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It's already time for the Week 5 Relief Pitcher Baller Ranks, where we take a weekly dive into where the top 101 RPs stand moving forward in this strange sprint season. You can check out my weekly Top 101 Starting Pitcher Baller Ranks as well. I've updated this piece through Aug. 18.
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 5 Top 101 RP Baller Ranks core sheet here.
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Top 101 Relief Pitchers for Fantasy Baseball - Week 5
| Rank | $ | Tier | Player | EV | $ | Trend | Notes |
| 1 | $14.0 | 1 | Josh Hader | $3.4 | $14.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 2 | $14.0 | 1 | Kenley Jansen | $2.9 | $14.0 | 0.0 ▬ | That offseason Driveline work is paying off. |
| 3 | $14.0 | 1 | Liam Hendriks | $3.9 | $14.0 | 0.0 ▬ | The No. 1 RP through Aug. 18 in 5x5 formats. |
| 4 | $12.0 | 2 | Drew Pomeranz | $4.7 | $4.0 | 8.0 ▲ | Could be 5x5 No. 1 RP but will be used outside of 9th. |
| 5 | $12.0 | 2 | Taylor Rogers | $2.7 | $11.5 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 6 | $11.0 | 2 | Nick Anderson | $4.8 | $10.0 | 1.0 ▲ | |
| 7 | $10.5 | 2 | Aroldis Chapman | $0.3 | $10.5 | 0.0 ▬ | Encouraging first outing despite earned run on the books. |
| 8 | $9.5 | 3 | Brad Hand | $1.5 | $11.0 | -1.5 ▼ | |
| 9 | $8.0 | 3 | Alex Colome | $2.8 | $7.5 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 10 | $8.0 | 3 | Raisel Iglesias | $2.6 | $7.0 | 1.0 ▲ | Lack of SV opps early, but nearly 50% K rate and zero walks. |
| 11 | $7.0 | 3 | Archie Bradley | $3.9 | $6.5 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 12 | $6.5 | 3 | Rafael Montero | $2.8 | $2.5 | 4.0 ▲ | Excellent start in a largely-uncontested bullpen. |
| 13 | $6.0 | 3 | Mark Melancon | $1.3 | $6.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Looks solid, but lack of big K's bars him from top tiers. |
| 14 | $5.5 | 4 | Hector Neris | $1.5 | $8.0 | -2.5 ▼ | |
| 15 | $4.5 | 4 | Daniel Hudson | -$0.5 | $4.0 | 0.5 ▲ | Washington's man with Doolittle out, little behind him. |
| 16 | $4.0 | 4 | Brandon Workman | $0.8 | $5.5 | -1.5 ▼ | Only one appearance since Aug. 7. |
| 17 | $4.0 | 4 | Trevor Rosenthal | $1.6 | $3.0 | 1.0 ▲ | |
| 18 | $3.5 | 4 | Edwin Diaz | $2.2 | $1.5 | 2.0 ▲ | Often looks unhittable, earning back high-leverage spots. |
| 19 | $3.0 | 4 | James Karinchak | $5.5 | $2.0 | 1.0 ▲ | Absolute beast, worth rostering in any format despite Hand. |
| 20 | $2.5 | 5 | Seth Lugo | $1.9 | $3.5 | -1.0 ▼ | |
| 21 | $2.0 | 5 | Joe Jimenez | $0.7 | $4.5 | -2.5 ▼ | |
| 22 | $2.0 | 5 | Ryan Pressly | $2.1 | $2.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Three steady outings in a row, looks to have stablized. |
| 28 | $2.0 | 5 | Chad Green | $4.2 | $1.5 | 0.5 ▲ | Your No. 2 RP through Aug. 18. |
| 23 | $1.5 | 5 | Sergio Romo | $1.6 | $1.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 24 | $1.5 | 5 | Tyler Duffey | $3.7 | $1.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 25 | $1.5 | 5 | Zack Britton | $2.2 | $1.5 | 0.0 ▬ | Had a great run, but Chapman's back now. |
| 26 | $1.5 | 5 | Brandon Kintzler | $0.4 | $1.0 | 0.5 ▲ | Looking strong early - need to see more to fully buy. |
| 27 | $1.5 | 5 | Andrew Miller | $0.8 | $0.5 | 1.0 ▲ | Two saves upon STL return, earning the role. |
| 29 | $1.5 | 5 | Cole Sulser | $0.5 | $1.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 30 | $1.5 | 5 | Anthony Bass | $2.2 | $1.5 | 0.0 ▬ | Giles coming back soon and Romano joining 9th. |
| 31 | $1.5 | 5 | Devin Williams | $2.5 | $0.0 | 1.5 ▲ | |
| 32 | $1.5 | 5 | Rowan Wick | $3.2 | $1.0 | 0.5 ▲ | Looks like the 1A option for CHC. |
