What’s poppin’, Razzpimples?
Remember to bookmark that Razzball Bullpen Chart, y’all! I update it obsessively.
Also, if you’re a sub (you should be a sub…it’s great value), you get access to RP Projections and the super badass Relievonator Game Log tool, in addition to all the other awesome tools we have to offer. Hittertron and Streamonator, etc.
Let’s do it to it.
Note: All stats and Player Rater values are accurate through Sunday’s games.
Player Rater Top 15 (5×5 Standard)
| # | Name | Team | Pos | $ | $/G | PS | PA/IP | $W | $SV | $ERA | $WHIP | $K | R% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reed Garrett | NYM | RP | 28.4 | 27.1 | 9.1 | 15 | 18.6 | -1.5 | 4.3 | 0.5 | 5.5 | 0 |
| 2 | A.J. Minter | ATL | RP | 23.5 | 5.8 | 7.6 | 14 | 18.6 | -3.6 | 2.4 | 5.1 | 0.1 | 4 |
| 3 | Ryan Helsley | STL | RP | 21.8 | 3.4 | 7 | 15 | 3.3 | 15.2 | 1.5 | -0.1 | 1 | 100 |
| 4 | Kirby Yates | TEX | RP | 20.6 | 9.8 | 6.7 | 12 | 3.3 | 6.8 | 4.6 | 5.3 | -0.4 | 91 |
| 5 | Emmanuel Clase | CLE | RP | 18.4 | 1.7 | 6 | 14 | -1.9 | 13.1 | 4.1 | 2 | 0.1 | 100 |
| 6 | Clay Holmes | NYY | RP | 17.8 | 4.2 | 5.8 | 13 | -1.9 | 15.2 | 5 | -0.2 | -1.3 | 100 |
| 7 | Jason Foley | DET | RP | 17.6 | 4.1 | 5.7 | 13 | 3.3 | 15.2 | 2.1 | -3 | -0.8 | 99 |
| 8 | Craig Kimbrel | BAL | RP | 16.8 | 3.6 | 5.5 | 11 | 8.4 | 11 | -1.7 | -2.8 | 1 | 100 |
| 9 | Robert Suarez | SD | RP | 15.4 | 6.3 | 5 | 12 | -1.9 | 15.2 | 2.9 | 0.4 | -2.2 | 100 |
| 10 | Justin Slaten | BOS | RP | 14.5 | 10.6 | 4.8 | 16 | 3.3 | -1.5 | 5.1 | 7.5 | -0.8 | 8 |
| 11 | Kyle Finnegan | WSH | RP | 12.8 | 1.3 | 4.2 | 12 | -1.9 | 15.2 | 0.2 | 0 | -1.8 | 100 |
| 12 | Mason Miller | OAK | RP | 12.3 | 6.3 | 4.1 | 12 | -7 | 11 | 1.7 | 1 | 4.6 | 100 |
| 13 | Yimi Garcia | TOR | RP | 9.5 | -0.5 | 3.2 | 13 | -1.9 | 0.5 | 3.7 | 5.6 | 0.5 | 14 |
| 14 | Evan Phillips | LAD | RP | 8.6 | 0.2 | 2.9 | 12 | -7 | 13.1 | 2.9 | -1.5 | 0.1 | 100 |
| 15 | Shelby Miller | DET | RP | 8.5 | 1.6 | 2.9 | 13 | 8.4 | -3.6 | 0.7 | 2.9 | -0.8 | 37 |
Player Rater Top 15 (6×6 w/ Holds)
| # | Name | Team | Pos | $ | $/G | PS | PA/IP | $W | $SV | $ERA | $WHIP | $K | $HLD | R% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ryan Helsley | STL | RP | 25.2 | 14 | 6.9 | 15 | 5.9 | 20.5 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 1.6 | -5.8 | 100 |
| 2 | Reed Garrett | NYM | RP | 22.2 | 34.6 | 5.9 | 15 | 21.6 | -5.9 | 4.2 | 1.1 | 6 | -5.8 | 0 |
| 3 | Kirby Yates | TEX | RP | 22 | 20.4 | 5.8 | 12 | 5.9 | 7.3 | 4.5 | 5.7 | 0.3 | -2.8 | 91 |
| 4 | Jason Foley | DET | RP | 21.3 | 15.7 | 5.6 | 13 | 5.9 | 20.5 | 2 | -2.3 | -0.1 | -5.8 | 99 |
| 5 | Clay Holmes | NYY | RP | 21.2 | 15.7 | 5.6 | 13 | 0.7 | 20.5 | 4.9 | 0.4 | -0.5 | -5.8 | 100 |
| 6 | A.J. Minter | ATL | RP | 20.7 | 12.1 | 5.4 | 14 | 21.6 | -9.2 | 2.3 | 5.5 | 0.8 | -1.3 | 4 |
