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 | Felix Bautista | BAL | RP | 31.2 | 12.1 | 9.9 | 49 | 4 | 13.7 | 3.9 | 2.9 | 5.7 | 100 |
| 2 | Alexis Diaz | CIN | RP | 20.2 | 5.8 | 6.5 | 45 | 0.4 | 14.3 | 1.5 | 1.1 | 1.9 | 100 |
| 3 | Devin Williams | MIL | RP | 17.3 | 7.1 | 5.6 | 38 | 2.2 | 11.8 | 1.7 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 100 |
| 4 | Camilo Doval | SF | RP | 16.6 | 4.1 | 5.4 | 45 | -1.4 | 14.9 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 0.9 | 100 |
| 5 | Jordan Romano | TOR | RP | 14.7 | 3.9 | 4.8 | 40 | 2.2 | 13 | -0.2 | -0.9 | -0.5 | 100 |
| 6 | Craig Kimbrel | PHI | RP | 14.4 | 3.3 | 4.7 | 41 | 5.8 | 6.2 | -0.9 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 100 |
| 7 | David Bednar | PIT | RP | 12.5 | 4.4 | 4.1 | 39 | 0.4 | 8.1 | 2.5 | 1.3 | -0.7 | 100 |
| 8 | Ryan Pressly | HOU | RP | 11.7 | 1.2 | 3.9 | 44 | -1.4 | 10.6 | 0 | 2 | -0.5 | 100 |
| 9 | Josh Hader | SD | RP | 11.2 | 3 | 3.7 | 37 | -5.1 | 11.2 | 2.6 | 1.2 | 0.3 | 100 |
| 10 | Paul Sewald | SEA | RP | 11.1 | 1.7 | 3.7 | 41 | 0.4 | 8.1 | -0.2 | 1 | 0.9 | 100 |
| 11 | Carlos Estevez | LAA | RP | 10.8 | 1.9 | 3.6 | 40 | 0.4 | 10.6 | 1.2 | -1.7 | -0.6 | 100 |
| 12 | David Robertson | NYM | RP | 9.6 | 2 | 3.2 | 43 | 2.2 | 5 | 1.3 | 0.7 | -0.6 | 100 |
| 13 | Emmanuel Clase | CLE | RP | 8.8 | -1.4 | 3 | 46 | -3.3 | 13 | -0.5 | -0.1 | -1.4 | 100 |
| 14 | Jhoan Duran | MIN | RP | 8.2 | 2 | 2.8 | 40 | -1.4 | 6.8 | 1.2 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 100 |
| 15 | Alex Lange | DET | RP | 7.8 | -0.1 | 2.7 | 41 | 4 | 6.8 | -2 | -2 | -0.1 | 99 |
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 | 29.6 | 20.4 | 7.7 | 49 | 4.8 | 14.8 | 4.3 | 3.2 | 6.6 | -5.1 | 100 |
| 2 | Alexis Diaz | CIN | RP | 19.8 | 14.2 | 4.5 | 45 | 1.4 | 15.6 | 1.9 | 1.5 | 2.9 | -4.5 | 100 |
| 3 | Camilo Doval | SF | RP | 16 | 12.6 | 3.2 | 45 | -0.4 | 16.5 | 1.3 | 0.8 | 1.9 | -5.1 | 100 |
| 4 | Devin Williams | MIL | RP | 15.4 | 15.4 | 3.1 | 38 | 3.1 | 12.2 | 2.1 | 0.7 | 1.4 | -5.1 | 100 |
| 5 | Jordan Romano | TOR | RP | 13.9 | 12.2 | 2.6 | 40 | 3.1 | 13.9 | 0.2 | -0.5 | 0.7 | -4.5 | 100 |
| 6 | Craig Kimbrel | PHI | RP | 12 | 10.1 | 1.9 | 41 | 6.6 | 4.6 | -0.4 | 1.4 | 2.2 | -3.4 | 100 |
| 7 | Hector Neris | HOU | RP | 10.7 | 5.3 | 1.5 | 43 | 6.6 | -7.3 | 2.8 | 0.4 | 0.7 | 6.6 | 2 |
| 8 | Joel Payamps | MIL | RP | 10.2 | 5.5 | 1.4 | 46 | 3.1 | -6.5 | 2.5 | 2.7 | 1.3 | 6.1 | 6 |
| 9 | Carlos Estevez | LAA | RP | 9.8 | 9.9 | 1.2 | 40 | 1.4 | 10.5 | 1.7 | -1.3 | 0.5 | -4 | 100 |
| 10 | Ryan Pressly | HOU | RP | 9.5 | 8.6 | 1.1 | 44 | -0.4 | 10.5 | 0.4 | 2.4 | 0.7 | -5.1 | 100 |
| 11 | Josh Hader | SD | RP | 9.4 | 11.2 | 1.1 | 37 | -3.9 | 11.4 | 3.1 | 1.5 | 1.4 | -5.1 | 100 |
| 12 | David Bednar | PIT | RP | 9.4 | 11.7 | 1.1 | 39 | 1.4 | 7.1 | 3 | 1.6 | 0.4 | -5.1 | 100 |
| 13 | David Robertson | NYM | RP | 8.8 | 9.5 | 0.9 | 43 | 3.1 | 2.9 | 1.7 | 1.1 | 0.5 | -1.6 | 100 |
| 14 | Paul Sewald | SEA | RP | 7.9 | 8.5 | 0.6 | 41 | 1.4 | 7.1 | 0.3 | 1.4 | 1.9 | -5.1 | 100 |
| 15 | Yennier Cano | BAL | RP | 7.9 | 3.5 | 0.6 | 49 | -2.1 | -5.6 | 3.2 | 2.6 | -0.2 | 9 | 29 |
Saves Savants
Steady As They Go:
