What’s poppin, Razzpimples? Bullpen update time!
Don’t forget, the Razzball Bullpen Chart is manned by yours truly and updated like every single second (not really, but I stay on top of thangs for the most part). And directly below, you’ll see a current look at the Top 15 RP (in both 5×5 standard leagues and 6×6 saves/holds leagues) via our Player Rater. Subscribers also get access to the incredibly handy Relievonator Game Log, which tracks every single relief appearance from the last 14 days, including what inning they were called upon and how many batters/pitches they faced/threw.
Alrighty, let’s do it to it. (Note: Monday’s games do not factor in)
Player Rater Top 15 (5×5 Standard)
| # | Name | Team | Pos | $ | $/G | PS | PA/IP | $W | $SV | $ERA | $WHIP | $K | R% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | David Bednar | PIT | RP | 22 | 9.5 | 7 | 16 | 3.5 | 10.8 | 3.9 | 3.6 | -0.8 | 100 |
| 2 | Felix Bautista | BAL | RP | 21.1 | 4.6 | 6.7 | 19 | 3.5 | 12.5 | 2.8 | -3.1 | 4.4 | 100 |
| 3 | Yennier Cano | BAL | RP | 17.8 | 8.4 | 5.8 | 20 | -0.8 | 0.7 | 6.3 | 11.1 | -0.5 | 58 |
| 4 | Paul Sewald | SEA | RP | 16.8 | 2.2 | 5.5 | 19 | 3.5 | 10.8 | -1.5 | 2.4 | 0.6 | 100 |
| 5 | Josh Hader | SD | RP | 16 | 4 | 5.3 | 17 | -5.2 | 14.2 | 3.2 | 2.9 | -0.1 | 100 |
| 6 | Devin Williams | MIL | RP | 15.5 | 10.5 | 5.1 | 12 | 7.9 | 4.1 | 2.5 | 2.2 | -2.2 | 100 |
| 7 | Alexis Diaz | CIN | RP | 14.6 | 4.5 | 4.9 | 15 | -0.8 | 10.8 | 0.2 | 1.4 | 1.9 | 100 |
| 8 | Emmanuel Clase | CLE | RP | 13.1 | -2.5 | 4.5 | 21 | -0.8 | 19.3 | -0.6 | -2.1 | -3.6 | 100 |
| 9 | Carlos Estevez | LAA | RP | 12.9 | 0 | 4.4 | 19 | -0.8 | 10.8 | 2.8 | -1.1 | 0.2 | 100 |
| 10 | Jordan Romano | TOR | RP | 12.7 | 0.8 | 4.3 | 16 | 3.5 | 12.5 | -1.6 | -2 | -0.8 | 100 |
| 11 | Michael Tonkin | ATL | RP | 10.4 | 10.5 | 3.7 | 22 | 7.9 | -4.3 | 1.9 | 6.2 | -2.2 | 0 |
| 12 | Alex Lange | DET | RP | 10.1 | -0.7 | 3.6 | 17 | -0.8 | 7.5 | 3.2 | -0.5 | -0.1 | 100 |
| 13 | A.J. Puk | MIA | RP | 9.9 | 2.6 | 3.6 | 15 | 7.9 | 5.8 | -1 | -2.3 | -1.5 | 100 |
| 14 | Camilo Doval | SF | RP | 9.5 | -0.1 | 3.4 | 16 | -0.8 | 9.1 | 0.7 | -0.4 | -0.1 | 100 |
| 15 | Matt Moore | LAA | RP | 9.3 | -0.2 | 3.4 | 20 | 7.9 | -4.3 | 3.2 | 3.1 | -1.5 | 0 |
Player Rater Top 15 (6×6 w/ Holds)
| # | Name | Team | Pos | $ | $/G | PS | PA/IP | $W | $SV | $ERA | $WHIP | $K | $HLD | R% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Felix Bautista | BAL | RP | 18 | 12.5 | 5.6 | 19 | 3.3 | 13.6 | 2.1 | -2.1 | 4.1 | -3.9 | 100 |
| 2 | David Bednar | PIT | RP | 17.8 | 16.5 | 5.6 | 16 | 3.3 | 11.6 | 2.8 | 2.5 | 0.6 | -3.9 | 100 |
| 3 | Emmanuel Clase | CLE | RP | 16 | 8.6 | 4.8 | 21 | 0.4 | 21.7 | -0.4 | -1.4 | -1.3 | -3.9 | 100 |
| 4 | Yennier Cano | BAL | RP | 15.7 | 14.2 | 4.7 | 20 | 0.4 | -0.5 | 4.5 | 7.7 | 0.8 | 1.9 | 58 |
