What’s poppin, Razzpimples? Bullpen update time!
Yay, preseason content is over, so I can jump directly into recapping the last week-ish of action and provide y’all with some stellar, unparalleled analysis. It was a pretty bonkers week for bullpen dudes, with some surprising saves, disappointing outings, and lots and lots of holds to go around. We’ve already got 26 different players with saves (and no one yet has more than one). As for holds, we’ve got 51 different players with at least one, and then seven with two. So that craziness is what I mean with my bad “McGough Start” pun. McGough, whom I’ll touch on in just a wee bit, has been solid enough. (Late night edit: more like Scott McCoughingupdongs…McGough blew the save vs San Diego after giving up two solo bombs. So it’s been a McGough start after all…)
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 are your Top 10 most valuable RP over the last week, courtesy of our super cool and filterable Last 7 Days pitching stats page you should be using all the time, as well as a current look at the Top 15 RP (in both 5×5 and 6×6 leagues) via our Player Rater.
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 | $R | $HR | $RBI | $SB | $AVG | $W | $SV | $ERA | $WHIP | $K | R% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andrew Chafin | ARI | RP | 25.7 | 11.5 | 12.9 | 2 | 16.5 | 7.4 | 2.6 | -0.6 | -1.2 | 6 | |||||
| 2 | Enyel De Los Santos | CLE | RP | 22.9 | 2.7 | 11.4 | 3 | 16.5 | -2.3 | 4.3 | 3 | 0.4 | 0 | |||||
| 3 | Trevor Stephan | CLE | RP | 20.8 | 1.9 | 10.4 | 3 | -2.3 | 7.4 | 4.8 | 7.8 | 2 | 0 | |||||
| 4 | Peter Strzelecki | MIL | RP | 19.7 | 7.8 | 9.9 | 2 | 16.5 | -2.3 | 3.1 | 4.4 | -2.9 | 0 | |||||
| 5 | Jorge Lopez | MIN | RP | 16 | -0.1 | 8.1 | 3 | -2.3 | 7.4 | 4.3 | 6.8 | -1.2 | 100 | |||||
| 6 | Paul Sewald | SEA | RP | 15.9 | 5.4 | 8 | 2 | 16.5 | -2.3 | 3.1 | 0.5 | -2.9 | 100 | |||||
| 7 | Josh Hader | SD | RP | 14 | 4.3 | 7.1 | 2 | -2.3 | 7.4 | 3.1 | 4.4 | 0.4 | 100 | |||||
| 8 | Emmanuel Clase | CLE | RP | 14 | 4.3 | 7.1 | 2 | -2.3 | 7.4 | 3.1 | 4.4 | 0.4 | 100 | |||||
| 9 | Alexis Diaz | CIN | RP | 14 | 4.3 | 7.1 | 2 | -2.3 | 7.4 | 3.1 | 4.4 | 0.4 | 100 | |||||
| 10 | Andre Jackson | LAD | RP | 12.2 | 17.5 | 6.2 | 3 | -2.3 | 7.4 | 4.8 | 4.1 | -2.9 | 0 | |||||
| 11 | Rob Zastryzny | PIT | RP | 12.1 | 3 | 6.1 | 2 | 16.5 | -2.3 | 2.6 | -4.4 | -1.2 | 0 | |||||
| 12 | Ron Marinaccio | NYY | RP | 12.1 | 3.2 | 6.1 | 3 | -2.3 | -2.3 | 5.3 | 5.1 | 5.3 | 0 | |||||
| 13 | Nick Sandlin | CLE | RP | 11.7 | 2.8 | 5.9 | 2 | 16.5 | -2.3 | -3.8 | 1.6 | -1.2 | 0 | |||||
| 14 | Ryne Stanek | HOU | RP | 10.4 | 15.7 | 5.3 | 2 | 16.5 | -2.3 | 2.6 | -4.4 | -2.9 | 0 | |||||
| 15 | David Robertson | NYM | RP | 10.2 | 1.9 | 5.2 | 2 | -2.3 | 7.4 | 3.1 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 100 |
Player Rater Top 15 (6×6 w/ Holds)
| # | Name | Team | Pos | $ | $/G | PS | PA/IP | $W | $SV | $ERA | $WHIP | $K | $HLD | R% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andrew Chafin | ARI | RP | 22.2 | 15.2 | 17.4 | 2 | 11.5 | 10.7 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 0.1 | -2.1 | 6 |
| 2 | Trevor Stephan | CLE | RP | 18.7 | 7 | 14.3 | 3 | -0.1 | 10.7 | 2 | 5.1 | 2 | -2.1 | 0 |
| 3 | Jorge Lopez | MIN | RP | 18.4 | 6.3 | 14.1 | 3 | -0.1 | 10.7 | 1.7 | 4.5 | 0.1 | 0.5 | 100 |
| 4 | Josh Hader | SD | RP | 14.7 | 10.2 | 10.9 | 2 | -0.1 | 10.7 | 1 | 3.2 | 1 | -2.1 | 100 |
| 5 | Emmanuel Clase | CLE | RP | 14.7 | 10.2 | 10.9 | 2 | -0.1 | 10.7 | 1 | 3.2 | 1 | -2.1 | 100 |
| 6 | Alexis Diaz | CIN | RP | 14.7 | 10.2 | 10.9 | 2 | -0.1 | 10.7 | 1 | 3.2 | 1 | -2.1 | 100 |
| 7 | Andre Jackson | LAD | RP | 13.6 | 23.6 | 9.9 | 3 | -0.1 | 10.7 | 2 | 3 | -0.9 | -2.1 | 0 |
