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Join me for the first May edition of my 2021 Relief Pitcher Baller Ranks, which provides a weekly peek at my top 70 relievers moving forward. 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 more.
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 and are good through May 4.
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Top 70 Relief Pitchers for Fantasy Baseball
| Rank | (+/-) | $ | Tier | Player | EV | PV | Trend | Notes |
| 1 | 0 | $15.0 | 1 | Josh Hader | $5.0 | $15.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Still the King, comfortably crushing batters |
| 2 | 1 | $15.0 | 1 | Aroldis Chapman | $6.4 | $13.5 | 1.5 ▲ | Best strikeout rate; scoreless season. Easy case for #1 |
| 3 | -1 | $13.5 | 1 | Liam Hendriks | -$0.4 | $13.5 | 0.0 ▬ | It hasn't been cozy, but he's clearly still extremely good |
| 4 | 0 | $13.0 | 2 | Craig Kimbrel | $3.1 | $13.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Allowed his first ER of 2021 on May 4, don't waver |
| 5 | 0 | $11.5 | 2 | Raisel Iglesias | -$1.2 | $12.0 | -0.5 ▼ | Raisel this high up says more about RPs in general |
| 6 | 0 | $11.0 | 2 | Edwin Diaz | $2.7 | $11.5 | -0.5 ▼ | Díaz says his back feels much better, hope just 1 off night |
| 7 | 0 | $10.0 | 2 | Kenley Jansen | $0.0 | $10.0 | 0.0 ▬ | No SV since 4/24 is flukey; 3 BB, 1 K in 3 IP since is "hmm" |
| 8 | 0 | $10.0 | 2 | Matt Barnes | $7.1 | $9.5 | 0.5 ▲ | 2020's struggles are well behind him, whiffs galore |
| 9 | 0 | $8.5 | 3 | Ryan Pressly | $2.9 | $8.0 | 0.5 ▲ | Strong CSW, solid control; everything's fine here |
| 10 | 0 | $8.0 | 3 | Brad Hand | $0.8 | $7.5 | 0.5 ▲ | The single-digit IP tally sticks out but he's doing his job |
| 11 | 0 | $8.0 | 3 | Mark Melancon | $6.1 | $7.0 | 1.0 ▲ | Looks mighty comfy as SD's lockdown closer |
| 12 | 1 | $7.5 | 3 | Richard Rodriguez | $4.0 | $6.0 | 1.5 ▲ | If he were on a good team then the spotlight would be on |
| 13 | 1 | $6.0 | 4 | William Smith | $3.1 | $6.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Chris Martin set to return, how long until a committee? |
| 14 | 2 | $5.0 | 4 | Hector Neris | $2.4 | $5.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Needed 40 pitches for SV on 5/3, he's still their man |
| 15 | 5 | $4.5 | 4 | Emmanuel Clase | $3.5 | $3.0 | 1.5 ▲ | May not get every SV opp but zero ER deserves love |
| 16 | 1 | $4.5 | 4 | Cesar Valdez | $5.2 | $4.5 | 0.0 ▬ | You can be hesitant but April alone has made him ++EV |
| 17 | 6 | $4.5 | 4 | Ian Kennedy | $2.5 | $2.5 | 2.0 ▲ | Zero walks so far, he looks outstanding |
| 18 | -3 | $4.0 | 5 | Jake McGee | $0.4 | $5.5 | -1.5 ▼ | 1 Coors implosion and suddenly Kapler is wavering? Rude |
| 19 | -1 | $4.0 | 5 | Yimi Garcia | -$2.0 | $4.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Career 1.68 HR/9 will rear its head sometimes |
| 20 | -1 | $3.5 | 5 | Taylor Rogers | $1.1 | $3.5 | 0.0 ▬ | MIN 9th might be cursed, yielded a run in 2 straight |
| 21 | 0 | $3.5 | 5 | Alex Reyes | $1.6 | $2.5 | 1.0 ▲ | Hate the walks but hitters have yet to make him or STL pay |
| 22 | 0 | $3.5 | 5 | James Karinchak | $5.5 | $2.5 | 1.0 ▲ | I know this isn't exactly what you wanted but those K's <3 |
| 23 | 15 | $3.0 | 5 | Kendall Graveman | $4.2 | $1.0 | 2.0 ▲ | He is SEA's best RP but they'll use him in 8th if needed |