| 5 | Josh Hader | SD | RP | 15.6 | 13.4 | 4.6 | 17 | -2.5 | 15.6 | 2.3 | 2.1 | 1 | -3.9 | 100 |
| 6 | Paul Sewald | SEA | RP | 14.1 | 10.2 | 4 | 19 | 3.3 | 11.6 | -1 | 1.7 | 1.5 | -3.9 | 100 |
| 7 | Alexis Diaz | CIN | RP | 13.6 | 13.1 | 3.8 | 15 | 0.4 | 11.6 | 0.3 | 1.1 | 2.4 | -3.1 | 100 |
| 8 | Carlos Estevez | LAA | RP | 13.3 | 9.2 | 3.7 | 19 | 0.4 | 11.6 | 2.1 | -0.7 | 1.3 | -2.3 | 100 |
| 9 | Jordan Romano | TOR | RP | 13.1 | 10.3 | 3.6 | 16 | 3.3 | 13.6 | -1 | -1.3 | 0.6 | -3.1 | 100 |
| 10 | David Robertson | NYM | RP | 10.9 | 11.5 | 2.6 | 17 | -2.5 | 7.5 | 3.1 | 1.1 | 1.3 | -0.6 | 100 |
| 11 | Devin Williams | MIL | RP | 9.9 | 15.2 | 2.2 | 12 | 6.2 | 3.5 | 1.9 | 1.6 | -0.4 | -3.9 | 100 |
| 12 | Alex Lange | DET | RP | 8.9 | 7.6 | 1.8 | 17 | 0.4 | 7.5 | 2.3 | -0.3 | 1 | -3.1 | 100 |
| 13 | Bryan Abreu | HOU | RP | 8.6 | 4.3 | 1.6 | 20 | 0.4 | -2.5 | 2.4 | 1.9 | 3.6 | 1.9 | 57 |
| 14 | Camilo Doval | SF | RP | 8.5 | 8.6 | 1.6 | 16 | 0.4 | 9.6 | 0.6 | -0.2 | 1 | -3.9 | 100 |
| 15 | Erik Swanson | TOR | RP | 8 | 3.5 | 1.4 | 20 | 3.3 | -6.6 | 2.4 | 2.8 | 1.5 | 3.6 | 2 |
Saves Savants
Steady As They Go:
- Here I go switching up the format again. This one might stick. For real. Anywho, Will Smith kept his resurgent 2023 season going strong, pumping out 3 SV and 6 K in 2.1 hitless/walkless/scoreless innings. Negative FIP and SIERA this week, too. I dee kay what’s gotten into this guy, but he has all the confidence of Bruce Bochy as the Rangers closer. Part of me keeps expecting the wheels to fall off…though other than a slightly below average BB%, the Statcast is in fine shape. Can’t fathom why his Yahoo rostership is at just 65% right now.
- Felix Bautista had 3 SV as well, striking out seven but walking three in 3.1 scoreless. Never fun to see basically a walk per inning. Had the good stuff going still: 53.8 K%, 20 SwStr%, and 38.3 CSW%. Up to #1 on the 6×6 Player Rater and #2 on the standard 5×5.
- Alexis Diaz continues to pummel opposing batters. Had 3 SV and 8 K in four innings of one-run ball. Bummer is he walked four. The BB% has drastically improved so far this season, so hopefully this doesn’t become a regular habit of his again in 2023. Not that you need to worry too much if it does; simply put, man is elite enough to overcome it.
- Ryan Pressly also had 3 SV, striking out six and allowing a couple runs in 4 IP. Maybe you expected more than 7 SV at this point in the season, but as long as he’s healthy he’ll end the year among the league leaders.
- Carlos Estevez had 2 SV and 2 K in 2.1 IP. Did allow 4 H, a solo HR, and 1 BB, however. He’s been excellent this year so none of this is overly concerning at the moment. I will say I’m not too stoked about his 12th percentile hard hit rate.