| 33 | $1.0 | 6 | Jordan Romano | $3.0 | $0.5 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 34 | $1.0 | 6 | Emilio Pagan | -$1.6 | $1.5 | -0.5 ▼ | Chance at saves w/ Pomeranz usage flexible. |
| 35 | $1.0 | 6 | Will Smith | -$1.4 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 36 | $1.0 | 6 | Keone Kela | -$0.7 | $0.0 | 1.0 ▲ | PIT should want to drive trade value up, give him opps. |
| 37 | $1.0 | 6 | Taylor Williams | $1.1 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 38 | $1.0 | 6 | Jairo Diaz | $0.6 | $2.0 | -1.0 ▼ | Looks like he lost hold on interim closer gig. |
| 39 | $1.0 | 6 | Giovanny Gallegos | $1.2 | $1.5 | -0.5 ▼ | |
| 40 | $1.0 | 6 | Ty Buttrey | $1.0 | $1.5 | -0.5 ▼ | Robles turning a corner, Buttrey has more BB than K. |
| 41 | $1.0 | 6 | Joakim Soria | $4.1 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 42 | $1.0 | 6 | Craig Kimbrel | -$1.9 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Two consecutive clean outings, but Wick/Jeffress more trust. |
| 43 | $1.0 | 6 | Hansel Robles | -$1.4 | $0.5 | 0.5 ▲ | Five straight scoreless appearances, may return to 9th soon. |
| 44 | $1.0 | 6 | Jonathan Hernandez | $4.9 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 45 | $1.0 | 6 | Tanner Rainey | $2.6 | $0.5 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 46 | $1.0 | 6 | Matt Foster | $3.7 | $0.0 | 1.0 ▲ | He's been opening for CWS, but results are worth rostering. |
| 47 | $1.0 | 6 | Gregory Soto | $2.2 | $0.0 | 1.0 ▲ | |
| 48 | $1.0 | 6 | Josh Staumont | $1.7 | $0.0 | 1.0 ▲ | Rising quickly in my ranks, great to see him steady. |
| 49 | $1.0 | 6 | Freddy Peralta | $4.8 | $0.0 | 1.0 ▲ | |
| 50 | $1.0 | 7 | Adam Ottavino | $1.3 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 51 | $1.0 | 7 | Diego Castillo | $1.0 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 52 | $1.0 | 7 | Matt Barnes | -$2.6 | $1.5 | -0.5 ▼ | |
| 53 | $1.0 | 7 | Jeremy Jeffress | $3.2 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 54 | $0.5 | 7 | Trevor Gott | -$9.5 | $1.0 | -0.5 ▼ | This past week will mar his ratios for eternity. |
| 55 | $0.5 | 7 | Tony Watson | $0.1 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | Gott crashing, Rogers shaky. Watson looks best right now. |
| 56 | $0.5 | 8 | Ken Giles | -$0.4 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | Clean MRI, making progress. |
| 57 | $0.5 | 8 | Pedro Baez | $0.5 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 58 | $0.5 | 8 | Trevor May | $1.1 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | Resembles his strong form flashed in 2018. |
| 59 | $0.5 | 8 | Matt Magill | $0.1 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 60 | $0.5 | 8 | Yusmeiro Petit | $0.0 | $1.0 | -0.5 ▼ | |
| 61 | $0.5 | 8 | Mychal Givens | $2.6 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 62 | $0.5 | 8 | Ross Detwiler | $1.9 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 63 | $0.5 | 8 | Carlos Estevez | $0.8 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | Escaped major hand injury, could be part of COL committee. |
| 64 | $0.5 | 8 | Nick Wittgren | $1.2 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 65 | $0.5 | 8 | Greg Holland | $2.0 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 66 | $0.5 | 8 | Miguel Castro | $1.2 | $1.0 | -0.5 ▼ | |
| 67 | $0.5 | 8 | Alex Reyes | $0.6 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | Perfect first appearance, command woes the second time. |
| 68 | $0.5 | 9 | Dan Altavilla | $0.1 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 69 | $0.5 | 9 | Tyler Rogers | $1.4 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 70 | $0.5 | 9 | Corey Knebel | -$2.0 | $1.0 | -0.5 ▼ | He's behind Hader and Williams in the 'pen w/ weak start. |