- Felix Bautista just keeps on being the single best fantasy reliever in the land. He’s been the #1 RP on the Player Rater for like the entire season practically, and he’s also the #12 overall player in standard formats. It’s BONKERS. Anywho, he got you 1 W and 3 SV with 9 K. Didn’t walk anyone and didn’t allow a run. On the year, Bautista has 28 SV and 96 K while allowing just five measly earned runs.
- Alexis Diaz also had 3 SV, striking out five in 4 IP. One more save and he’ll join Camilo Doval in the 30-SV club. Fun fact: I track WSVHD, and Diaz is tied with Felixxx for the league lead with 33.
- Josh Hader had 2 SV and 3 K in two perfect innings. I mentioned last week that he could be on the trade block. Don’t think his fantasy value changes a bit whether or not he stays in San Diego.
- Carlos Estevez also could be on the block, and he continued his run of 100% save conversions by adding two more this week, striking out four in three scoreless.
- Jhoan Duran picked up 2 SV and 7 K in 3 IP. Allowed 4 H and an unearned run, but that’s neither here nor there. That 7:0 K:BB is what daddy likes.
On The Rise:
- Trevor May is probably gonna get traded somewhere. Surely. That actually hurts his fantasy stock, cuz I doubt he sniffs the ninth on another team. But he’s doing his part to get people interested in his services by collecting 3 SV this week, striking out four in three scoreless.
- Alex Lange had an ugly little stretch but seems to have gotten closer to his May self. Earned 3 SV this week while striking out four in three scoreless. Very nice 21.7 SwStr% and 39.1 CSW% this week
- Clay Holmes is the closer again for the Yankees, picking up all the saves lately. As in, the past 2+ weeks. Worth mentioning he hasn’t been his sharpest, only generating 4.5% swinging strikes and posting a 1.50 WHIP this week. The whiffs are below average over the month, but at least the 33.1 CSW% looks good. If they’re not swinging and missing, at least they’re just staring at ’em.
- Kyle Finnegan‘s fantasy relevancy is back in order thanks to Hunter Harvey’s injury. Finnegan is closing again for the Nationals, adding 2 SV this week. He struck out three, walked none, and didn’t allow a run. Even had a sexy 20.6 SwStr%. I know the dude is pretty mid, but he needs to be on fantasy rosters again.
- Kevin Ginkel has stormed onto the scene all of a sudden. I kinda had left this dude for dead for fantasy purposes, and here he is in the high-leverage mix for the DBacks. Miguel Castro and Scott McGough have been struggling hardcore, so it’s really just Ginkel and Andrew Chafin in the mix for saves right now as far as I’m concerned.
- Aroldis Chapman didn’t record a save this week, but there’s no question he’s at least sharing the ninth at this point. He did score a win while striking out five in two scoreless innings. Also didn’t walk anyone, so for the week he got that nice negative FIP (-1.72) and SIERA (.028). Looking as good as he ever has. Playing for a winner seems to bring out the best in him.
Trending Down:
- Scott McGough posted a 9.00 ERA and 3.00 WHIP this week while pitching low-leverage situations. Oof. He was so good there for a while, and now he’s just…not.