| 7 | Emmanuel Clase | CLE | RP | 20.4 | 11.5 | 5.3 | 14 | 0.7 | 17.2 | 4.1 | 2.5 | 0.8 | -5.8 | 100 |
| 8 | Robert Suarez | SD | RP | 18.8 | 19.2 | 4.8 | 12 | 0.7 | 20.5 | 2.9 | 1 | -1.4 | -5.8 | 100 |
| 9 | Craig Kimbrel | BAL | RP | 18.1 | 13.8 | 4.5 | 11 | 11.1 | 13.9 | -1.7 | -2.1 | 1.6 | -5.8 | 100 |
| 10 | Kyle Finnegan | WSH | RP | 16.3 | 12.7 | 4 | 12 | 0.7 | 20.5 | 0.2 | 0.6 | -1 | -5.8 | 100 |
| 11 | Mason Miller | OAK | RP | 12.9 | 17.7 | 2.8 | 12 | -4.6 | 13.9 | 1.7 | 1.5 | 5.1 | -5.8 | 100 |
| 12 | Justin Slaten | BOS | RP | 12.4 | 18.5 | 2.7 | 16 | 5.9 | -5.9 | 5 | 7.8 | -0.1 | -1.3 | 8 |
| 13 | Evan Phillips | LAD | RP | 10.7 | 11 | 2.1 | 12 | -4.6 | 17.2 | 2.9 | -0.8 | 0.8 | -5.8 | 100 |
| 14 | Yimi Garcia | TOR | RP | 10.1 | 7 | 1.9 | 13 | 0.7 | -2.6 | 3.6 | 6 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 14 |
| 15 | David Robertson | TEX | RP | 7.8 | 3.3 | 1.2 | 15 | 0.7 | -9.2 | 3.1 | 2.5 | 2.1 | 7.6 | 97 |
2024 SVHD Leaders
Everyone with 6+ SVHD in 2024
Weekly Saves Leaders
Everyone with 2+ SV over the Last 7
Jason Foley tied for the lead with 3 SV this week. Should be a pretty nice feller to have around ROS, whatever format you’re in.
Evan Phillips had 3 SV as well, striking out six in just 3 IP. Also in great shape ROS, cuz duh. It’s the Dodgers and he’s great at his job.
David Bednar had an ugly line but also a lot of red in that there heatmapped area. I like red. I’ve seen lots of worry over Bednar’s up-and-down-ness so for in 2024, but I really ain’t much worried at all. Under the hood, things are lookin fine. Buy low if you can!
Mason Miller kept doing Mason Miller things. Just an absurd line (3.1 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 8 K) along with a delicious coloration of red in the metrics area. This kid is the cream of the crop talent-wise, and playing for Oakland won’t damper his overall save totals too badly. Quite easily the best value of the 2024 fantasy baseball season so far, and I see no reason that doesn’t continue (aside from injury).
Hector Neris seems to have a hold on the primary closing gig for the Cubs now. It’s a bit shaky of a hold, but a hold nonetheless. Earned 2 SV and allowed just 1 ER, but you can see all the blue next to his name. His BB% this year has been atrocious. He’s gotta get that back on track if he wants to maintain high-leverage looks. And not only that, his HardHit% is not where you wanna see it. Oof.
Alexis Diaz hasn’t been, er, as good as I thought. You can really go all the way back to last year’s All-Star break with that sentence, even. His overall quality has just plummeted. Did at least get 2 SV this week without a run or walk, but also didn’t have a single K nor even swinging strike. He’s like the reverse Bednar, where the overall numbers/ratios look fine but the metrics don’t.