| 71 | $0.5 | 9 | Rafael Dolis | $0.6 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 72 | $0.5 | 9 | Jose Alvarez | $1.0 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 73 | $0.5 | 9 | Jake McGee | $2.4 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 74 | $0.5 | 9 | Richard Rodriguez | $1.9 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 75 | $0.5 | 9 | Tyler Clippard | $2.4 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 76 | $0.5 | 9 | Blake Treinen | $1.6 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 77 | $0.5 | 9 | Amir Garrett | $0.0 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 78 | $0.5 | 9 | Blake Taylor | $1.7 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 79 | $0.5 | 9 | John Gant | $1.5 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | Early CSW leader with nearly 50% (min. 50 pitches) |
| 80 | $0.5 | 9 | Daniel Bard | $5.0 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 81 | $0.5 | 9 | Jeurys Familia | $0.3 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 82 | $0.5 | 9 | Daniel Ponce de Leon | -$0.1 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 83 | $0.5 | 9 | Yency Almonte | $3.4 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 84 | $0.5 | 9 | Scott Barlow | $2.3 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | KC no stranger to spreading late-inning responsibility. |
| 85 | $0.5 | 9 | Dennis Santana | $0.9 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 86 | $0.5 | 9 | Evan Marshall | $2.1 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 87 | $0.5 | 9 | Ryan Borucki | $2.0 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | Looks incredible early, another sneaky ratio/K+ add. |
| 88 | $0.5 | 10 | Luke Jackson | $0.9 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 89 | $0.5 | 10 | Dellin Betances | $1.0 | $1.0 | -0.5 ▼ | |
| 90 | $0.5 | 10 | Chaz Roe | $3.4 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | Early low walk tally encouraging, snuck in a save on Tues. |
| 91 | $0.5 | 10 | Josh Tomlin | $4.0 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 92 | $0.5 | 10 | Josh Osich | -$0.6 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 93 | $0.5 | 10 | Caleb Ferguson | $1.9 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 94 | $0.5 | 10 | Cody Stashak | $0.1 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 95 | $0.5 | 10 | Lucas Sims | $1.8 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 96 | $0.5 | 10 | Brusdar Graterol | $2.2 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 97 | $0.5 | 10 | Felix Pena | $2.1 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 98 | $0.5 | 10 | J.B. Wendelken | $0.7 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 99 | $0.5 | 10 | Peter Fairbanks | $1.9 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 100 | $0.5 | 10 | Travis Lakins Sr. | $1.4 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 101 | $0.5 | 10 | Tyler Kinley | $0.7 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ |
Relief Pitcher Movers of Note
Drew Pomeranz (SP/RP, Padres): Pomeranz could be the game’s best closer with Kirby Yates out for the foreseeable future. The southpaw has pitched 9 scoreless innings, totaling 12 strikeouts with a 0.44 WHIP. Of course, even Pomeranz isn’t capable of holding a .063 BABIP for too long
He held a 1.88 ERA with an incredible 50/8 K/BB ratio in 28 ⅔ relief IP last season, but a .289 BABIP is closer to my expectation moving forward. The Pads may use Emilio Pagan against weaker portions of the order so don’t expect 100% closer usage for Pom just like that, but be very excited if you’ve got him.