- Will Smith has to be trending down now given the meteoric rise of Chapman lately. Not Smith’s fault, but he’s not the sole closer anymore. Absolutely still worth holding onto, though.
- A.J. Puk has had better days. Rough little patch of outings lately, sadly. I’m not sure if he’s on the hot seat quite yet, but Tanner Scott’s name is just a little bit shinier on the waiver wire right now. Puk has either a BS or L in two of his last three outings, and while the 15:3 K:BB in his last 10 IP is very nice, the 10 H, 8 ER, and 4 HR are not. I wonder how much more leash he has.
- Kendall Graveman has always been pretty mid but had actually been doing a solid job as backup closer…until lately. Over his last 10.2 IP, he’s allowed 15 H, 8 ER, and 6 BB. Yowzies. I figure he’s a trade chip nonetheless, and that almost certainly ruins whatever SV-only value he would maintain if he were to stay with the White Sox.
Holds Heroes
Steady As They Go:
- Erik Swanson was a mix of good (tied for weekly lead with 3 HLD; 0.00 ERA) and bad (1.88 WHIP) this week. Don’t think you’ll find a single person in the realm of fantasy baseball disparaging this dude, though. For 2023, he’s got 25 HLD (the most), a 2.89 ERA, and a 1.05 WHIP.
- Andres Munoz is up to 10 HLD on the year, now sporting a 36.1 K%, 20.5 SwStr%, and an otherworldly 39.4 CSW%. I know plenty of SV-only folk are disappointed he’s a full-time setup man. He’s one of the very best at being that, however.
- Matt Moore has 6 K and 2 HLD in his last three outings. For the week as a whole, he tossed 4.1 IP and struck out seven while allowing just 1 ER (24.2 SwStr%; 46.8 CSW%). Dude was in the zone and pretty much has been since coming back off the IL. No question at all he’s the #1 setup man for the Angels — the only question is whether the Halos feel like buying or selling at the deadline. A proven high-leverage lefty bullpen arm would fetch a nice price, even if he’d be a rental given his looming free agency in the offseason.
On The Rise:
- Jason Foley picked up 4 SVHD this week (1 SV, 3 HLD) while tossing four shutout innings. Thing is he only struck out one, allowed two hits, and also two walks. Boring is boring, but boring can also be effective. He’s been getting the job done.
- Yennier Cano has continued to get high-leverage deployment, and that’s a good thing if you’re an Orioles reliever. He’s been an ERA boss all year, despite being pretty damn mediocre everywhere over the last month-plus. This week, he earned 3 HLD (and a blown save) while posting a 0.00 ERA and 0.75 WHIP. The K stuff was even decent (3 K) when it had been pretty bad of late. Is he turning the corner? Making some adjustments after hitters had clearly adjusted to after his hot start? Trails only Swanson for the league lead in HLD.
- Ian Gibaut is up to 12 HLD on the year after picking up three this week. He struck out five in 4.1 IP of one-run ball. He’s behind Sims on the depth chart but is still fantasy relevant with outputs like that.
- Joe Jimenez has 2 HLD since July 18, which isn’t, like, awesome or anything, but the only other guy with holds for the Braves in that span is Ben Heller (also with 2 HLD). Jimenez is the best RP not named Iglesias until A.J. Minter is back, so he’s the guy I’d want on my team. They did just trade for Pierce Johnson yesterday, buuuut I don’t foresee him shooting up the depth chart. But then again, being away from Coors should help his overall numbers. Anywho, roster Jimenez for now.
- Josh Winckowski hasn’t been known for the strikeout stuff so far this year, but it was a different story this week: 2 HLD and 7 K in just 3.2 IP. Tad surprising he’s gotten holds while Chris Martin hasn’t (and on back-to-back days, no less).
- Robert Suarez is off the IL and should take back his rightful place as #1 setup man to Hader. He made his season debut back on Friday, getting the call in the 8th and recording hold numero uno.
Trending Down:
- Michael King did pick up 2 HLD this week, though he left his owners with unsavory ratios in the process. He’s got an unsightly 8.31 ERA and 2.31 WHIP in the last 14 days. Does have 9 K in just 4.1 IP at least.
- Nick Martinez and Steven Wilson are both negatively impacted by Suarez’s return.
- Shintaro Fujinami was dealt to the Orioles, so it may seem counterintuitive to be trending down after moving to a contender. Fuji did not at all impress in his debut, and he’s behind Cano and Danny Coulombe on the depth chart. The holds were few and far between in Oakland, but now I think they’ll be even fewer and farther.
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.