| 8 | Enyel De Los Santos | CLE | RP | 12.6 | 4.3 | 9 | 3 | 11.5 | -3 | 1.7 | 2.4 | 1 | -2.1 | 0 |
| 9 | David Robertson | NYM | RP | 12.5 | 8.8 | 9 | 2 | -0.1 | 10.7 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -2.1 | 100 |
| 10 | Peter Strzelecki | MIL | RP | 10.7 | 7.6 | 7.4 | 2 | 11.5 | -3 | 1 | 3.2 | -0.9 | -2.1 | 0 |
| 11 | Will Smith | TEX | RP | 8.7 | 17.4 | 5.6 | 1 | -0.1 | 10.7 | 0 | 1.1 | -1.9 | -2.1 | 13 |
| 12 | Paul Sewald | SEA | RP | 8.5 | 6.1 | 5.5 | 2 | 11.5 | -3 | 1 | 1 | -0.9 | -2.1 | 100 |
| 13 | Andres Munoz | SEA | RP | 8.4 | 6 | 5.4 | 2 | -0.1 | 10.7 | 1 | -1.2 | -0.9 | -2.1 | 100 |
| 14 | Pierce Johnson | COL | RP | 8.3 | 17 | 5.3 | 1 | -0.1 | 10.7 | 0 | -1.2 | 0.1 | -2.1 | 0 |
| 15 | David Bednar | PIT | RP | 8.3 | 17 | 5.3 | 1 | -0.1 | 10.7 | 0 | -1.2 | 0.1 | -2.1 | 100 |
Top 10 Last 7 Days
| # | Name | Team | ESPN | YAHOO | $ | $/G | G | GS | QS | W | L | SV | HLD | IP | H | ER | K | BB | ERA | FIP | WHIP | BABIP | R% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andrew Chafin | ARI | RP | RP | 22.6 | 11.1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1.7 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2.43 | 0.59 | 0 | 6 |
| 2 | Enyel De Los Santos | CLE | RP | RP | 20.4 | 4.2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2.7 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1.91 | 0.37 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | Trevor Stephan | CLE | RP | RP | 17.7 | 3.1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0.36 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | Peter Strzelecki | MIL | RP | RP | 16.9 | 7.6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2.03 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | Jorge Lopez | MIN | RP | RP | 15.2 | 2.1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2.7 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1.53 | 0 | 0 | 100 |
| 6 | Paul Sewald | SEA | RP | RP | 14 | 5.8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3.53 | 0.5 | 0 | 100 |
| 7 | Josh Hader | SD | RP | RP | 12.6 | 4.9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0.03 | 0 | 0 | 100 |
| 8 | Emmanuel Clase | CLE | RP | RP | 12.6 | 4.9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0.03 | 0 | 0 | 100 |
| 9 | Alexis Diaz | CIN | RP | RP | 12.6 | 4.9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0.03 | 0 | 0 | 100 |
| 10 | Rob Zastryzny | PIT | RP | RP | 12.3 | 4.7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.7 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2.43 | 1.18 | 0.25 | 0 |
Saves Daddies
Headline boy is 33-yr-old rookie Scott McGough of the Diamondbacks. I’ve tuned in to one of his outings and he sure looks the part…when he’s locating that splitter. So far he’s chucked it 11 times in 2023 and it’s seeing much more middle-middle than you wanna see. He’s probably the safest bet for saves right now in the Desert, though, so scoop him up if you’re needing help. He’s already up to 2 SVHD on the year.
Jorge Lopez was awful once he moved to the Twins last year, but it’s a different story early on this year. He’s pitched 2.2 perfect innings with 2 K and 2 SVHD. What’s not so encouraging is his measly 4.2 SwStr% thus far, but again, it’s early.
Annoyingly, Will Smith got the first save of the year for the Rangers. Bochy has used him as a closer before for a different team (San Fran), so maybe Smith sees regular-ish save opps moving forward. I would wager it’s a matchup thing, so don’t give up on your Leclerc shares yet.
Josh Hader is off to a very strong start, which is nice to see after his boo boo second half in 2022 (except really his September was awesome again). Hader’s been perfect through 2 IP, adding 3 K and boasting a nice 23.3 SwStr%.
