RADIO
We're cruising through May and yet there are still so many uncertain, fluid bullpens to peruse in my 2021 Relief Pitcher Baller Ranks, which provides a weekly peek at my top 101 relievers moving forward. It's finally time to ramp it up to true 101 Dalmatians form. This is 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.
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. Please note that those stats are exported from Fangraphs.
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Top 101 Relief Pitchers for Fantasy Baseball
| Rank | (+/-) | $ | Tier | Player | EV | PV | Trend | Notes |
| 1 | 0 | $15.0 | 1 | Josh Hader | $6.4 | $15.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 2 | 0 | $15.0 | 1 | Aroldis Chapman | $7.8 | $15.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 3 | 0 | $13.5 | 2 | Liam Hendriks | $0.4 | $13.5 | 0.0 ▬ | Still fantastic control, but a clear step behind JH & AC |
| 4 | 0 | $13.0 | 2 | Craig Kimbrel | $3.9 | $13.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Cruising towards a top-5 RP year, perhaps even top 3 |
| 5 | 3 | $12.0 | 2 | Matt Barnes | $8.8 | $10.0 | 2.0 ▲ | Can't deny his elite whiffs and walk rate, clear closer role |
| 6 | -1 | $12.0 | 2 | Raisel Iglesias | -$0.5 | $11.5 | 0.5 ▲ | 2.70 SIERA; .364 BABIP (career .282); 25% HR/FB (13.2%); hold |
| 7 | -1 | $11.5 | 2 | Edwin Diaz | $4.0 | $11.0 | 0.5 ▲ | His back looks fine, pair of SVs & 3 scoreless appearances |
| 8 | -1 | $10.0 | 2 | Kenley Jansen | -$1.1 | $10.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 9 | 0 | $9.0 | 2 | Ryan Pressly | $4.1 | $8.5 | 0.5 ▲ | Had yielded a run in 2 straight to open May, 2 clean since |
| 10 | 1 | $8.0 | 2 | Mark Melancon | $6.1 | $8.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Just keeps getting it done, who needs 100 mph anyway? |
| 11 | 1 | $7.5 | 2 | Richard Rodriguez | $4.3 | $7.5 | 0.0 ▬ | Only 2 Ks in last 4.2 IP, still dominant though |
| 12 | -2 | $6.5 | 3 | Brad Hand | $0.8 | $8.0 | -1.5 ▼ | 0.00 ERA in April, now yielded runs in 3 straight; troubling |
| 13 | 0 | $5.5 | 3 | William Smith | $4.0 | $6.0 | -0.5 ▼ | Martin back, Shane Greene signed; how long is 9th 100% Smith's? |
| 14 | 0 | $5.0 | 3 | Hector Neris | $0.0 | $5.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Had a clean save on May 12, encouraging to see |
| 15 | 0 | $4.5 | 3 | Emmanuel Clase | $3.8 | $4.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 16 | 0 | $4.5 | 3 | Cesar Valdez | $5.8 | $4.5 | 0.0 ▬ | BABIP'd by the Mets on May 11, still the guy for BAL |
| 17 | 0 | $4.5 | 3 | Ian Kennedy | $3.0 | $4.5 | 0.0 ▬ | Late-round RP gem, 10 saves is already ProfitLand |
| 18 | 0 | $4.5 | 3 | Jake McGee | $1.4 | $4.0 | 0.5 ▲ | He still looks like "the guy" contrary to Rogers talk |
| 19 | 2 | $4.0 | 3 | Alex Reyes | $2.3 | $3.5 | 0.5 ▲ | His May: 6.2 IP, 1 H/ER, 6 BB, 10 K; hard to hit, hard to control |
| 20 | -1 | $4.0 | 3 | Yimi Garcia | -$0.7 | $4.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 21 | 1 | $3.5 | 4 | James Karinchak | $6.5 | $3.5 | 0.0 ▬ | Still looks to be Cleveland's 1B, but incredible Ks & ratios |
| 22 | 1 | $3.5 | 4 | Kendall Graveman | $5.5 | $3.0 | 0.5 ▲ | Great form hasn't stopped in May, looking great |
| 23 | -3 | $3.5 | 4 | Taylor Rogers | $2.3 | $3.5 | 0.0 ▬ | Ugly first 2 outings as MIN closer; no SV opps since May 3 |
| 24 | 1 | $2.5 | 4 | Lucas Sims | -$0.8 | $2.0 | 0.5 ▲ | Has 2 wins in his last 2 games, 3 IP, 5 Ks, looking sharper |
| 25 | 1 | $2.5 | 4 | Gregory Soto | $0.8 | $2.0 | 0.5 ▲ | His bloated WHIP is frightful, grounders help erase walks |
| 26 | 1 | $2.5 | 4 | Jake Diekman | $4.9 | $2.0 | 0.5 ▲ | The lefty has seen more SV opps of late, it can flip quickly |
| 27 | 5 | $2.5 | 4 | Stefan Crichton | $2.3 | $1.5 | 1.0 ▲ | It may not be pretty but he's the best ARZ's got right now |
| 28 | -4 | $2.0 | 5 | Lou Trivino | $0.0 | $2.5 | -0.5 ▼ | |
| 29 | 23 | $2.0 | 5 | Jordan Romano | $1.1 | $1.0 | 1.0 ▲ | Notched his first save of 2021 on May 11, long time coming |
| 30 | -1 | $2.0 | 5 | Josh Staumont | $2.2 | $2.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Nice to see 1 IP, 3 K after brief stumbles; KC has lost 10 straight |
