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With September on the horizon, it's time for the Week 6 Relief Pitcher Baller Ranks. Let's take our 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. 25.
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 6 Top 101 RP Baller Ranks core sheet here.
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Top 101 Relief Pitchers for Fantasy Baseball - Week 6
| Rank | $ | Tier | Player | EV | $ | Trend | Notes |
| 1 | $14.0 | 1 | Liam Hendriks | $5.3 | $14.0 | 0.0 ▬ | OAK simply not holding him back and he's producing. |
| 2 | $14.0 | 1 | Josh Hader | $3.6 | $14.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Results are there, but usage is down. |
| 3 | $14.0 | 1 | Kenley Jansen | $2.9 | $14.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 4 | $12.0 | 2 | Taylor Rogers | $3.7 | $12.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 5 | $12.0 | 2 | Aroldis Chapman | $0.3 | $10.5 | 1.5 ▲ | Yankees got swept then postponed last week, no chances. |
| 6 | $11.0 | 2 | Brad Hand | $2.6 | $9.5 | 1.5 ▲ | Early bumps still skew numbers, but he's looked much better. |
| 7 | $10.5 | 2 | Alex Colome | $3.0 | $8.0 | 2.5 ▲ | |
| 8 | $9.5 | 3 | Raisel Iglesias | $2.6 | $8.0 | 1.5 ▲ | |
| 9 | $8.0 | 3 | Rafael Montero | $1.4 | $6.5 | 1.5 ▲ | |
| 10 | $8.0 | 3 | Daniel Hudson | $0.3 | $4.5 | 3.5 ▲ | |
| 11 | $6.5 | 3 | Archie Bradley | $4.1 | $7.0 | -0.5 ▼ | Hadn't pitched in eight straight games before Aug. 25. |
| 12 | $6.0 | 3 | Trevor Rosenthal | $0.6 | $4.0 | 2.0 ▲ | |
| 13 | $6.0 | 3 | Mark Melancon | $1.4 | $6.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 14 | $5.5 | 4 | James Karinchak | $7.1 | $3.0 | 2.5 ▲ | Saves be damned, he's a must-start arm. |
| 15 | $4.5 | 4 | Ryan Pressly | $2.9 | $2.0 | 2.5 ▲ | |
| 16 | $4.0 | 4 | Brandon Kintzler | -$0.5 | $1.5 | 2.5 ▲ | Providing stellar late-round RP value. |
| 17 | $4.0 | 4 | Jordan Romano | $4.5 | $1.0 | 3.0 ▲ | |
| 18 | $3.5 | 4 | Giovanny Gallegos | $2.8 | $1.0 | 2.5 ▲ | Notched a perfect four-out save on Aug. 22. |
| 19 | $3.0 | 4 | Edwin Diaz | $3.7 | $3.5 | -0.5 ▼ | Still spotty command, but all 7 outs were K's last week. |
| 20 | $3.0 | 4 | Emilio Pagan | -$2.3 | $1.0 | 2.0 ▲ | Two clean saves this past week, he should be the guy for SD. |
| 21 | $2.5 | 5 | Devin Williams | $4.0 | $1.5 | 1.0 ▲ | Rostering Williams and Karinchak = Fantasy ace |
| 22 | $2.0 | 5 | Brandon Workman | $1.4 | $4.0 | -2.0 ▼ | Took L in PHI debut, nearly blew SV in second game. Scary. |
| 28 | $2.0 | 5 | Daniel Bard | $3.9 | $0.5 | 1.5 ▲ | Appears to be COL's 1A closer. |
| 23 | $1.5 | 5 | Hector Neris | $1.2 | $5.5 | -4.0 ▼ | Competiton with Workman, but both are struggling. |
| 24 | $1.5 | 5 | Joe Jimenez | -$2.8 | $2.0 | -0.5 ▼ | Two implosions in last two games, no saves in two weeks. Ow. |
