Rest of Season Relief Pitcher Rankings - May Update

We are more than six weeks deep into the 2019 MLB season, so we're whipping it around the horn for a Rest-of-Season update of our mixed rankings analysis. RotoBaller writers Nick Mariano, Pierre Camus, Bill Dubiel and Scott Engel want you to crush the competition and know that rankings can't end on draft day.

After the first month and a half of the season, most of the top relievers have remained where expected or drafted. There have naturally been some changes in a few roles, but the best guys have not been usurped or lost, making owners feel better about their reliever picks so far. In the middle and lower rungs of the ladder, though, there have been some alterations that may be even more reflected when we do this exercise again in June. So far, though, for the most part, if you spent up on a closer before the season began, you are content that you did so.

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Relief Pitcher Tiered Ranks - 5x5 Mixed Leagues (May)

In case you missed it, our very own "Big Pick Nick" Mariano was recently named the #1 overall most accurate industry expert ranker for the 2018 season. You can see his secret sauce below! Additionally, industry legend Scott Engel recently joined the RotoBaller team and provides his insights as well. Scott is an FSWA Hall Of Famer and award winner.

Rankings Analysis – Top Tiers

Tier One

This is a two-man club consisting of Edwin Diaz and Blake Treinen. In his first season in the National League, Diaz has remained the premier closer in the fantasy game even though his overall numbers are slightly down from last season. He has not blown any saves, but he has allowed an occasional HR in some key non-save situations. The ERA is up to 2.30 from 1.96 and his K and BB rates have been down a bit, but there is no major cause for concern. Treinen is a bit more concerning, as he has already blown two saves while his ERA has shot up to 2.70 from last season’s 0.78. He is not looking as dominant as he did last season, with a lowered K rate and a BB rate that has gone up to 4.95. Maybe that is why Pierre is the one to have him outside of his overall Top 70. Treinen could soon fall out of this tier and leave it to Diaz by himself.

Tier Two

Kenley Jansen is still racking up the strikeouts, but a 56.5 percent strand rate has led to a 4.42 ERA. His xFIP of 3.37 points to hope ahead and none of our experts have seemingly started to panic about him yet. Brad Hand has been perfect in 11 save chances and has a 1.53 ERA while stranding 89 percent of the runners on base. But Bill is not quite convinced on his dominance as everyone else, as he is the only one ranking Hand outside of the Top 100 overall. Maybe Hand’s 3.19 xFIP is the reason. Aroldis Chapman has the same ERA as last year (2.45) but he has also cut his walk rate to 1.84. Pierre holds him in higher regard than the rest of the staffers, 17 overall spots ahead of any other analyst. He is also highest on Josh Hader, who now has an unreal 19.09 K/9.

Tier Three

Nick and I are highest on Kirby Yates, who has converted 16 of 17 save chances to lead the majors so far. He has his K rate up to 16.65 per nine and his 1.35 ERA is backed up by a 1.84 xFIP. He could see himself in the next tier in June. Roberto Osuna has a 0.52 ERA so far even though he is striking out less than eight batters per game again this season. Felipe Vazquez is also off to a great ERA start at 0.48 and I may consider him more of a Tier Two starter than the others. Both Osuna and Vazquez will see ERA regression, but it may hit Osuna a bit more than Vazquez. Jordan Hicks has arrived as hoped, with a 1.88 ERA and nine saves in 10 chances. Bill is most sold on him with an overall rank just outside the Top 90 overall. Jose Leclerc fashioned a 7.27 ERA and lost his job. I seem to be the only one who believes he will not get it back any time soon. Shane Greene may be in this tier based on reputation only, as he leads the AL with 15 saves and has trimmed nearly four runs off his ERA. His advanced stats point to Greene being a true breakout closer rather than a fluke. Bill is not convinced though, ranking him outside of the Top 220 overall. Greg Holland has revived himself yet again to slip into the bottom of this tier.

Rankings Analysis – Middle Tiers

Tier Four

Craig Kimbrel leads this tier as some analysts have hope he will swoop in and reclaim his fireman role for a closer-needy team, but at this point, he may not be as effective if and when he returns. Rasiel Iglesias has openly complained about being used in non-save situations as he has endured some bumpy outings recently. Pierre strongly believes he will remain reliable, ranking him over 30 spots ahead of the next analyst. Will Smith is somewhat underrated and has already been perfect in 10 save opportunities. He could lose the job via trade later in the year, though. Alex Colome has converted all eight of his save chances, but they seem to be occasional more than consistent. He nearly went two weeks without a save in April. Hector Neris is the guy in Philly right now, but that could change at any time.

Tier Five

Here is where we start to see a drop-off in the quality of closers. Blake Parker has been the best guy in the Minnesota pen, with six saves and three holds. Ryan Brasier has emerged as the preferred closing option in Boston over Matt Barnes. Ty Buttrey was expected to move into the closer’s job when Cody Allen went down, but Hansel Robles has recently taken over the job and has been very effective so far, whereas he was very shaky as a setup guy and middle reliever in the past. Buttrey has been a top setup man with eight holds. Bill is much higher than the rest on Archie Bradley, but he is also second-highest on Holland, so his evaluation is apparently not based on him expecting Bradley to necessarily take over the closer’s job.

Tier Six

After a horrific spring, Mychal Givens has re-emerged to claim the sporadic save opportunities in Baltimore. Sergio Romo has become the same type of infrequent save guy in Miami. Ryan Pressly has yet to allow an earned run in 18 IP and has totaled eight holds. Adam Ottavino has eight holds as well with a 1.77 ERA. Diego Castillo has been a real model of versatility, tying for the league lead in holds with nine, adding four saves and fashioning a 1.71 ERA.

Rankings Analysis – Lower Tiers

Tier Seven

Seranthony Dominguez and Roenis Elias are hanging around as possible desperation closer types for the Phillies and Mariners, respectively. Trevor May was expected to contend for a closer’s job, but has performed well enough with five holds and a 2.37 ERA. Joe Jimenez has eight holds and 26 Ks in 16.1 IP, so his 4.41 ERA should drop soon. Chad Green has been such a disappointment so far the numbers are too ugly to even include here. Perhaps a recent stint in the minors will get him back into 2018 form. Luke Jackson has emerged as Atlanta’s new fireman and will be much higher in this space next month. Kyle Crick has been a pretty good bridge to Vazquez when needed, with six holds so far. John Brebbia may continue to rise, as he has 25 Ks in 22.2 IP and seven holds with a 1.99 ERA.

Tiers Eight and Nine

Wily Peralta was a frontrunner for the Kansas City closer’s job as the season opened, but it has become apparent you cannot trust anyone at the end of the Royals pen. Has anyone noticed Craig Stammen is tied for the league lead with 12 holds? Well, he also has four blown saves, so that is holding him down here. Tony Watson has been solid with seven holds and a 2.57 ERA, and you have to wonder if he would get some save chances if Will Smith is dealt. David Hernandez still continues to perform respectably in Cincinnati, with 23 Ks in 19.2 IP and six holds.

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