| 24 | 0 | $2.5 | 5 | Lou Trivino | $0.9 | $2.5 | 0.0 ▬ | The 1A closer in OAK but don't get greedy |
| 25 | 2 | $2.0 | 5 | Lucas Sims | -$0.7 | $2.0 | 0.0 ▬ | If MIN 9th is cursed then CIN 9th is the apocalypse |
| 26 | 2 | $2.0 | 5 | Gregory Soto | $0.9 | $2.0 | 0.0 ▬ | DET won't generate tons of chances, Soto's the guy |
| 27 | 2 | $2.0 | 5 | Jake Diekman | $3.8 | $2.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Don't let him go, the southpaw SVs will trickle in |
| 28 | 0 | $2.0 | 5 | Pete Fairbanks | $0.0 | $0.0 | 2.0 ▲ | TB may not quickly go to him in 9th but no Castillo tracks |
| 29 | 2 | $2.0 | 5 | Josh Staumont | $2.3 | $2.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Ate damage in non-SV opp, still the favorite |
| 30 | 0 | $2.0 | 5 | Giovanny Gallegos | $3.5 | $2.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Fantastic non-closing RP worth rostering in 5x5 |
| 31 | 1 | $1.5 | 5 | Rafael Dolis | -$0.2 | $1.5 | 0.0 ▬ | May soon share 9th with Romano, can't let go though |
| 32 | 3 | $1.5 | 5 | Stefan Crichton | $2.6 | $1.5 | 0.0 ▬ | Not eye-popping but has done enough, few threats |
| 33 | -7 | $1.5 | 6 | Daniel Bard | -$1.0 | $2.0 | -0.5 ▼ | 30-pitch, 2-BB SV on 5/5, walking the tightrope |
| 34 | -1 | $1.5 | 6 | Tejay Antone | $0.5 | $1.5 | 0.0 ▬ | Looked mortal on 5/2, came back w/ 2 scoreless IP on 5/5 |
| 35 | -10 | $1.5 | 6 | Rafael Montero | -$0.2 | $2.0 | -0.5 ▼ | Another week of Graveman working tougher hitters |
| 36 | -2 | $1.5 | 6 | Drew Pomeranz | $2.0 | $1.5 | 0.0 ▬ | Another solid RP anchor for ratios, Ks, despite no SVs |
| 37 | 0 | $1.0 | 6 | Devin Williams | -$2.9 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Still hasn't recaptured 2020's brilliance, ceiling remains |
| 38 | 0 | $1.0 | 6 | Michael Kopech | $6.9 | $0.0 | 1.0 ▲ | Back to the 'pen, but you start him no matter what role |
| 39 | 1 | $1.0 | 6 | Mike Mayers | -$0.2 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Brief IL stint done, solid setup man in LAA |
| 40 | 1 | $1.0 | 6 | Chad Green | $4.1 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Another prime FrankenAce candidate |
| 41 | 1 | $1.0 | 6 | Garrett Whitlock | $3.1 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Ditto |
| 42 | 10 | $1.0 | 6 | Austin Adams | $1.9 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Last 7 gms: 6.1 IP, 0 H, 2 BB, 14 K - 5x5 FrankenAce candidate |
| 43 | 7 | $1.0 | 6 | Tyler Rogers | $1.6 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Kapler says Rogers could see more SV opps, look out |
| 44 | 4 | $1.0 | 6 | J.P. Feyereisen | $3.5 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | 15 scoreless IP, struck out the side on 5/4. HLD stud |
| 45 | -6 | $1.0 | 7 | Mychal Givens | -$0.8 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Showing improved control, golden compared to Bard |
| 46 | -3 | $1.0 | 7 | Sean Doolittle | $1.9 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | May fall into some LHP SVs if opponents align for it |
| 47 | -11 | $1.0 | 7 | Greg Holland | -$3.2 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | 5 consecutive clean apps, but hard to hold w/ Staumont |
| 48 | -4 | $1.0 | 7 | Jose Alvarado | $1.5 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | 2-gm suspension over, back to 100-mph southpaw-ing |