| 31 | -1 | $2.0 | 5 | Giovanny Gallegos | $3.8 | $2.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Tagged for 2 ER on May 8, 0 Ks in last 3.1 IP; shrug it off |
| 32 | 1 | $1.5 | 5 | Daniel Bard | -$0.8 | $1.5 | 0.0 ▬ | Bard blew his 3rd save, Givens looks better; when's the flip |
| 33 | 1 | $1.5 | 5 | Tejay Antone | $0.8 | $1.5 | 0.0 ▬ | They're not overworking him, still worth 5x5 deployment |
| 34 | 4 | $1.0 | 6 | Michael Kopech | $7.4 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | May start one of Friday's doubleheader games |
| 35 | 20 | $1.0 | 6 | Daniel Hudson | -$0.5 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | With Hand hitting a wall, keep Hudson near |
| 36 | 9 | $1.0 | 6 | Mychal Givens | -$1.3 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | COL saves aren't enticing, but I think Bard needs a break |
| 37 | -1 | $1.0 | 6 | Drew Pomeranz | $1.7 | $1.5 | -0.5 ▼ | |
| 38 | -3 | $1.0 | 6 | Rafael Montero | $0.2 | $1.5 | -0.5 ▼ | 1B for SEA; ER(s) in 2 straight; relegated to SVHLD territory |
| 39 | -11 | $1.0 | 6 | Pete Fairbanks | $0.9 | $2.0 | -1.0 ▼ | 2 shutout frames, 4 Ks since returning; will he see some 9th? |
| 40 | 0 | $1.0 | 6 | Chad Green | $3.1 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 41 | 2 | $1.0 | 6 | Tyler Rogers | $1.6 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Racking up holds, no shots at SVs though; 1 K in 5 IP thru May |
| 44 | 4 | $1.0 | 6 | Jose Alvarado | $2.1 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Control can disappear but electric arm in late frames |
| 43 | 1 | $1.0 | 6 | J.P. Feyereisen | $2.8 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 42 | -5 | $1.0 | 6 | Devin Williams | -$1.8 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Pitched in 4 of last 5 after a week off; good not great |
| 45 | N/A | $1.0 | 6 | Jeffrey Springs | $2.5 | $0.0 | 1.0 ▲ | 2 W, 1 L, 1 SV, 1 HLD across 6 May appearances, doing it all |
| 46 | -5 | $1.0 | 7 | Garrett Whitlock | $2.4 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 47 | -8 | $1.0 | 7 | Mike Mayers | -$0.4 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Recovered with 2 clean holds after a couple rough outings |
| 48 | -6 | $1.0 | 7 | Austin Adams | $2.0 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 49 | 0 | $1.0 | 7 | Joely Rodriguez | $2.7 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 50 | 0 | $1.0 | 7 | Trevor May | $3.9 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Still a premier insurance policy, but Edwin looks fine now |
| 51 | 2 | $1.0 | 7 | Andrew Kittredge | $1.6 | $0.5 | 0.5 ▲ | Notched the save on May 9, in the TB mix |
| 52 | 2 | $1.0 | 7 | Jonathan Loaisiga | $2.4 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 53 | N/A | $1.0 | 7 | Aaron Bummer | $2.3 | $0.0 | 1.0 ▲ | Started slow but 7 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 9 K since April 24 |
| 54 | -3 | $1.0 | 7 | Dylan Floro | $4.4 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 55 | -9 | $1.0 | 8 | Sean Doolittle | $1.8 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 56 | 2 | $1.0 | 8 | Tanner Scott | $0.0 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 57 | 5 | $1.0 | 8 | Yusmeiro Petit | $4.5 | $0.5 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 58 | N/A | $1.0 | 8 | Blake Treinen | $4.2 | $0.0 | 1.0 ▲ | |
| 59 | N/A | $1.0 | 8 | Chris Martin | $0.1 | $0.0 | 1.0 ▲ | He's back, now will he mix back into save opps as RHP? |
| 60 | -1 | $0.5 | 8 | Jorge Alcala | -$0.5 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 61 | 2 | $0.5 | 8 | Sam Coonrod | $2.2 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 62 | 2 | $0.5 | 9 | Emilio Pagan | -$0.3 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 63 | 2 | $0.5 | 9 | A.J. Minter | $4.2 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 64 | 2 | $0.5 | 9 | Hansel Robles | -$0.6 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 65 | 4 | $0.5 | 9 | Paul Fry | $5.5 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | Lefty's last 3 K-BB%: 10.2% in '19, 20.4% in '20, now 26.3% |
