SAGNOF: Trevor Megillin’ It

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.

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Player Rater Top 15 (5×5 Standard)

#	Name	Team	Pos	$	$/G	PS	PA/IP	$W	$SV	$ERA	$WHIP	$K	R%
1	Robert Suarez	SD	RP	26.5	11.2	8.1	18	1.1	16.4	4.4	5	-1.3	100
2	Emmanuel Clase	CLE	RP	25.9	6.9	7.9	19	1.1	14.7	4.7	4.4	0	100
3	Ryan Helsley	STL	RP	23.5	6.6	7.2	19	1.1	16.4	2.5	2.2	0.3	100
4	Reed Garrett	NYM	RP	21.9	13.6	6.7	21	13.1	-2	5.3	-0.4	4.9	31
5	Kirby Yates	TEX	RP	20.1	12.2	6.2	16	5.1	8	3.6	3.4	-1	99
6	Clay Holmes	NYY	RP	19.6	6.9	6	17	-2.9	16.4	5.1	-0.3	0.3	100
7	Kyle Finnegan	WSH	RP	16.3	4.9	5	16	-2.9	16.4	1.5	1.6	-1.3	100
8	Craig Kimbrel	BAL	RP	14.5	2.6	4.5	15	9.1	9.7	-3.1	-3.1	1	100
9	Mason Miller	OAK	RP	14.4	9.8	4.4	16	-6.8	9.7	2.6	3.6	4.3	100
10	Luke Weaver	NYY	RP	12.4	5	3.8	26	5.1	-3.7	0.7	7	2.3	0
11	Nick Sandlin	CLE	RP	11.7	-1.4	3.6	20	5.1	-2	1.8	4.9	1	0
12	Griffin Jax	MIN	RP	9.2	-1.3	2.9	18	5.1	4.7	-1.2	-1.4	1	27
13	Ryan Yarbrough	LAD	RP	8.9	7.1	2.8	32	5.1	-2	0.5	6.2	-2	0
14	Bryan Hudson	MIL	RP	8.6	2.3	2.7	22	1.1	-3.7	4.6	3.8	1.6	0
15	A.J. Minter	ATL	RP	8.4	-2.5	2.6	17	13.1	-3.7	-2.6	0.6	0	3

Player Rater Top 15 (6×6 w/ Holds)

#	Name	Team	Pos	$	$/G	PS	PA/IP	$W	$SV	$ERA	$WHIP	$K	$HLD	R%
1	Robert Suarez	SD	RP	26.4	20.5	8.4	18	2.8	19.2	3.9	4.4	-0.3	-4.6	100
2	Emmanuel Clase	CLE	RP	24.9	15.2	7.8	19	2.8	17	4.2	3.9	0.8	-4.6	100
3	Ryan Helsley	STL	RP	23.9	15.8	7.4	19	2.8	19.2	2.4	2.2	1	-4.6	100
4	Clay Holmes	NYY	RP	20.7	16.8	6.2	17	-0.5	19.2	4.5	0.2	1	-4.6	100
5	Kirby Yates	TEX	RP	18.7	20.1	5.4	16	6	8.1	3.3	3.2	0	-2.8	99
6	Kyle Finnegan	WSH	RP	18.1	15.1	5.2	16	-0.5	19.2	1.6	1.7	-0.3	-4.6	100
7	Craig Kimbrel	BAL	RP	16	11.6	4.3	15	9.3	10.3	-2.2	-2	1.5	-1.9	100
8	Reed Garrett	NYM	RP	15.7	17.3	4.2	21	12.6	-5.3	4.6	0.1	4.7	-1.9	31
9	Mason Miller	OAK	RP	12.8	18.1	3.1	16	-3.8	10.3	2.5	3.3	4.1	-4.6	100
10	Griffin Jax	MIN	RP	11.6	7.1	2.6	18	6	3.6	-0.6	-0.7	1.5	0.7	27
11	Jason Foley	DET	RP	9.2	8.7	1.7	15	2.8	12.5	0.5	-3.6	-1	-2.8	98
12	Luke Weaver	NYY	RP	8.7	9.7	1.5	26	6	-7.5	0.8	5.9	2.6	-0.2	0
13	David Robertson	TEX	RP	8	4.4	1.2	21	2.8	-5.3	0.2	1.5	2.6	5.2	21
14	Andres Munoz	SEA	RP	7.6	9.6	1.1	15	2.8	3.6	1.3	0.6	0.2	-1.9	100
15	John Schreiber	KC	RP	7.6	4	1	18	6	-5.3	3	0.2	-0.8	3.4	0

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2024 SVHD Leaders

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Weekly Saves Leaders

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Weekly Holds Leaders

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Weekly Blown Saves Leaders :'(

All right, so if you read my stuff regularly, you know by now that I can’t help myself and I change up how things are formatted. Almost weekly. I’m trying something again that I did once upon a time — we’ll see how long I hold to it. But — for this week, at least! — I’m gonna focus on quicker notes from every bullpen in Major League Baseball. It’s a way for me to make sure I don’t miss out on a name you should potentially have on your radar.