- Evan Phillips had 2 SV and 3 K in three scoreless. Pretty much definitely the sole closer at this point, leading the team with 7 SV (compared to Graterol’s 2). I don’t even remember the last time Graterol had a save. Okay, I’ll go look; brb. There it is. April 29. Phillips had been on paternity leave not long before that.
- Ryan Helsley had 1 W and 1 SV this week. Have faith! The saves will come. He had 4 K in 3.1 hitless/walkless/scoreless.
- Just 1 SV for Camilo Doval but love to see 4 K in just 1.2 IP. No hits/runs/walks.
On The Rise:
- Craig Kimbrel has earned himself some headline status this week, y’all! Had 1 W and 1 SV with 7 K in three scoreless. Only blemish was 1 H allowed. Bro was nasty enough to have a negative FIP (-1.37) and SIERA (-0.26) this week. I guess 70 K% and 43.5 CSW% will do that. Jose Alvarado is starting a throwing program very soon, so we’ll see how that goes. For now, I’d feel safe with Kimbrel. Looking pretty vintage with a 14.4 K/9 on the year. Your league might be snoozin on him: 51% rostered in Yahoo and only 14% in ESPN.
- Wandy Peralta scored back-to-back saves over the weekend. Bullpen been used quite a bit so this could have been more of a “whoever was ready to go” situation rather than a “Peralta’s our closer now” situation. Keep a close eye on thangs, but Holmes is starting to look a little better, King is doing great (aside from last outing), and Hamilton is still going strong. Still, worthy enough of On The Rise labeling.
- Kendall Graveman is certainly outpitching Reynaldo Lopez at the moment. The Grave Man had 2 SV and 2 K in three scoreless. He’s rocking a five-inning scoreless streak. ReyLo, on the other hand, has allowed hits/runs in three of his last six outings.
- Miguel Castro had 1 W and 1 SV with 4 K in 2.2 scoreless. Chafin has been on the struggle bus a little bit of late, so Castro seems like the next man up for the Snakes. Castro has had major walks issues in the past, but so far he hasn’t been too bad at all in 2023. If that can stick, Chafin could be in some trouble. For now, I’m calling this a co-closer situation.
- Dylan Floro might take a step forward with Puk hitting the IL. Tanner Scott could as well. Who knows? What fun!
Trending Down:
- Jason Adam had 2 SV (also a BS+L) in 2.2 IP. Had no walks, 20% whiffs, and 36.7 CSW%. Man is good. He’s in this section through no fault of his own: his run at closer is over now that Pete Fairbanks has been activated. I still like to hold a guy like Adam, though; he’ll get saves here and there and should have sparkling ratios/Ks. Dubs even.
- Kenley Jansen got sh*t on by my Cardinals, so I for one love to see it. In 2 IP, his line was boo boo: 5 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 1 HR, 4 BB, 1 K. None of that is any good. Obviously. Wouldn’t say he’s in jeopardy yet, but Chris Martin might see the next save chance anyway.
- Pierce Johnson allowed 2 H, 2 ER, 1 HR, and 3 BB in 2 IP. Did pick up a save, at least. He started off real strong but has taken a couple steps back in recent weeks. Sooner or later he’s gonna lose this job methinks.
- Goes without saying, but Andrew Chafin is on the downward trend. Though, really, his line this past week wasn’t awful: 2.1 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, and 3 K.
- Raisel Iglesias has seen better days. So has his fastball velocity. I’m officially worried after he averaged just 88.7 MPH on it a couple nights back. Allowed 6 H, 4 ER, 1 HR, and 1 BB in 1.1 IP this week.
- Emmanuel Clase may lead the league in saves, but boy have they not been pretty lately. His line this week: 3 IP, 2 SV, 1 BS, 1 L, 6 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 2 K. No walks is nice I suppose. Them hits/runs, tho. Going back to the last 14 days, Clase has allowed 8 H, 5 R, and 4 ER in 7 IP. Also tied for the most saves (5) in that time. I dunno, I don’t think he’s in much danger of demotion or anything, but the strikeouts are gone and obviously he’s not as dominant as he has been.
- Reynaldo Lopez is being outclassed by Graveman at the moment. ReyLo took an L but did score 2 HLD. Might be more holds than saves coming his way, especially with Liam Hendriks on the cusp of getting back to the bigs.