Justin Lawrence bagged 2 SV in two scoreless/walkless innings. He’s about as lame as it gets, but he’s a closer and worthy of fantasy attention.
Lots of other household names with 2 SV this week. My man Kyle Finnegan is still going strong, and he’s now up to 1 W, 9 SV, a 2.19 ERA, and 0.97 WHIP on the year. Slept on once again on draft only to be a fantasy beast. James McArthur and Robert Suarez also with 2 SV. The former has been a waiver savior, and the latter has been a bargain and a half, much like Finnegan.
Joel Payamps and Trevor Megill each had 1 SV (and 1 HLD) this week. Looks like a split job, which doesn’t matter for SVHD but is annoying in SV-only.
Weekly Holds Leaders
Everyone with 2+ HLD over the Last 7
Yennier Cano was on it like a Shakespearean sonnet this week: 4 HLD and 5 K in 5 IP. No walks, just three hits, and one run allowed. Nice swing-and-miss stuff, too. I’m trusting he can do stuff like this more often than not ROS.
Danny Coulombe gets forgotten, I feel like. Everyone’s focused on Cano while Coulombe is every bit as good, if not better. The H/9 is almost half of what Cano’s is, and the K/9 is a few ticks higher as well. If I’m picking between the two for fantasy, it’s gotta be Cano. Should have more holds. But IRL, gimme Coulombe. I feel like I’ve written that before? Maybe. I’ll probably forget and write the same thing again in a couple months.
Colin Holderman has somewhat stormed back onto the holds scene after 3 HLD this week. Y’all remember him from last year probably, and then he was hurt to start this year. I didn’t like him near as much heading into this year anyway cuz of that Aroldis guy, but the early numbers ain’t shabby at all: 6.2 IP, 1.35 ERA, 12.2 K/9. Worth a look in deeper formats.
Ryne Stanek also had 3 HLD. Kind of the poor man’s Brash this year, I guess. More on Brash later (it’s not good news, but then that’s good news for Stanek owners).
JoJo Romero and Andrew Kittredge are the only two dudes with 10 SVHD so far this year (all holds). Love to see it! Like I’ve said before, the Cardinals are the perfect kind of team where there could be barrels of holds coming, so both are pretty much must-own in all holds formats. Romero has been such a pleasant surprise as a Cardinals fan. Seems to be leaning on his slider a little bit more this year, to good results. Yet to give up a hit against it, and it’s got a 50% whiff rate. If you’re at a point where you’ve got to decide between one of the two, I’d go JoJo.
Enyel De Los Santos had himself a week! Earned 2 HLD while striking out eight in 3.1 scoreless innings. I’ve gotta say, I’m really surprised by the fall of Yuki Matsui. He’s fallen behind both EDLS and Wandy Peralta, who had quite a rough week. Maybe EDLS is the new leader of this pack. Matsui hasn’t had a hold since April 16 and the Ks have been nonexistent. He is [and has been] a drop.
Scott Barlow was on point: 3.2 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB (an intentional walk), and 6 K en route to 2 HLD. He’s been a little rocky, but ultimately the counting stats have been there (2 W, 8 SVHD).
Yimi Garcia earned two more holds, while Erik Swanson had just one. Wondering if Swanson can shake off some more rust to regain his elite status, or if Yimi has dethroned him given his stellar start to the season (1 W, 6 SVHD, 0.68 ERA, 0.53 WHIP). I wouldn’t panic yet if I had Swanson, but I might be squirmin in my seat a lil bit.
Lucas Erceg had the trifecta: 1 W, 1 SV, and 1 HLD. He’s been quite good this year. Now up to 1 W and 7 SVHD, with a 1.54 ERA and 1.11 WHIP. If he’s sitting on your wire, it’s hard to argue why you shouldn’t scoop him.
Weekly Blown Saves Leaders :'(
Everyone with 1+ BS over the Last 7
Hunter Gaddis blew a couple saves this week. Hard to lose faith after just a couple rough outings, but then again, Barlow and Cade Smith and Nick Sandlin are all pitching quite well of late.