 

Arizona Diamondbacks: Biggest news is that Paul Sewald is back and already has a save to his name. Struck out four in three innings, allowing three runners and one run. Joe Mantiply was technically the most valuable — perfect in 2.2 IP and 2 K, collecting 1 SV and 1 HLD. Kevin Ginkel was not good but earned 1 W and 1 HLD (and also 1 BS). Ryan Thompson had 1 HLD and 2 K, with a 36.1 CSW%. He’s been arguably the best D-Back reliever over the last two weeks…could be worth a gander in SVHD formats. PitchingNinja shouted out Justin Martinez for his nasty stuff, and while he’s not getting high-leverage looks yet, it might be a thing sooner rather than later with the way he’s looking. Over his last 7 IP, he’s allowed just 1 ER while striking out 11 (in his outing against the O’s, all five outs were via strikeout). Thing is, he’s allowed 12 baserunners as well in that timeframe. Not great, but the stuff is up there with the best. Just tuck his name into the background of your noggin.

Atlanta Braves: Only three names to really care about in this pen right now, and nothing really changed as far as all that goes. Raisel Iglesias had 2 SV but bad metrics, but whatever. He’s of course set in stone as closer. A.J. Minter generated 32% swinging strikes this week even though his ratios were ugly. Still remains borderline elite for holds ROS. Joe Jimenez had 1 W and 1 HLD, striking out three in two scoreless.

Baltimore Orioles: Biggest news here is of course the semi-fall of Craig Kimbrel. Did have 1 W and 2 HLD this week, and his overall line wasn’t that bad (2.2 IP, 1 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K). Still, getting yanked early from one save opp and appearing in the 7th in another game is worrisome for owners counting on his saves. I saw rumblings that the O’s are in the market for another high-leverage reliever. That could mean the end of Kimbrel’s SV-only value…but we really gotta wait and see how all that works itself out. Don’t panic drop Kimbrel yet. Yennier Cano is still the SVHD badass you hoped he’d be. Man has 5 SVHD and 0 ER over the last 14 days.

Boston Red Sox: Chris Martin scared me with that non-throwing shoulder injury that resurfaced recently, but he came back this past week and logged three perfect innings with 2 K (1 W, 1 HLD). As long as he’s healthy, he should be a total stud for SVHD. Kenley Jansen did his usual boring-but-effective routine. And after a sizzling start to his career, Justin Slaten seems to be falling off. A healthy Martin makes Slaten irrelevant in most formats.

Chicago Cubs: You can’t see it on my spreadsheet, but I can: lots of blue in the metrics area for Hector Neris this past week. Good news is he didn’t allow a run and got owners two bonus wins. Someone to watch back there is Ben Brown — tons of dark red thanks to a 6:1 K:BB in 3.2 scoreless en route to earning 1 W. Really nice 28.9 SwStr% as well. Yency Almonte and Adbert Alzolay have both landed on the IL. Oof. So Neris as closer, Leiter as #1 setup option, and then Brown after that probably? Also maybe a little Richard Lovelady in the mix (got a hold on Sunday).

Chicago White Sox: Well color me shook af, the White Sox actually beasted this week and four RP had 2+ SVHD. John Brebbia led the way with 3 SVHD, striking out 5 in 3.2 IP (13.2 SwStr% and 32.1 CSW%). Jordan Leasure was perfect in 2.1 IP, striking out a pair. The yummiest metrics belonged to Michael Kopech, who’s one cool cat when all cylinders are firing: 2 SV, 25 SwStr%, 45.8 CSW%. The worst metrics belonged to Steven Wilson, but he still managed 2 HLD: 16.7 K%, 50 BB%, 21.7 CSW%.

Cincinnati Reds: Not much to brag on here. Alexis Diaz earned a save, striking out two and walking two in two scoreless. Emilio Pagan looked the best, earning a hold in 2.2 scoreless with 5 K. Still figure he’s behind Fernando Cruz, who’s only decision was a loss but who also had 7 K in 4 IP (1 ER). Lucas Sims picked up his sixth hold. I’ve always been on the Sims train, but the emergence of Cruz kinda derailed it.

