RADIO
We are days away from the official start of summer, and that means baseball's halfway mark approaches! Bullpens remain volatile monsters and the trade deadline draws closer so be sure you have the closer heirs on the roster and/or watch list. In the meantime, my top 101 RP Baller Ranks are geared towards traditional 5x5 roto leagues with some 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 past month. April is so yesterday.
This article comes complete with a Baller Ranks google sheet 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.
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Top 101 Relief Pitchers for Fantasy Baseball - Week 12
| Tier | Player | Rank | (+/-) | EV | $ | $PV | Trend | Notes |
| 1 | Josh Hader | 1 | 0 | 6.0 | 15.0 | 15.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 1 | Liam Hendriks | 2 | 1 | 4.9 | 14.0 | 14.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 1 | Craig Kimbrel | 3 | 1 | 6.0 | 14.0 | 13.5 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 1 | Aroldis Chapman | 4 | -2 | -2.2 | 13.5 | 14.0 | -0.5 ▼ | More runs, more walks, K spike down |
| 2 | Matt Barnes | 5 | 0 | 2.0 | 12.0 | 12.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Still big Ks, results, but ER in 3 of last 4 |
| 2 | Raisel Iglesias | 6 | 0 | 0.4 | 12.0 | 12.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 2 | Edwin Diaz | 7 | 0 | 6.1 | 12.0 | 11.5 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 2 | Kenley Jansen | 8 | 0 | 3.7 | 11.0 | 10.0 | 1.0 ▲ | |
| 2 | Ryan Pressly | 9 | 0 | 1.8 | 9.0 | 9.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Not his fault few SV opps coming |
| 2 | Mark Melancon | 10 | 0 | 0.7 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Harder contact coming in lately |
| 2 | Brad Hand | 11 | 3 | 0.8 | 7.5 | 5.0 | 2.5 ▲ | Rebounded well with a 10-SV window |
| 3 | Alex Reyes | 12 | 3 | -1.3 | 5.5 | 5.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 3 | Emmanuel Clase | 13 | 3 | 3.0 | 5.0 | 4.5 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 3 | Richard Rodriguez | 14 | -3 | 2.6 | 5.0 | 7.5 | -2.5 ▼ | PIT w/ fewer SV opps than HOU |
| 3 | William Smith | 15 | -3 | 0.2 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Job safe as Chris Martin scuffles |
| 3 | Hector Neris | 16 | -3 | -1.5 | 4.5 | 5.0 | -0.5 ▼ | 2 HBP in June 16 SV, 4 ER in previous 2 gms |
| 3 | Jordan Romano | 17 | 0 | 2.8 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 3 | Daniel Bard | 18 | 0 | 4.3 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 0.0 ▬ | High Ks, low BBs, could be traded |
| 4 | James Karinchak | 19 | 0 | 0.8 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Poor end to May, lights out last 6 games |
| 4 | Lucas Sims | 20 | 2 | 5.2 | 4.0 | 3.5 | 0.5 ▲ | Looks solid as CIN closer w/ Antone out |
| 4 | Yimi Garcia | 21 | -1 | 0.0 | 3.5 | 4.0 | -0.5 ▼ | Getting shaky, could be traded |
| 4 | Lou Trivino | 22 | 1 | 2.4 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 0.0 ▬ | Getting lion's share of OAK SVs |
| 4 | Ian Kennedy | 23 | N/A | -0.5 | 3.5 | 0.0 | 3.5 ▲ | Back off IL in time to build trade value |
| 4 | Tyler Rogers | 24 | 1 | -0.1 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 4 | Jake McGee | 25 | -4 | 1.7 | 3.0 | 3.5 | -0.5 ▼ | Looks better than Rogers, don't let go |
| 4 | Diego Castillo | 26 | 0 | 2.7 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 0.0 ▬ | TB remains committee, he's the chair |
| 4 | Kendall Graveman | 27 | N/A | -1.2 | 3.0 | 0.0 | 3.0 ▲ | Back off IL, some rust but back in 9th |
| 5 | Hansel Robles | 28 | 0 | 0.4 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 5 | Jake Diekman | 29 | -5 | -1.9 | 2.0 | 3.0 | -1.0 ▼ | Walks up, few SVs to Trivino but could flip |
| 5 | Taylor Rogers | 30 | -1 | 4.2 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 5 | Giovanny Gallegos | 31 | -1 | 4.8 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Good no matter what hat he wears |
| 5 | Joakim Soria | 32 | -1 | 0.3 | 1.5 | 2.0 | -0.5 ▼ | ARZ can't win, not a plus ratios/K guy |
| 5 | Paul Fry | 33 | 1 | 1.7 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 0.0 ▬ | Few opps but 1A to Sulser's 1B |
| 5 | Austin Adams | 34 | 1 | -0.3 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 6 | Cole Sulser | 35 | 3 | 1.9 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 6 | Gregory Soto | 36 | 3 | 1.6 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 6 | Jose Cisnero | 37 | 5 | 4.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 6 | Josh Staumont | 38 | 5 | -0.4 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | 3 ER in 4 IP since coming off IL |
| 6 | Blake Treinen | 39 | 6 | -0.9 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 6 | J.P. Feyereisen | 40 | -8 | -2.2 | 1.0 | 1.5 | -0.5 ▼ | |
| 6 | Ryan Tepera | 41 | 7 | 7.6 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Kimbrel overshadows this great run |
| 6 | Scott Barlow | 42 | 7 | 3.3 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Necessary fireman for KC |
| 6 | Seth Lugo | 43 | 20 | 3.1 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 6 | Cristian Javier | 44 | -7 | -0.4 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 0.0 ▬ | Got 4 IP SV, long RP stints w/ Ks |
