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 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 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 | 31 | 10.2 | 11 | 11 | 7.2 | 18.2 | 2.7 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 100 |
| 2 | Josh Hader | SD | RP | 22.5 | 5.5 | 8.2 | 11 | -4.5 | 18.2 | 2.7 | 3.4 | 1.6 | 100 |
| 3 | Felix Bautista | BAL | RP | 21.1 | 4.7 | 7.7 | 11 | 7.2 | 10 | 0.9 | -1.1 | 3.1 | 100 |
| 4 | Paul Sewald | SEA | RP | 16.9 | 0.8 | 6.3 | 12 | 1.3 | 12.8 | -1.7 | 2.4 | 1.1 | 100 |
| 5 | Emmanuel Clase | CLE | RP | 14.5 | -0.3 | 5.5 | 12 | 1.3 | 15.5 | -0.1 | -0.7 | -2.6 | 100 |
| 6 | Jordan Romano | TOR | RP | 13.9 | 2.5 | 5.3 | 9 | 7.2 | 15.5 | -3.3 | -6 | -0.5 | 100 |
| 7 | Mason Thompson | WSH | RP | 13.7 | 4.5 | 5.2 | 16 | 7.2 | -3.6 | 3.6 | 5.5 | 0 | 1 |
| 8 | Kenley Jansen | BOS | RP | 13.5 | 10.2 | 5.1 | 7 | 1.3 | 10 | 2.2 | -0.1 | -1 | 100 |
| 9 | Devin Williams | MIL | RP | 13.3 | 10.1 | 5.1 | 7 | 7.2 | 4.6 | 2.2 | -1.2 | -0.5 | 100 |
| 10 | Jose Alvarado | PHI | RP | 11.9 | 1.3 | 4.6 | 10 | -4.5 | 4.6 | 2.4 | 4.8 | 3.7 | 89 |
| 11 | Kyle Nelson | ARI | RP | 10.1 | 0.2 | 4 | 10 | 13 | -3.6 | 2 | -3.4 | 1.1 | 0 |
| 12 | A.J. Puk | MIA | RP | 9.3 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 9 | 1.3 | 7.3 | 1.6 | 0.1 | -2 | 99 |
| 13 | Jorge Lopez | MIN | RP | 8.9 | -0.5 | 3.6 | 10 | 1.3 | -0.9 | 3.7 | 6.2 | -2.6 | 84 |
| 14 | Steven Wilson | SD | RP | 8.4 | -3.4 | 3.4 | 14 | 1.3 | -3.6 | 4.2 | 4.3 | 1.1 | 0 |
| 15 | Giovanny Gallegos | STL | RP | 7.4 | 4.9 | 3.1 | 7 | 1.3 | -0.9 | 2.4 | 4.6 | -1 | 56 |
Player Rater Top 15 (6×6 w/ Holds)
| # | Name | Team | Pos | $ | $/G | PS | PA/IP | $W | $SV | $ERA | $WHIP | $K | $HLD | R% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | David Bednar | PIT | RP | 29.1 | 18.1 | 15 | 11 | 5 | 21.2 | 2.6 | 1.5 | 1 | -3.2 | 100 |
| 2 | Josh Hader | SD | RP | 24.1 | 15.1 | 12.1 | 11 | -1.9 | 21.2 | 2.6 | 2.7 | 1.6 | -3.2 | 100 |
| 3 | Felix Bautista | BAL | RP | 18.3 | 11.7 | 8.7 | 11 | 5 | 11.4 | 1.6 | 0 | 2.5 | -3.2 | 100 |
| 4 | Emmanuel Clase | CLE | RP | 17.7 | 9.9 | 8.4 | 12 | 1.6 | 17.9 | 1 | 0.3 | -0.8 | -3.2 | 100 |
| 5 | Paul Sewald | SEA | RP | 17.4 | 9.8 | 8.3 | 12 | 1.6 | 14.6 | 0 | 2.1 | 1.3 | -3.2 | 100 |
| 6 | Jordan Romano | TOR | RP | 17.4 | 13 | 8.2 | 9 | 5 | 17.9 | -0.9 | -2.8 | 0.4 | -3.2 | 100 |
| 7 | Kenley Jansen | BOS | RP | 13.8 | 17.9 | 6.1 | 7 | 1.6 | 11.4 | 2.3 | 0.7 | 0.1 | -3.2 | 100 |
| 8 | Jose Alvarado | PHI | RP | 12.1 | 8.7 | 5.1 | 10 | -1.9 | 4.8 | 2.4 | 3.5 | 2.8 | -0.6 | 89 |
| 9 | Devin Williams | MIL | RP | 10.3 | 14.8 | 4.1 | 7 | 5 | 4.8 | 2.3 | 0 | 0.4 | -3.2 | 100 |
| 10 | A.J. Puk | MIA | RP | 9.7 | 11.6 | 3.7 | 9 | 1.6 | 8.1 | 2 | 0.7 | -0.5 | -3.2 | 99 |
| 11 | David Robertson | NYM | RP | 9.2 | 8.6 | 3.5 | 9 | -1.9 | 8.1 | 2.1 | 1.6 | -0.2 | -1.5 | 100 |