| 25 | $1.5 | 5 | Chad Green | $4.2 | $2.0 | -0.5 ▼ | |
| 26 | $1.5 | 5 | Cole Sulser | $0.5 | $1.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 27 | $1.5 | 5 | Sergio Romo | $1.8 | $1.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 29 | $1.5 | 5 | Taylor Williams | $1.9 | $1.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 30 | $1.5 | 5 | Ty Buttrey | $0.3 | $1.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 31 | $1.5 | 5 | Richard Rodriguez | $1.6 | $0.5 | 1.0 ▲ | PIT's strongest RP right now. |
| 32 | $1.5 | 5 | Tyler Duffey | $2.9 | $1.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 33 | $1.5 | 5 | Matt Barnes | -$3.0 | $1.0 | 0.5 ▲ | New BOS closer, same BOS command problems. |
| 34 | $1.5 | 5 | Rowan Wick | $1.4 | $1.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 35 | $1.5 | 5 | Josh Staumont | $2.2 | $1.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 36 | $1.0 | 6 | Craig Kimbrel | -$2.0 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Looking better lately, whiffs way up, did walk two on Aug. 23. |
| 37 | $1.0 | 6 | Jonathan Hernandez | $5.9 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 38 | $1.0 | 6 | Drew Pomeranz | $4.8 | $12.0 | -11.0 ▼ | We all cry when Pomeranz is injured, hope you can stash. |
| 39 | $1.0 | 6 | Joakim Soria | $4.2 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 40 | $1.0 | 6 | Andrew Miller | $1.3 | $1.5 | -0.5 ▼ | |
| 41 | $1.0 | 6 | Anthony Bass | $2.1 | $1.5 | -0.5 ▼ | |
| 42 | $1.0 | 6 | Jeremy Jeffress | $2.2 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Few K's and the xwOBA stokes some fear, but results! |
| 43 | $1.0 | 6 | Tanner Rainey | $3.2 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 44 | $1.0 | 6 | Freddy Peralta | $5.9 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 45 | $1.0 | 6 | Matt Foster | $4.0 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 46 | $1.0 | 6 | Will Smith | -$1.2 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 47 | $1.0 | 6 | Nick Anderson | $5.5 | $11.0 | -10.0 ▼ | Both Anderson and Pomeranz injured is a true curse. |
| 48 | $1.0 | 6 | Tony Watson | $1.1 | $0.5 | 0.5 ▲ | Quietly logging sub-1.00 ERA & WHIP, best SF RP. |
| 49 | $1.0 | 6 | Gregory Soto | $1.1 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 50 | $1.0 | 6 | Diego Castillo | -$1.1 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 51 | $1.0 | 6 | Ken Giles | -$0.5 | $0.5 | 0.5 ▲ | Working his way back. |
| 52 | $1.0 | 7 | Adam Ottavino | $1.3 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 53 | $1.0 | 7 | Mychal Givens | $3.0 | $0.5 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 54 | $1.0 | 7 | Hansel Robles | -$0.8 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ |
Was improving, but has yielded 2 ER in 2 of his last 3 outings.