| 49 | -3 | $1.0 | 7 | Joely Rodriguez | $2.5 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Oft-forgotten setup man w/ healthy command |
| 50 | 5 | $1.0 | 7 | Trevor May | $3.4 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Would step into 9th if Díaz's back tightness acts up |
| 51 | 0 | $1.0 | 7 | Dylan Floro | $4.0 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Has been steady while Bass can't quite string it together |
| 52 | 5 | $1.0 | 7 | Jordan Romano | $0.5 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Control looks to be back, will they give him some 9th? |
| 53 | 0 | $0.5 | 7 | Andrew Kittredge | $0.3 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | Could see SV opps w/ no Castillo & Fairbanks just back |
| 54 | -1 | $1.0 | 8 | Jonathan Loaisiga | $3.2 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | High-leverage use yields handful of W & SV opps |
| 55 | 1 | $1.0 | 8 | Daniel Hudson | -$0.8 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | The No. 2 in Washington behind Hand |
| 56 | -9 | $1.0 | 8 | Victor Gonzalez | $1.0 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Hasn't looked as sharp since return from 2nd shot |
| 57 | 1 | $1.0 | 8 | Tyler Duffey | -$0.9 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Doesn't look 100% but Rogers scuffling may open door |
| 58 | 1 | $1.0 | 8 | Tanner Scott | -$0.3 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Few are bought in on Valdez, so Scott must hold value |
| 59 | 8 | $0.5 | 8 | Jorge Alcala | -$0.6 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | 2.72 SIERA and electric 16.8% SwStr rate, eventual closer? |
| 60 | 0 | $0.5 | 9 | Jeurys Familia | $1.1 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | Came in to clean up Díaz's shaky SV opp |
| 61 | -16 | $0.5 | 9 | J.B. Bukauskas | $1.3 | $1.0 | -0.5 ▼ | Plenty of time for Buka to earn the 9th, patience |
| 62 | 0 | $0.5 | 9 | Yusmeiro Petit | $3.4 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | Source of elite ratios over the years still humming |
| 63 | 0 | $0.5 | 9 | Sam Coonrod | $2.3 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | Healthy 17/2 K/BB ratio, 2 SVs in past week |
| 64 | -15 | $0.5 | 10 | Emilio Pagan | -$1.3 | $1.0 | -0.5 ▼ | Not worth most 5x5 leaguers attention with Mel cruising |
| 65 | -1 | $0.5 | 10 | A.J. Minter | $3.6 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | Likely slides down the hierarchy soon w/ Martin back |
| 66 | -1 | $0.5 | 10 | Hansel Robles | $0.8 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | Solid HLD option, Duffey/Alcala would likely leap Robles |
| 67 | -1 | $0.5 | 10 | Chris Rodriguez | $1.5 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | 3.1 shutout frames and the W on 4/28, stretching out |
| 68 | 0 | $0.5 | 10 | Craig Stammen | $0.7 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | Comes out for multi-inning apps if you target those |
| 69 | 0 | $0.5 | 10 | Paul Fry | $5.0 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | Multiple strikeouts in 5 of his last 6, crafty lefty |
| 70 | 0 | $0.5 | 10 | Darwinzon Hernandez | -$0.5 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | Four straight scoreless appearances; 8 K in 3.1 IP there |
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