baltimore’s late frames right now. The 35-year-old started with Arizona and has bounced around the minors as well as Mexico before shining with 7 ⅓ IP of scoreless ball for the O’s here in 2020. He’s rarely carried a strikeout rate north of 25% for any period of time, but here he is at 32.1% in today’s swing-happy MLB. There’s some luck, namely the .235 BABIP and no homers allowed, but he’s never been prone to longballs and Baltimore simply can’t be picky. For fantasy teams that can’t either, here you are.
Kevin Ginkel (RP, Diamondbacks): Ginkel is one of the lowest-ranked “closers” within the ranks, but I recognize the role that saves and the ninth inning plays to many of you. If he resembled the pitcher he was during last season’s rookie campaign (1.48 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 29.2% K rate, 9.4% BB rate) then we’d feel warmer, but strikeouts are down, walks are up, homers are up, AND he’s unlucky on top of that.
His .415 BABIP is nearly double last year’s .228 mark, though his first nine appearances were far worse than his most recent eight. He had a 7/7 K/BB ratio with nine runs allowed over just 6 ⅔ IP, but eight games since Aug. 21 have seen an improved 9/3 K/BB rate with two runs yielded across 7 ⅔ IP. There’s still a 5.37 FIP and 4.79 xFIP underneath that recent 2.35 ERA, but it’s enough to make him a worthy option in Arizona.
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