| 12 | Jorge Lopez | MIN | RP | 8.7 | 6 | 3.2 | 10 | 1.6 | -1.8 | 3.2 | 4.4 | -0.8 | 1.1 | 84 |
| 13 | Jhoan Duran | MIN | RP | 8.3 | 10.5 | 3 | 7 | -1.9 | 11.4 | 0.4 | 0.9 | -0.2 | -3.2 | 100 |
| 14 | Steven Wilson | SD | RP | 6.7 | 2.9 | 2 | 14 | 1.6 | -5 | 3.5 | 3.2 | 1.3 | 1.1 | 0 |
| 15 | Bryan Abreu | HOU | RP | 6.7 | 3.3 | 2 | 12 | -1.9 | 1.5 | 3.1 | 1.1 | 2.5 | -0.6 | 5 |
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 | David Bednar | PIT | RP | RP | 21.5 | 5.5 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1.03 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 100 |
| 2 | Josh Hader | SD | RP | RP | 16 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1.63 | 0.2 | 0 | 100 |
| 3 | Mason Thompson | WSH | RP | RP | 14.1 | 10.3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5.3 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1.15 | 0.57 | 0.231 | 1 |
| 4 | Hector Neris | HOU | RP | RP | 12.2 | 5.3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 2.25 | 4.28 | 0.25 | 0 | 1 |
| 5 | Andrew Nardi | MIA | RP | RP | 11.8 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4.3 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 3.95 | 0.7 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | Jose Alvarado | PHI | RP | RP | 10.9 | 4.5 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1.03 | 0.25 | 0.111 | 89 |
| 7 | Bryan Abreu | HOU | RP | RP | 10.6 | 2.4 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5.7 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1.62 | 0.53 | 0.2 | 5 |
| 8 | Paul Sewald | SEA | RP | RP | 10.2 | 4.1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 2.25 | 2.78 | 0.25 | 0 | 100 |
| 9 | Steven Wilson | SD | RP | RP | 8.4 | 1.4 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5.3 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2.47 | 0.38 | 0.077 | 0 |
| 10 | Garrett Cleavinger | TB | RP | RP | 8.3 | 2.9 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3.7 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1.39 | 0.54 | 0.167 | 0 |
Saves Daddies
Josh Hader is pretty much fixed, I guess. Had 4 SV this week, tossing five innings and allowing just 1 BB. Struck out five. That ol’ crazy boy is up to 16 K and 8 SV on the year, with just 3 H, 1 ER, and 4 BB allowed across 11 IP. Let’s just hope he doesn’t have a summer like he did in 2022, eh? All posh, all Gucci so far.
David Bednar matched him with 4 SV this week, giving him 8 SV on the year as well. I don’t know why the Pirates are so good, but Bednar owners are lovin’ it. He was always gonna be good.
Jose Alvarado notched 3 SV in four scoreless, striking out four and allowing just 1 H. Might not be the sole closer back there, but I would figure he’s earned majority share duties at this point. His ownership rate still isn’t high enough, so if you happen to be lucking out in that regard, snag him while you can.
