RADIO
It's the middle of August and the dust has settled from the Trade Deadline's chaos. There are still many fluid bullpens to explore, so let's get right into my top 101 RP Baller Ranks, which are geared towards traditional 5x5 roto leagues with potential mentions for hold candidates and ratio anchors.
I decided to leave off most injured players because throwing darts at potential return dates and roles is usually a poor use of time. Each name below comes with the weekly rank, their movement compared to last week, their current value with my salary-cap lens, Earned Value per Fangraphs, and then many have some notes with brief thoughts with the EV column (and others in the sheet to follow) pertaining to the time window after the All-Star break.
This article comes complete with a Baller Ranks google sheet (click it!) where you'll find the usual 5x5 categories, saves, holds, strikeout rates, Called + Swinging Strike rates, and so on for the past month. Please note that those stats are exported from Fangraphs.
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 19
| Tier | Player | Rank | (+/-) | EV | $ | $PV | Trend | Notes |
| 1 | Liam Hendriks | 1 | 0 | 4.1 | 15.0 | 15.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Field of Dreams aside, he's dominant |
| 1 | Raisel Iglesias | 2 | 0 | 5.1 | 14.5 | 14.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 1 | Josh Hader | 3 | 1 | -0.6 | 14.0 | 13.5 | 0.5 ▲ | Activated Thursday; 1 IP, 3 Ks, bueno |
| 2 | Matt Barnes | 4 | -1 | -1.2 | 12.5 | 14.0 | -1.5 ▼ | Hit a wall last week, given a few days off |
| 2 | Edwin Diaz | 5 | 2 | -0.3 | 12.0 | 12.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Those non-save situations are a plight |
| 2 | Mark Melancon | 6 | 3 | 2.9 | 12.0 | 8.5 | 3.5 ▲ | He'll be on many championship teams |
| 2 | Kenley Jansen | 7 | 4 | -1.2 | 10.0 | 8.0 | 2.0 ▲ | Stabilized this past week, still LAD's guy |
| 2 | Ryan Pressly | 8 | 0 | -0.4 | 9.5 | 10.0 | -0.5 ▼ | Another dry spell on SV opps lately |
| 2 | Lou Trivino | 9 | 4 | 1.0 | 8.5 | 5.5 | 3.0 ▲ | |
| 2 | William Smith | 10 | 0 | -0.7 | 7.5 | 8.0 | -0.5 ▼ | Blown save in 2 of last 3, still his job |
| 3 | Craig Kimbrel | 11 | -6 | 2.6 | 7.0 | 13.0 | -6.0 ▼ | Pretty clearly stuck in the 8th for now |
| 3 | Jake McGee | 12 | 5 | 3.3 | 7.0 | 5.0 | 2.0 ▲ | |
| 3 | Jordan Romano | 13 | 3 | -2.4 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 1.0 ▲ | |
| 3 | Daniel Bard | 14 | 0 | 0.8 | 5.5 | 5.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 3 | Emmanuel Clase | 15 | 0 | 1.9 | 5.5 | 5.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 3 | Alex Reyes | 16 | -4 | -0.5 | 5.0 | 6.0 | -1.0 ▼ | Ks down, BBs still way too high; danger |
| 3 | Diego Castillo | 17 | 1 | -0.5 | 5.0 | 4.5 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 3 | Ian Kennedy | 18 | 2 | -0.8 | 4.5 | 4.0 | 0.5 ▲ | Looks settled into the 9th for PHI now |
| 3 | Alex Colome | 19 | 50 | -0.1 | 4.5 | 1.0 | 3.5 ▲ | Back in the closer's chair, looks great |
| 4 | Gregory Soto | 20 | 1 | -0.1 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Amazing run of SV opps, Ks flowing in |
| 4 | James Karinchak | 21 | -2 | -2.2 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 4 | Cole Sulser | 22 | 1 | 1.1 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 ▲ | BAL 1A, medium leash length |
| 4 | Dylan Floro | 23 | 4 | 1.3 | 3.5 | 3.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 4 | Kyle Finnegan | 24 | 2 | 2.6 | 3.0 | 3.5 | -0.5 ▼ | WAS 1A, but the leash length is short |
| 4 | Tyler Clippard | 25 | 3 | 0.1 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 4 | Scott Barlow | 26 | 5 | 3.8 | 3.0 | 2.0 | 1.0 ▲ | |
| 5 | Tyler Rogers | 27 | -5 | 1.3 | 2.5 | 4.0 | -1.5 ▼ | |
| 5 | Giovanny Gallegos | 28 | 1 | 0.4 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 5 | David Bednar | 29 | -5 | 2.8 | 2.0 | 1.5 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 5 | Spencer Patton | 30 | 3 | 0.3 | 2.0 | 1.5 | 0.5 ▲ | Still seems like the TEX 1A, fragile standing |
| 5 | Greg Holland | 31 | 1 | -0.3 | 2.0 | 1.5 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 6 | Anthony Bender | 32 | 20 | -0.4 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 ▲ | |
| 5 | Jonathan Loaisiga | 33 | 10 | 2.3 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 ▲ | |
| 5 | Blake Treinen | 34 | 1 | 3.5 | 2.0 | 1.5 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 5 | Richard Rodriguez | 35 | 4 | 0.1 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 ▲ | If Smith keeps stumbling then door opens |
| 5 | Chad Green | 36 | 1 | 1.6 | 2.0 | 1.5 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 6 | Matt Wisler | 37 | 9 | 6.9 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 6 | Paul Sewald | 38 | 9 | 0.3 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 6 | Mychal Givens | 39 | 58 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 1.0 ▲ | |
| 6 | Devin Williams | 40 | 19 | 3.2 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 0.5 ▲ | Airbender fully operational again |
| 6 | Zack Britton | 41 | 36 | 0.6 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 1.0 ▲ | Doesn't look sharp but will see SV opps |
| 6 | Jake Diekman | 42 | -6 | 1.2 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 6 | Archie Bradley | 43 | 10 | 3.1 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 0.5 ▲ | Solid arm of late, peripherals ominous |