| 6 | Yusmeiro Petit | 45 | 5 | 0.1 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 6 | Chad Green | 46 | -6 | -0.3 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 6 | Pete Fairbanks | 47 | 12 | 2.3 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | 2 SVs in past week, will chip in |
| 6 | Jonathan Loaisiga | 48 | -7 | 2.8 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 6 | Chris Martin | 49 | 4 | 0.3 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Should be fine but Loss in 2 of last 3 |
| 6 | Victor Gonzalez | 50 | 5 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 7 | Anthony Bass | 51 | 5 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 7 | Aaron Bummer | 52 | 5 | 0.1 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 7 | Collin McHugh | 53 | N/A | 4.4 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 ▲ | Solid multi-inning RP role, big Ks |
| 7 | Jesus Luzardo | 54 | -21 | -2.8 | 1.0 | 1.5 | -0.5 ▼ | Doesn't look comfy out of 'pen yet |
| 7 | Garrett Whitlock | 55 | 3 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 7 | Matt Wisler | 56 | N/A | 0.4 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 ▲ | TB trades for RP, you target RP |
| 7 | Garrett Crochet | 57 | 22 | 2.1 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.5 ▲ | The big K flamethrower is back |
| 7 | Rafael Montero | 58 | -12 | 2.3 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 8 | Greg Holland | 59 | -8 | -0.6 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Tough loss on June 16, hard to hold |
| 8 | Emilio Pagan | 60 | 5 | 1.3 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 8 | Mike Mayers | 61 | 5 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.5 ▲ | Likely CL if Iglesias is traded |
| 8 | Brad Boxberger | 62 | 16 | 1.9 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 8 | Stefan Crichton | 63 | 1 | -1.2 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 8 | Jorge Alcala | 64 | 5 | -0.1 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 9 | Josh Sborz | 65 | -18 | -2.3 | 0.5 | 1.0 | -0.5 ▼ | Favorite for SVs if Kennedy dealt |
| 9 | Carlos Estevez | 66 | 6 | 0.1 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 9 | Taylor Clarke | 67 | 3 | 3.1 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 9 | Tanner Scott | 68 | -1 | 3.6 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 9 | Devin Williams | 69 | 2 | 4.3 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 9 | Trevor May | 70 | -10 | -4.2 | 0.5 | 1.0 | -0.5 ▼ | Command is off, wouldn't pivot from Diaz |
| 9 | Kyle Zimmer | 71 | 3 | 2.3 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 9 | Tyler Matzek | 72 | 4 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 9 | Anthony Bender | 73 | N/A | 2.8 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | Throwing heat for MIA, future closer? |
| 10 | Cesar Valdez | 74 | -13 | 0.1 | 0.5 | 1.0 | -0.5 ▼ | |
| 10 | Andrew Chafin | 75 | 2 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 10 | A.J. Minter | 76 | -3 | -0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 10 | Demarcus Evans | 77 | -33 | -1.6 | 0.5 | 1.0 | -0.5 ▼ | Hope for future but not ready for 9th |
| 10 | Brent Suter | 78 | 2 | -0.9 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 10 | Tyler Duffey | 79 | 16 | 1.2 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 10 | Hirokazu Sawamura | 80 | N/A | -0.6 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | Getting more high-leverage spots |
| 10 | Keynan Middleton | 81 | 1 | -0.1 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 11 | Craig Stammen | 82 | 1 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 11 | Jose Alvarado | 83 | 1 | -2.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 11 | Jacob Barnes | 84 | 1 | -2.4 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 11 | Sam Howard | 85 | 1 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 11 | Tanner Rainey | 86 | 1 | -0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 11 | Rex Brothers | 87 | 1 | -0.3 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 11 | Nick Sandlin | 88 | N/A | 3.1 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | Wicked whiffs rising in CLE 'pen |
| 11 | Amir Garrett | 89 | N/A | -1.3 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | 1-out SV followed by another HR |
| 11 | Joely Rodriguez | 90 | -36 | -1.2 | 0.5 | 1.0 | -0.5 ▼ | |
| 11 | Jarlin Garcia | 91 | -1 | 1.7 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 11 | Steve Cishek | 92 | -1 | 2.0 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 11 | Ranger Suarez | 93 | -1 | 1.6 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 11 | Kyle McGowin | 94 | N/A | 2.9 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | Stepping up Ks, ERA/WHIP trimmer |
| 12 | Dylan Floro | 95 | -27 | 0.1 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 12 | Daniel Ponce de Leon | 96 | -3 | -0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 12 | Miguel Diaz | 97 | -3 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 12 | Nick Wittgren | 98 | -2 | -0.1 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 12 | Jeffrey Springs | 99 | -2 | -0.1 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 12 | Wander Suero | 100 | -1 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 12 | Codi Heuer | 101 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ |
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