Craig Kimbrel was doo doo this week, and then it turns out he got pulled due to some upper back tightness. I’m not terribly worried at the moment. He’s just day-to-day and the overall numbers this year have been pretty good. Sure, he’s gotten hit hard, but the K stuff is almost as good as it’s ever been. He’s still in a prime position for fantasy purposes ROS. For now, snag Cano if you can for vulture saves.
Yikes, yeah, that’s a 35.7 BB% from Aroldis Chapman for the week. Went from hella elite to hella mid hella fast. Hopefully just a blip and not a sign of some underlying injury or something.
Andrew Nardi shows up in this section for the second week in a row. I would bet you can drop him for something better on your wire, though I’ll also say he’s been solid overall after his disastrous first week or so. Strikeouts are in good shape and he’s kept earned runs off the board: 13 K and only 2 ER in his last 8.1.
Injury Updates
- Matt Brash had a scary setback in his last bullpen outing: elbow pain afterward. He’s going to see Dr. Keith Meister, which is all but a death sentence for ROS purposes. Maybe a miracle will happen, but I think we can officially kiss his 2024 season goodbye.
- Paul Sewald also had a setback: more oblique soreness. The report I read kinda downplayed it, at least, so maybe it’s really just a little bit of soreness, and good ol’ R&R will be the remedy. Given the nature of injuries this year, I’m not holding my breath. Hold onto your Ginkels.
- Jhoan Duran might be activated by the time you read this. Yay!!! In SVHD, you can hold Jax, but he’s gotta go in SV-only.
- Already mentioned Craig Kimbrel above. And like I said, snag Cano for interim saves if he’s on your wire.
That’s all for this week! Thanks for reading. Leave me a comment below so I feel all warm and fuzzy.
I specialize in bullpens, and I also do some fantasy hockey as well here at Razzball. Find me on Elon’s Disaster: @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.
Fairbanks could come off DL within the week. Saves only, redraft league. Want him or Tanner Scott?
Fairbanks by lightyears
Clase with his AL leading 9th save tonight. Sucks to be wrong.
Where’s the Arkansas brotherly love we used to have
Yo. I’m in a points league where everyone else undervalues RP and I clean up with it.
I have Bednar, who has been worth a measly 50 points. I can drop and pick up Finnegan.
Should I do it or hold a bit longer?
I’d hold for now
Currently holding Kopech and Jax, standard 5×5. Hoffman, Cleavinger, Erceg, and Cruz are on the wire. Would you make any moves yet or wait it out some more?
Jax can go now that Duran is back. I guess snag Hoffman.
My closers in my dynasty are finally coming together (technically a keeper with 12 teams and 27 keeper slots per team). I normally do not keep any closers and figure it out during the season- but this year i kept Sewald, Duran and Fairbanks.
The other teams have gotten better about picking up guys who would become closers over the past few years, so thought i needed to evolve with it. I ended up (from WW) with Kopech, Hoffman, and Vodnick for most of the season to fill in. Looks like Kopech will stick around as a low end closer (when those 3 are healthy, i just need a 4th to compete in saves during the playoffs- even if they are a 15-20 saves on the season guy).
I guess Vodnick is never getting a good look this year (and Hoffman looks like a 1F option, like there is a 1A, and he is the guy who gets saves just often enough to think it may be some level of timeshare)
Also- what do you think of Webb getting the save last night for the Os. Sign or just last semi trusted guy with reasonable rest (he has been good, but i feel like he is still behind Kimbrel, Cano, Perez, Coloumbre and maybe someone else too)
Nice. Kopech is frustrating cuz you know he’s got the goods. Just so up and down.
I like Webb but I don’t see consistent looks coming his way. Cano and Coulombe have been very busy, so they got a break.
Alexis Diaz has not been exciting the slightest – Would you prefer Foley, McArthur, Garrett, Miller or even Finnegan in a points league, 2 RPs??
Miller
Question: I have Duran coming off IL and don’t really want to carry 4 RP. 10 tm SVHD league, categories include IP and Total Ks, so I think there’s a benefit to having high volume guys. My current RPs are Bob Suarez, Jason Adam, and Kirby Yates. Who do I let go for Duran?