- A.J. Puk is trending down cuz he’s on the IL. Latest report seems to be he’s at least a couple weeks away while dealing with “dead arm” issues.
Holds Heroes
Steady As They Go:
- Both Hector Neris and Bryan Abreu led the way in holds this week with three apiece. Neris struck out four in 3.1 scoreless, while Abreu struck out five in three scoreless. Neris also walked a couple. Abreu is the best arm in this pen and has worked his way up to #1 setup man status as a result. Peep these stats this week for Abreu: 34 SwStr% and 46.8 CSW%. Locked in.
- Yennier Cano had 2 HLD (and 1 SV) this week, striking out three in 3.2 scoreless. I saw this on Twitter so I can’t take credit for it, but Yennier Can0.00 still has a perfect ERA on the year. In 19.2 IP, he’s allowed four hits and has a 22:0 K:BB. You read that right. 22:0. Amazing. He’s got two offerings with >30% whiff rate: changeup (42.2%) and slider (33.3%). He throws almost exclusively a sinker and that change, but every now and then he slings a pretty nasty slider. His ratios are so good he’s now the #3 RP on the 5×5 Player Rater. Me oh my.
- Adam Ottavino had 2 HLD, striking out a pair in three hitless/walkless/scoreless.
On The Rise:
- Lucas Sims — remember him? — is very quietly kicking a sizeable amount of ass in 2023. If not for Diaz, Sims would probably be one of the hottest closer commodities on the wire. Sims had 2 HLD and has yet to allow a run in 10.1 IP this year. He’s only allowed a couple of hits but has walked six while striking out 13.
- Brock Stewart might be a target for you deep league or AL-only folks. Jax has slipped a little lately, and Stewart has a 0.00 ERA with a 10.6 K/9 on the year. Grabbed 2 HLD this week on back-to-back days.
- Carlos Hernandez is making what waves can be made in the Royals pen. Has some serious zip on the heater. He’s struck out seven in his last 6 IP. His biggest problem is the fact he’s on KC. Only has 2 HLD over the last couple weeks.
- Josh Sborz had 2 HLD this week, striking out four in four scoreless. Had a nice 27 SwStr% as well. I’d say he’s leapfrogged Leclerc in the pecking order but is still behind Hernandez and Burke for now.
Trending Down:
- Speaking of Jose Leclerc, I’ll take my L there. I thought he’d be a Top 20 closer and he’s ain’t even a Top 20 player on the Rangers probably. He’s a drop.
- Griffin Jax allowed 4 H, 4 R, 2 ER, and 4 BB this week. Woof. We’ll see how things go in the neat future, but Stewart is doing all he can to be the #2 setup man behind Lopez.
- A.J. Minter allowed 5 H, 4 ER, and 3 BB in 2.1 IP. That calls for another “woof.” Iglesias is looking like he ain’t exactly healthy and Minter ain’t looking much better. ERA has ballooned to 8.05 on the year. For the unedumucated, that’s almost a run per inning pitched. Once more: woof. Expect Lee and Anderson to handle more high-leverage innings at least for the time being.
- Ryan Tepera is so bad the Angels finally had enough. He’s been DFA’d. If you need a desperate replacement and Matt Moore is taken, look at Chris Devenski, who once upon a time was in the closer mix with Arizona and is having a strong start to his 2023 season.
- Rafael Montero has fallen out of setup duties after another crappy week. Montero got hit with two losses, allowing 4 H, 4 ER, and 1 BB in 2 IP. With the way Abreu and Neris are pitching, I’m not sure Montero is worth your time anymore.
- Ron Marinaccio got 1 HLD this week but hadn’t recorded one since April 20. He’s allowed six hits in his last five outings, allowing 4 ER in the process. He’s got Holmes, King, Peralta, and Hamilton ahead of him. Drop.
- Another blown save to his name this week for Aroldis Chapman. However, some good news is the K stuff came back (3 K in 2 IP) and his FB velo was back up to averaging 100.7 MPH. Maybe he finds himself in “On The Rise” next week.
I specialize in bullpens and I used to do some fantasy hockey as well here at Razzball. Find me on Twitter: @jkj0787. DMs are always open for questions, comments, concerns, complaints, etc. Odds are good I’m drinking black coffee, dark beer, or some form of bourbon at any given time of day.