Same goes for A.J. Puk, who’s sitting out there in over a third of Yahoo leagues and like all ESPN leagues at the moment. Majority shares are likely his unless he gets hurt or flounders. Both of those outcomes are sadly not too terribly unlikely for him, however. Puk had 3 SV in three scoreless, striking out three and posting a nice 36 CSW%.
Paul Sewald continues to wreck whilst Andres Munoz is on the shelf. Might just be the Sewald Show regardless given the way this dude’s dealing. Another week, another 3 SV and 7 K in 4 IP. That’s a gnarly af 53.8 K% paired with 0 BB, mind you.
Kyle Finnegan is [pretty] good again! Not a bad week from the Nats closer: 2 SV with no runs allowed. Yeah, yeah, allowed two hits and a walk and just struck out one. I don’t pretend like he’s elite at all, but I do think he’s a very serviceable fantasy closer who will make draft day believers plenty happy by the time 2023 wraps up.
Devin Williams picked up 2 SV and had 7 K in 3 IP. Did walk three, but those were his first three walks of the year. Probably more of those to come given he’s struggled with that ever since getting to the bigs, but he’s more than good enough to overcome that flaw.
Bryan Abreu had 2 SV (and 1 HLD) this week, with both saves coming in back-to-back fashion over the weekend. Still not sure why Ryan Pressly wasn’t available at least for Sunday, so that’ll be something to keep close tabs on. Abreu is hella legit and is going to be one of the best SVHD guys for a long time in all likelihood. If your league is the type where you can afford to stash a handcuff closer, this is the one to stash.
For what it’s worth, and it’s not worth much, Jeurys Familia is in the saves mix for Oakland. He grabbed a save while tossing 3.1 scoreless this past week.
Wasn’t hunky dory for everyone this week. A.J. Minter, Jose Quijada, Scott Barlow, Reynaldo Lopez, Andrew Chafin, Brad Boxberger, and Michael Fulmer all tossed some stinkers. All of em except Fulmer got you 1 SV, at least, with Minter and Quijada even getting you 2 SV. Aroldis Chapman was great once again this week (3 IP, 1 H, o ER, 1 BB, 6 K, 33.3 CSW%), so I’d be quite concerned about Barlow’s opportunities in the near future. Keep an eye out for deployment changes. Also, Brandon Hughes is back for the Cubs, so don’t be surprised if he gets a look or two in the ninth.
Holds Daddies
Gregory Soto was your holds king for the week: 4 HLD, 5 K, and just 1 H allowed in 3.2 IP. Has some nizzasty stizzuff going, getting whiffs 19.6% of the time and rocking an uber sexy 39.2 CSW%.
Only other 4 HLD guy this week was Peter Strzelecki of the Brewers, who is quietly amassing holds and great ratios. Sturz is up to 6 HLD with a 0.90 ERA and 1.00 WHIP. Not even close to a strikeout pitcher, with just 6 K in 10 IP, but can’t complain about the rest!
A few guys had 3 HLD this week: Caleb Thielbar, Dylan Floro, Robert Stephenson, Justin Topa, Colin Holderman, and Tim Hill. Holderman paced them all with 6 K, and he’s now up to 8 HLD on the year. It’s just bonkers. Worth noting he did allow 7 H, 2 ER, and 1 BB. If you’re in need of holds help, Thielbar, Floro, and Holderman are the most worth your time of this bunch. The others are deeper league or AL/NL only material.
Nice big crop of dudes with 2 HLD, but here are the most noteworthy: Craig Kimbrel with 7 K in four scoreless; Brooks Raley with 7 K in 4.2 scoreless; Yennier Cano with 4 K in 3.1 perfect innings; Kendall Graveman with 4 K and a 43.8 CSW% in 3 IP; Jonathan Hernandez with 5 K and 40 CSW% in 4 IP. As for Cano, he is very quickly evolving into must-own status in holds formats. He’s yet to allow even a single hit. A single anything, in fact! Perfect thru 7 IP with 9 K. In the last two weeks, he’s been called upon six times for high-leverage duties (7th x2, 8th x2, 9th x2). Has a 45 K% and 0 BB%, cuz again, dude’s literally been perfect in 2023. It’s early and it’s only been thrown 17 times, but his changeup just looks gross and has a ridonk 87.5 Whiff%.
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.