Guess it’s gotta be Suarez. He doesn’t have the Ks.
Mason Miller’s numbers are lolz. Dude is insane.
Dude has the league on Rookie mode. I honestly hope both he and the A’s decide he should just stay a closer his entire career.
JKJ!! Valuable stuff right here, thanks for this!
Relievers are so unpredictable … drafted Hader (we keep 6, drafted him in our 2nd round, therefore 8th round pick) … seemed like great value. Hader’s been less than stellar. However, got Miller and Suarez insanely late. Also have Kimbrel and scooped Yates off waivers a couple weeks ago.
A) Currently starting Hader, Miller and Yates – would you make any changes? I realize the situation fluid; in other words things can change quickly.
B)Strategy question – We only start 3 RP’s and I have 5 quality options. I don’t want to drop any of them but at the same time I would love to only have 4 to create a little more roster flexibility. Closers, for whatever reason, don’t hold much value in my league (so trade not a realistic option). In a 12 team league would you be willing to drop a proven option for a guy like Flaherty (14 k’s today!!) as an example. Or would you just sit tight and enjoy the depth.
Thanks for looking. look forward to your reply.
Take care
Thanks!
You’ve got good arms there. Tough to just drop one, but also sitting two on your bench every day doesn’t really do you any favors either. Gotta do something about that, so I’d try like hell to trade one or even two. I can’t decide who my drop would be if I absolutely had to do it…Suarez I guess. You’re already benching him and he hardly strikes anyone out. I don’t really see these elite ratios sticking around.
put a fork in Flaherty, he is never going to be the guy he was again. He is honestly still a big league 4/5 guy in a decent rotation. So if a guy on the fringe of the top 100 SP has value in your league, go for it, if not, we have all seen magical games from those types of players (same weird reason i am still holding onto Quintana in one of my leagues- every time i am about to cut him, he has a great game and i keep him only for him to still be the same guy he always has been- but in that league there is 140 SP eligable players owned- that does include about 10 prospects, 10-15 IL holds, 5ish releivers that are SP eligiable; so really closer to 120 actual SP are owned and used)
Hi JKJ,
I have no RPs. I have not been good at analyzing RPs. I for example waived Minter and Hunter. Mamosdad suggested that I take a look at picking up one RP based on your feedback.
A number of RPs are on the wire including Jojo Romero and Scott Barlow and Yimi Garcia and even Hunter. Are any of them must grab?
My streamers are Crochet, Kutter, Cristopher Sanchez and Jon Grey plus Javier.
another option is to waive a hitter.
Thoughts?
thanks so much!!!
I’m always short on bench bats to make room for excess arms. I usually only have one, actually. If at all. So if you can spare a bench bat or two, do it. Otherwise, I could probably lose Sanchez if you need RP help. All of those names are good. I’d snag Romero and then one of the others if you can. Harvey would be my next pick, personally.
l love how all the experts wrote off Clase and Romano before the season even started. Everywhere I looked people were saying Clase was done and Romano was soon to be done. Truth is, Clase wasn’t in playing shape for most of last season. He got lazy in the off season, didn’t put the work in like he should have and his numbers slumped. But being the competitor that he is, Clase worked hard this past off season and he’s right back to where he was before. Shame on you doubters. As for Romano, not sure why he got so much hate this off-season. It’s very clear the Blue Jays prioritize him over anyone in their bullpen. So should everyone else.
Only reason I discounted them was for their price tag. Said so in my rankings. My teams all have Helsley instead :)
I wasn’t really speaking about you but if you dissed them too then you’re no different.
My tiny Clase blurb: “Clase could lead the league in saves once again, but his quality took a step back in 2023, so it remains to be seen if he can right that ship in 2024. He’s also kind of a deficit as far as strikeouts are concerned.” It’s bang on, not gonna lie.
My tiny Romano blurb: “You may be curious as to why Romano is down outside the Top 15, and to that my answer would be all about his price tag. The sixth RP off the board in Yahoo? That’s ridonk. He’s quite fine in a vacuum, but there are so many guys I’d rather have at cost than Romano.” Also bang on, it has to be said.
Bang on? More like dead wrong. They’re both elite. Nice try though.
<3