| 6 | Michael Lorenzen | 44 | 35 | 2.1 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 6 | Drew Steckenrider | 45 | 11 | -1.5 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 6 | Rowan Wick | 46 | N/A | 0.1 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 1.5 ▲ | Back in action, a favorite for saves |
| 6 | Kendall Graveman | 47 | 14 | 4.0 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 6 | Brent Suter | 48 | 10 | 3.0 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 6 | Brad Boxberger | 49 | 13 | 1.6 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 6 | Michael Fulmer | 50 | 15 | 2.3 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 1.0 ▲ | Converted two-inning save on Thurs. |
| 6 | Trevor May | 51 | 25 | 2.8 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 1.0 ▲ | |
| 7 | A.J. Puk | 52 | N/A | 0.4 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 ▲ | Electric arm when healthy, worth an RP slot |
| 7 | Cristian Javier | 53 | 1 | 1.7 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 7 | Brad Hand | 54 | -24 | -1.6 | 1.0 | 2.0 | -1.0 ▼ | |
| 7 | Andrew Kittredge | 55 | 0 | 3.1 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 7 | Yusmeiro Petit | 56 | -12 | -2.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 7 | Kyle Ryan | 57 | -6 | -1.5 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 7 | Alex Vesia | 58 | N/A | 3.2 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 ▲ | |
| 7 | Lucas Sims | 59 | N/A | -1.4 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 ▲ | Is there time to shake rust, join committee? |
| 7 | Codi Heuer | 60 | -10 | -2.5 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 7 | Joe Barlow | 61 | 23 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.5 ▲ | Still want Barlow long-term in TEX |
| 8 | Jose Cisnero | 62 | -28 | -1.2 | 1.0 | 1.5 | -0.5 ▼ | |
| 8 | Josh Staumont | 63 | 1 | 2.3 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 8 | Juan Minaya | 64 | N/A | 2.9 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 ▲ | Minnesota's number two behind Colomé |
| 8 | Austin Adams | 65 | -20 | 0.9 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 8 | Adam Ottavino | 66 | -9 | 1.7 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 8 | Brusdar Graterol | 67 | N/A | 2.4 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 ▲ | Getting plenty of usage, 2 Ws last week |
| 8 | Chris Stratton | 68 | 13 | -2.5 | 1.0 | 1.5 | -0.5 ▼ | |
| 8 | Jeffrey Springs | 69 | -29 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 9 | Tyler Duffey | 70 | -45 | -0.3 | 0.5 | 3.0 | -2.5 ▼ | |
| 9 | Seth Lugo | 71 | -30 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 1.0 | -0.5 ▼ | |
| 9 | Josh Taylor | 72 | -6 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 9 | Amir Garrett | 73 | -31 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 1.0 | -0.5 ▼ | |
| 9 | Hector Neris | 74 | 9 | 3.2 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | Looks much better but Kennedy has 9th |
| 9 | Chris Martin | 75 | 0 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 9 | Paul Fry | 76 | -9 | 2.0 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 9 | Jose Alvarado | 77 | -9 | -0.2 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 9 | Zack Littell | 78 | N/A | 1.6 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 10 | Sean Poppen | 79 | N/A | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 10 | Aaron Bummer | 80 | -8 | 1.9 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 10 | Garrett Whitlock | 81 | -8 | 2.8 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 10 | Joely Rodriguez | 82 | -12 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 10 | Tyler Matzek | 83 | 7 | 3.9 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | Racking up Holds lately, clean frames |
| 10 | Adam Cimber | 84 | N/A | 2.3 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 10 | Anthony Bass | 85 | -14 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 11 | Emilio Pagan | 86 | -12 | -1.3 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 11 | Garrett Crochet | 87 | -9 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 11 | Mike Mayers | 88 | -8 | -0.4 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 11 | Dillon Tate | 89 | -7 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 11 | Manuel Rodriguez | 90 | N/A | -2.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 11 | Jake Brentz | 91 | N/A | 0.2 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | Lefty earning high-leverage looks |
| 11 | Wandy Peralta | 92 | N/A | 1.2 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 12 | Aaron Loup | 93 | -5 | 2.1 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 12 | Andrew Chafin | 94 | -5 | 2.8 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 12 | JT Chargois | 95 | -3 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 12 | Yimi Garcia | 96 | -3 | -1.8 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 12 | Jarlin Garcia | 97 | 1 | -0.7 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 12 | Gabe Klobosits | 98 | N/A | 1.1 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 12 | Richard Lovelady | 99 | N/A | 1.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 12 | Heath Hembree | 100 | -62 | 0.1 | 0.5 | 1.5 | -1.0 ▼ | Well, it was a fun few days for Heath |
| 12 | Tim Hill | 101 | 0 | 2.2 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ |
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