|
| 55 | $1.0 | 7 | Zack Britton | $2.2 | $1.5 | -0.5 ▼ | Won't be closer upon return, but still many HLDs when back. |
| 56 | $1.0 | 7 | David Phelps | $3.7 | $0.0 | 1.0 ▲ | |
| 57 | $1.0 | 7 | Trevor May | $2.1 | $0.5 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 58 | $1.0 | 7 | Carlos Estevez | $2.4 | $0.5 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 59 | $0.5 | 8 | Yusmeiro Petit | $0.5 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 60 | $0.5 | 8 | Nick Wittgren | $1.7 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 61 | $0.5 | 8 | Miguel Castro | $0.7 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 62 | $0.5 | 8 | Ross Detwiler | $2.2 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 63 | $0.5 | 8 | Greg Holland | $0.7 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 64 | $0.5 | 8 | Craig Stammen | $0.4 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 65 | $0.5 | 8 | Jake McGee | $3.0 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 66 | $0.5 | 8 | Tyler Clippard | $3.6 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 67 | $0.5 | 8 | Blake Treinen | $1.9 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 68 | $0.5 | 9 | Amir Garrett | $1.2 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 69 | $0.5 | 9 | Blake Taylor | $1.6 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 70 | $0.5 | 9 | John Gant | $2.2 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 71 | $0.5 | 9 | Jalen Beeks | $5.8 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | Forearm injury suffered on Tuesday night? Edgar Garcia? |
| 72 | $0.5 | 9 | Yoshihisa Hirano | $0.2 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | 2020 debut yielded 2 K's, clean IP. Could find closer work. |
| 73 | $0.5 | 9 | Peter Fairbanks | $2.6 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 74 | $0.5 | 9 | Evan Marshall | $2.9 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 75 | $0.5 | 9 | Joely Rodriguez | $1.7 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 76 | $0.5 | 9 | Yency Almonte | $3.7 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 77 | $0.5 | 9 | Scott Barlow | $3.0 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 78 | $0.5 | 9 | Jairo Diaz | $0.8 | $1.0 | -0.5 ▼ | |
| 79 | $0.5 | 9 | Trevor Gott | -$9.0 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 80 | $0.5 | 9 | Tyler Rogers | $2.3 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 81 | $0.5 | 9 | Alex Reyes | -$0.9 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 82 | $0.5 | 9 | Tim Hill | $0.3 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 83 | $0.5 | 9 | Matt Magill | $0.4 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 84 | $0.5 | 9 | Thomas Hatch | $0.8 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 85 | $0.5 | 10 | Dan Altavilla | $0.0 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 86 | $0.5 | 10 | Ryan Brasier | $1.2 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 87 | $0.5 | 10 | Ryan Borucki | $1.6 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 88 | $0.5 | 10 | Luke Jackson | $1.3 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 89 | $0.5 | 10 | Felix Pena | $3.2 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 90 | $0.5 | 10 | Rafael Dolis | $1.0 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 91 | $0.5 | 10 | Josh Tomlin | $2.2 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 92 | $0.5 | 10 | Ryan Helsley | $1.0 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | Scheduled for a bullpen session on Aug. 26. |
| 93 | $0.5 | 10 | Caleb Ferguson | $3.9 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 94 | $0.5 | 10 | Brad Boxberger | -$0.6 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 95 | $0.5 | 10 | Lucas Sims | $2.7 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 96 | $0.5 | 10 | Brusdar Graterol | $2.4 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 97 | $0.5 | 10 | John Curtiss | $0.5 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 98 | $0.5 | 10 | J.B. Wendelken | $1.5 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 99 | $0.5 | 10 | Buck Farmer | $0.3 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 100 | $0.5 | 10 | Edgar Garcia | -$0.3 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 101 | $0.5 | 10 | Chaz Roe | $2.6 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ |
Relief Pitcher Movers of Note
Liam Hendriks (RP, Athletics): Liam Hendriks surpasses Josh Hader for the top spot because his usage is as elevated as his form. He’s only given up two earned runs in 15 ⅓ IP, posting a sub-1.00 WHIP with an outstanding 32.1% K-BB%. The strikeouts are coming in droves while Liam has shown superior control to Hader, issuing just three unintentional free passes to Hader’s five despite throwing almost double the innings.
The A’s are happy to lean on him, with no other closer pitching more innings thus far. When you mix frequent usage with a league-leading saves tally, elite ratios, and plus strikeouts, you’ll often find your No. 1 RP. Perhaps even a Cy Young award?
Jake Diekman says in shortened season with relievers playing such a major role, he could see Liam Hendriks getting Cy Young consideration if he continues on as he has been.