| 66 | -19 | $0.5 | 9 | Greg Holland | -$2.6 | $1.0 | -0.5 ▼ | |
| 67 | 0 | $0.5 | 9 | Chris Rodriguez | $1.6 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 68 | -12 | $0.5 | 9 | Victor Gonzalez | $1.6 | $1.0 | -0.5 ▼ | |
| 69 | N/A | $0.5 | 9 | Alex Colome | -$2.2 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | 3 straight scoreless appearances over 4 IP, can he regain 9th? |
| 70 | N/A | $0.5 | 9 | Scott Barlow | $5.5 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | For the Redditor that wants to see Barlow here |
| 71 | N/A | $0.5 | 10 | Tyler Chatwood | $3.4 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 72 | -4 | $0.5 | 10 | Craig Stammen | $1.3 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 73 | N/A | $0.5 | 10 | Aaron Loup | $2.7 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 74 | N/A | $0.5 | 10 | Tanner Rainey | -$2.8 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | Been scuffling but Hand being shaky raises speculation |
| 75 | N/A | $0.5 | 10 | Michael Fulmer | $3.9 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 76 | N/A | $0.5 | 10 | Ryan Helsley | $2.0 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | Casually chucking triple-digit gas, command must improve |
| 77 | -7 | $0.5 | 10 | Darwinzon Hernandez | -$0.1 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 78 | -21 | $0.5 | 10 | Tyler Duffey | -$1.4 | $1.0 | -0.5 ▼ | Don't think MIN would turn to him even if Rogers imploded |
| 79 | N/A | $0.5 | 10 | Ryan Weathers | $3.7 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | In the 'pen for now, providing solid multi-inning outings |
| 80 | N/A | $0.5 | 10 | Josh Sborz | $2.9 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | Snuck in a May 6 save, healthy Ks |
| 81 | N/A | $0.5 | 10 | Tyler Matzek | $1.2 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | Matzek coming alive, 5 IP, 0 ER, 8 K in May |
| 82 | N/A | $0.5 | 10 | Rex Brothers | $1.8 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 83 | N/A | $0.5 | 11 | David Phelps | $2.8 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 84 | -23 | $0.5 | 11 | J.B. Bukauskas | $0.2 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | There were high hopes at first but he's got a ways to go |
| 85 | -25 | $0.5 | 11 | Jeurys Familia | $1.7 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 86 | N/A | $0.5 | 11 | Duane Underwood Jr. | $3.0 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 87 | N/A | $0.5 | 11 | Adam Plutko | $4.3 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 88 | N/A | $0.5 | 11 | Ryne Stanek | $1.8 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 89 | N/A | $0.5 | 11 | Nick Wittgren | -$0.8 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 90 | N/A | $0.5 | 11 | Joakim Soria | -$1.1 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | Yielded 2 ER in 2 of his last 3, not reclaiming 9th with that |
| 91 | N/A | $0.5 | 12 | Heath Hembree | $2.2 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 92 | N/A | $0.5 | 12 | Miguel Castro | $2.2 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 93 | N/A | $0.5 | 12 | Andrew Chafin | $2.0 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 94 | N/A | $0.5 | 12 | Wander Suero | $0.7 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | Activated off IL May 12, had been reliable arm |
| 95 | N/A | $0.5 | 12 | Anthony Castro | $2.7 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 96 | N/A | $0.5 | 12 | John King | $2.0 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 97 | N/A | $0.5 | 12 | Adam Cimber | $2.3 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 98 | N/A | $0.5 | 12 | Cole Sulser | $2.0 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 99 | N/A | $0.5 | 12 | Jimmy Nelson | $2.5 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 100 | N/A | $0.5 | 12 | Hunter Strickland | $1.5 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 101 | N/A | $0.5 | 12 | Garrett Crochet | $1.1 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | Off the IL, let's see if the early wave of whiffs returns |
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