Cleveland Guardians: A win and a save for Emmanuel Clase, who’s #2 on the Player Raters above for a reason. Straight up elite, and again I’ll own the L for his #10 ranking in preseason. Hunter Gaddis had the only hold. Didn’t allow a run but did allow four runners in 4 IP. I keep flip-flopping on whether I like him or Barlow more. Both have SVHD value, regardless.

Colorado Rockies: Okay we’ve got a real shake-up here. Jalen Beeks has seemingly become the new Rockies closer (or at least primary share?), earning the last three saves, all in the 9th inning. Tyler Kinley earned 1 W and 1 HLD, striking out two in 3.1 scoreless. Justin Lawrence walked three in just 1.1 IP. If’n you’re desperate for a save or two, Beeks looks like an add.

Detroit Tigers: More blah-ness from Jason Foley, who did at least earn 1 HLD. Alex Lange completely imploded in his last outing, finishing the week off with a 3.86 WHIP and 15.43 ERA lol. Tyler Holton was the best: 1 W and 5 K in 5 IP (no runs/walks). Foley still at the top…for now.

Houston Astros: Josh Hader and Bryan Abreu finally put together good weeks at the same time! Hader had 2 SV with good metrics in 2.1 scoreless. Ditto for Abreu, except 2 HLD instead. Even had a 6:0 K:BB despite just a 6.1 SwStr%.

Kansas City Royals: James McArthur‘s less than ideal WHIP caught up to him again this week: earned 1 L and 1 BS, though he did also pick up a pair of saves. It’s just sort of discouraging to see the hits still pile up — he’s now allowed 22 H in 18.1 IP. The better news is that he’s also sportin an 18:3 K:BB, and the season-long metrics are still red aside from the pedestrian K%. John Schreiber is the only other name I care about in almost all formats, and he was once again quite good: 2 SVHD and 2 K in two scoreless. Sure, Zerpa and Smith had 2 HLD as well, but as you can see, I don’t even care enough to write the full names of them pards.

Los Angeles Angels: Carlos Estevez wasn’t great, but the overall metrics were in actually in good shape. Been a bumpy road of late, but you’ve gotta hold onto him in SV-only leagues. Adam Cimber had 1 W and 2 HLD, while Matt Moore and Luis Garcia each had 2 HLD.

Los Angeles Dodgers: Blake Treinen is indeed back as the primary setup man for LAD, making him a must-own in formats where that matters. Daniel Hudson and Alex Vesia each had 1 SV this week and were perfect in doing so. Hudson is still the best bet for primary saves until Phillips is back.

Miami Marlins: Only two decisions from Marlins RP this week: one positive (Bender win) and one negative (Nardi blown save). Tanner Scott was good: 4 K and no hits/runs in 3 IP. He’s about all there is to care about right now back there. A.J. Puk did get activated and he’ll be put in the pen, so we’ve gotta see how he gets utilized. I tossed him on the bottom of the bullpen depth chart for the time being.

Milwaukee Brewers: Given my alphabetical approach this week, I’ve made y’all wait til about the halfway point to address this week’s Headline Hunk, Trevor Megill. Think it’s finally safe to say he’s the primary saves option in Milwaukee, as I predicted ages ago. Took a while, but we made it, fam! Aside from a random three-inning Herget save, Megill has the last four for the Brew Crew. Good enough for me. He has one of the better CSW% totals (40%) of all RP over the last two weeks, and he’s kept runs off the board and ain’t walkin anyone. Payamps remains good for SVHD, but gimme Megill for saves until the return of the Airbender.

Minnesota Twins: Well, this situation is a downright pickle, folks. We know how good Jhoan Duran is, and it turns out he’s so good that he’s being used in the highest-leverage scenarios instead of being reserved just for the ninth. I was worried about this happening entering last season, and then those worries turned out to be all for naught. But now Mr. Baldelli is back at it again in 2024. Duran had 1 SV and 2 HLD this week, giving him an even 3 SV and 3 HLD thus far on the season. SVHD folks don’t care, but SV-only folks are bummed. I’ve got him in the latter, sadly. Griffin Jax and Caleb Thielbar also had 1 SV. I guess I gotta say there’s some SV-only value again for Jax for the time being, but my heart of hearts still tells me Duran gets back to being primarily a closer. Or am I just hoping that?

New York Mets: Pretty same ol’ same ol’ here. Edwin Diaz was good. Reed Garrett was also good. Adam Ottavino had 1 SV and 1 HLD but ugly ratios, while Garrett struck out 5 in three scoreless.