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) August 22, 2020
Hector Neris (RP, Phillies) & Brandon Workman (RP, Phillies): Héctor Neris continues to struggle, surrendering seven earned runs (10 runs) over his last five appearances through Aug. 22. With a measly 7/5 K/BB ratio and a frightful .455 BABIP, it’s no surprise that Philadelphia felt pressed into making a move for relief help.
Enter: Workman, who promptly absorbed the loss in his first game in a Phillies uniform on Aug. 22. And while he managed a save on Aug. 23, it came with an earned run and three baserunners. His .483 BABIP refuses to be outdone by Neris’ mark, so there’s certainly an argument for regression to help both of them in the long run.
Unfortunately, we don’t have a long run in 2020 and the poor command will lead to batted balls of a higher quality. And both have a walk rate above 13%! At least Neris has a .342 xwOBA, far better than Workman’s .379 mark (but still troubling).
Brandon Kintzler (RP, Marlins): While Kintzler’s 4.84 FIP/4.17 xFIP through Aug. 25 isn’t setting the world on fire, he’s got six saves and a win to his name alongside sturdy command. Only seven strikeouts in 12 ⅓ IP won’t help, but a career 6.32 K/9 means that’s par for the course. But just three walks in that span is also expected (2.19 BB/9, career 2.33) alongside the 59.5% groundball rate (56.3%). With a first-strike rate over 70%, let’s see if Kintzler keeps on attacking and inducing poor contact en route to strong value in 2020.
Jordan Romano (RP, Blue Jays): Romano's last three appearances have garnered two saves and a win for fantasy teams (and the Blue Jays, of course). He’s more than earned the shot, as his electrifying slider that he’s throwing 61.3% of the time next to a casual 96-mph fastball has produced an overall 19.4% swinging-strike rate and just one earned run over 14 innings.
Anthony Bass wasn’t available last night for #BlueJays when Jordan Romano got the save. Bass is available today. Jays comfortable with either saving games/in leverage per Charlie Montoyo.
— Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnicholsonsmith) August 25, 2020
Pair those whiffs with a healthy 58.6% groundball rate and a digestible 9.3% walk rate and you’ve got a budding star. The .214 BABIP and 94.3% strand rate will regress some, but the underlying picture is that of a strong bullpen arm.
Daniel Bard (RP, Rockies): Absolutely call it a comeback. Bard was a force for Boston back in 2010-11, setting a team record with 25 consecutive scoreless appearances and hurling triple-digit heat before falling off at the end of ‘11 and failing as a starting pitcher in ‘12. He would be DFA’d in ‘13 and lost all semblance of command in subsequent years before retiring in 2017.
But 2020 saw him sign with the Rockies and earn a spot on the 40-man with solid command at camp. Now he has two saves and a beautiful 15/1 K/BB ratio across 13 frames. With both Wade Davis and Scott Oberg injured, Jairo Diaz got the first crack but command woes sank his stock. On Monday night, Carlos Estevez got out of a seventh-inning jam and pitched the eighth before Bard secured the save. In case you were wondering, the man can still bring the heat:
Daniel Bard 99 on the gun?? pic.twitter.com/RN6OimttKk
— Jared Carrabis (@Jared_Carrabis) August 25, 2020
David Phelps (RP, Brewers): Phelps is Milwaukee’s eighth-inning man behind Josh Hader, running alongside Devin Williams to keep the setup innings running smoothly. Phelps did yield a two-run homer on Aug. 23 -- his only homer surrendered this year through 12 innings -- but carries a strong 17/2 K/BB ratio with four holds and two wins for the Brew Crew.
Like other successful pitchers in 2020, Phelps is throwing his fastball less (40%) with a heavy cutter at 38.5% and a curve around 21.5%. Even with Hader being a beast, Phelps is yet another middle-relief/setup arm that offers plus K's and ratios in 5x5 leagues.
***Keep an eye out for Matt Barnes and Richard Rodriguez rising, with RichRod looking like the head of Pittsburgh's committee. At least, he's the only one there that you'll want to roster right now.
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