David Robertson was thought to be the guy sans Edwin Diaz, and that looks to be the case. Robertson has converted his lone chance and has struck out three in 2 IP. His xERa/xwOBA is currently 99th percentile on Baseball Savant, but that doesn’t mean a lick after just two innings lol. Just wanted to toss it out there. Roll him out there with confidence. Could very well push for the league lead in saves if he stays healthy.
Jordan Romano has seen just one inning of action but has bagged a save and 2 K. He got 33.3% whiffs. Also had a gross (in the good way) 58.3 CSW%.
Alexis Diaz might have a bonkers year if this lack of walks keeps up. In 5 IP in the spring, Diaz had an 11:1 K:BB. So far in real games, he’s rockin 3:0 in 2 IP. Oh my goodness y’all, if his 2nd percentile BB% from 2022 gets even just a little better in 2023…
Andres Munoz has the only save for the Mariners early on in 2023. Got the very first shot at it, in fact, as Paul Sewald got the traditional setup call in the 8th on Opening Day. I was more of a mind that Sewald would get the majority share, but maybe it’ll be a more even share instead. Maybe Servais just liked those matchups best. Monitor closely!
A.J. Puk got the first Marlins save of the season, striking out a pair on 40% whiffs. Did give up a solo bomb to Pete Alonso, but it’s hard to blame a lefty too much for giving up a jack to one of the best slugging RHBs in the world.
Felix Bautista looked great in spring (10:3 K:BB in 4.2 IP) but has been shaky in two outings so far. Does have 1 SV, but then he went and blew the second chance. Granted, he had it locked up until the third out via routine fly was straight up fumbled, only to have Adam Duvall crush a walk-off in the next AB. So he really should have 2 SV, but he’s still given up 3 H and 4 R (1 ER) with 1 BB in just 1.2 IP.
Ryan Helsley, my love affair, has been shaky as well. Like Bautista, Helsley has 1 SV along with 1 BS+L. He’s allowed 4 H, 2 ER, and 1 BB in 2.2 IP. I chalk it up to early-season rust/jitters.
Daniel Bard is away from the team while battling anxiety. Probably compounded by his awful WBC and the fact he broke Jose Altuve’s thumb in the process. Wishing Bard the best! In the meantime, it’s looking like Pierce Johnson (1 SV with 2 K in 1 IP) and maybe Brad Hand will see chances in the ninth.
Ryan Pressly was poo poo in his only outing, but an illness has kept him out of action since, so maybe he was just sick for that loss he took? I dunno, but he should be back soon and will take over full-time closing duties once again. Both Hector Neris and Rafael Montero have notched a save in his absence.
No saves yet for Carlos Estevez but at least he’s gotten owners 3 K and hasn’t allowed any runs yet.
Holds Daddies
I mentioned up top that seven throwers of baseballs have 2 HD so far. The best of that bunch, for now, is Caleb Thielbar, who K’d 4 and allowed 0 R and 0 BB. Nice 48.3 CSW% as well. The Minnesota pen is looking rather strong early on, with Lopez, Duran, Thielbar, Jorge Alcala, and Griffin Jax all starting off on the right foot. Thielbar should be a solid holds guy moving forward as long as he’s healthy.
Three Mets guys had 2 HD, and surprisingly none of them is Adam Ottavino. It was Brooks Raley, Drew Smith, and Dennis Santana. The latter was perfect in 1.2 IP, striking out four. Despite these guys having two holds, Ottavino is the Mets setup guy you’re gonna want.
Trevor Stephan is one of the better holds guys around, yet instead of a hold he has a save to his name. Came in extras. He’s pitched three perfect innings and has 4 K. He real good.
Logan Gillaspie has jumped out to 2 HD for the Orioles. I didn’t have him on my radar heading into 2023 but have since updated the Pen Chart to tack him into a setup column.
Bryan Abreu came into his own last year and he’s picking up right where he left off. Has 1 HD with 4 K and 0 BB so far. Has 25% whiffs and 45.8 CSW%. Even with Rafael Montero and Hector Neris in the later innings, Abreu should still see plenty of holds chances for the Astros. All three of those dudes could end the year with 25+ or 30+ holds, no cap.
Ron Marinaccio stans rise up! Dude’s got 6 K in 3.1 IP, walking one but otherwise perfect. Kind of interesting he only has a 23.6 CSW% with that kind of line, though, so maybe he’s overperforming just a hair.
Steven Wilson looked incredible at times last year, and this year he’s off to that kinda start again. Has 1 HD and 4 K in 2 IP. Pitching so well he’s got a negative FIP (-0.78).
James Karinchak has a hold to his name but has not looked good in the early goings. He’s allowed 2 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, and 1 HR in 1.1 IP. Woof. Probably better things to come from him, but it’s not unfeasible that Stephan overtakes him in the hierarchy at some point down the line.
Jordan Hicks is seeing high-leverage duties, though the results leave much to be desired to yours truly as 1). a Cards fan and 2). a Hicks fan in general. He’s got a hold…buuut he’s also allowed 3 H, 3 ER, and 4 BB in 1.1 IP. YUCKY.
I do some fantasy baseball as well as some fantasy hockey 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.