New York Yankees: And just like, what we all predicted has come to pass: Luke Weaver is a must-own in holds formats. You saw that coming too, right? Easy call. Clearly his mediocre career as a starter would lend itself to an elite run of production as a setup man in a pen full of guys who are supposed to be better than him. Okay, this extended metaphor has run its course. In all seriousness, get Weaver on your roster(s). He had two more holds this week, striking out 6 in four perfect innings. Also had 21.8 SwStr% and 38.2 CSW%. Elite shiz, pards. Clay Holmes wasn’t his absolute sharpest but still got you 1 SV  and a clean 0.00 ERA.

Oakland A’s: I’m not sure if there’s a changing of the guard yet for holds in Oakland, but Austin Adams had 3 HLD while Lucas Erceg had 0 HLD, 1 L, and 1 BS. Erceg keeps getting the 8th inning, but Adams is clearly the more effective dude right now. Unfortunately, we weren’t graced with a Mason Miller save opp, but he still got to pitch and kicked ass: 4 K in two perfect innings.

Philadelphia Phillies: Lame week for Phils RP. Only positive decision was a Matt Strahm hold. He did rock, it must be said — 7:0 K:BB in 3.1 scoreless, with a juicy 36.2 CSW%. Jeff Hoffman and Jose Alvarado are still the two top dogs and both pitched well in non-save outings.

Pittsburgh Pirates: Aroldis Chapman is riding the struggle bus again. Was electric for the first few weeks, yet it’s been a rough spell of late. This week he allowed eight baserunners in just 2.2 IP, allowing 3 R (1 ER). Whiffs weren’t really there, either. David Bednar earned a save despite lots of blue in the metrics department.

San Diego Padres: The #1 RP on both Player Raters is Robert Suarez. Continues to churn out positive decisions (1 W and 2 SV this week). Was perfect in 4.2 IP, striking out 5. Pretty bad CSW% (19.7) actually, but I guess it didn’t matter! Ridiculous value thus far in 2024. For holds, Wandy Peralta has become the guy you want out of this pen (2 HLD this week). Matsui has fallen completely off the map. Pretty surprised by it still, honestly. He earned 2 BS this week, poor fella.

Seattle Mariners: It was neither Andres Munoz or Ryne Stanek who had the lone SVHD for the Mariners this week. It was Tyson Miller, and I’m not bolding his name because he just frankly don’t matter a lick or a speck. Stanek was kinda blah this week but wasn’t bad. Munoz was perfect in two innings with healthy SwStr%/CSW%.

San Francisco Giants: No save opps for Camilo Doval, so maybe that’s why he sucked it up — allowed 2 H, 2 ER, and 5 BB in just 3.1 IP. Healthy metrics despite the walks, at least? The Rogers Bros were both good, but only Taylor Rogers had a decisions (1 W and 1 HLD), and he struck out 5 in just 2 IP. Metrics were boss, too: 50 K%, 0 BB%, 35 SwStr%, and 52.5 CSW%. Had arguably the best week metrics-wise of anyone else.

St. Louis Cardinals: Speaking of best weeks metrics-wise, technically no one was better than Ryan Helsley, but it also was only one inning of work, so Rogers was takes the cake. Helsley had 66.7 K%, 0 BB%, 25 SwStr%, and 66.7 CSW% en route to 1 SV. Saw his name linked as a possible target for the O’s. Mannnnn I’ll be so damn sad if that happens. Anyway, JoJo Romero and Andrew Kittredge added to their holds totals (13 and 11, respectively). Romero was great, while Kittredge was less great. The Cardinals don’t have a lot going for them this season, but this three-headed monster has been fun to watch.

Tampa Bay Rays: Pete Fairbanks is back and fired off a clean inning with 1 K. Gotta figure he goes back to primary closing duties. Which means Jason Adam loses most of his SV-only value but retains that juicy SVHD elite-ness.

Texas Rangers: Kirby Yates and David Robertson did their thangs. Yates (2 SV) did his a little better than DRob (1 W, 1 HLD, 1 BS, 1 L), though nice to see 6 K from DRob in just 3 IP. Deeper formats might still get some use out of Jose Leclerc, who struck out 8 in 3.2 IP, earning a 1 W but also 1 BS.

Toronto Blue Jays: Jordan Romano had 2 SV with mediocre ratios/metrics. Yimi Garcia had 1 HLD with stellar ratios/metrics in his lone inning of work.

Washington Nationals: Hunter Harvey collected 2 HLD, giving him a share of the league lead at 13 with Romero. Kyle Finnegan had just one save opp, which he converted. Another huuuuge bargain this year.

 

 

That’s all for this week! Thanks for reading. Leave me a comment below so I feel all warm and fuzzy.

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