Hector Neris (RP, Phillies):
Neris is struggling early, much like the entire Phillies bullpen in 2020. We saw him rebound from an ugly 2018 where he was demoted thanks to zero splitter control with an elite 2019 (2.93 ERA/1.02 WHIP/32.4% K rate). He’s only thrown 5 IP so far, walking three and allowing four runs in his last three appearances.
While his 2.54 FIP is well below the 7.20 ERA to start and his .438 BABIP is a joke, Neris can’t be leaving us with innings like last Friday where hitters average over 100 mph exit velocities. Luckily, his leash is long with the whole ‘pen yielding a 8.32 ERA through Tuesday.
Ryan Pressly (RP, Astros): Pressly is not "moving" but he's stopped falling so I consider that a win/change. He'd shown a drop in fastball velocity out of the gate, sitting around 93 mph instead of 95. But he's only surrendered one hit and one walk over his last three appearances (3 IP) with five strikeouts in there, with BrooksBaseball showing his fastball averaging around 94.5 mph instead. We can breathe a little with that. There's hope here and while Blake Taylor has been a happy surprise for this beleaguered bullpen, Pressly's recent run should give him some security for being the preferred closer.
Hansel Robles (RP, Angels): Ty Buttrey only has four strikeouts in 10 2/3 IP, though he’s posted six straight scoreless appearances since notching a save on Aug. 4. This isn't an automatic switch, but Robles has looked like his old self again after his first four games resulted in nine runs and a demotion to lower-leverage spots.
He’s blanked opponents in five consecutive outings (4 ⅓ IP, 0 ER, BB, 7 Ks) and looks more impressive than Buttrey, who has just four punchouts over 9 ⅔ IP. We’ll see if they let him get the job back without a massive Buttrey stumble, but Robles appears ready.
Devin Williams (RP, Brewers): Williams is one of those rising relief stars that should be rostered in anything with a K/9 aspect. His changeup torched social media on Friday -- you can see why here:
Devin Williams, sir, this isn't entirely fair.
Two wicked changeups and then dotting 98. pic.twitter.com/whi1lLgOMY
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 12, 2020
And to have an upper-90s fastball to casually toss in is just unfair. While Josh Hader is still a first-tier RP, Corey Knebel is wavering in his return after missing 2019. Knebel has blown two saves, allowing three homers (eight hits) in six innings of work.
This has opened the door for Williams’ 0.93 ERA/0.93 WHIP with 20 K’s in just 9 ⅔ IP to join Hader at the top of their hierarchy. His 20.4% swinging-strike rate is eighth among 212 qualified relievers and his 52% contact rate is third-lowest among the same group. His 5x5 ceiling is capped by Hader, but he can be an elite setup arm with handcuff potential.
Josh Staumont (RP, Royals): Staumont's 59.7% contact rate is 11th, right behind Williams. If it wasn’t enough to see Trevor Rosenthal and Greg Holland rise up to relevance, Staumont’s 98-mph fastball and sharp curve are working beautifully. He brought his BABIP down to “only” .400 with a perfect inning on Saturday, adding two more strikeouts for 19 in just 9 ⅔ IP. He’s only given up one run (0.93 ERA) and clearly feels comfortable on the mound, making him a strong add despite his being far from the ninth.
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