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MLB 2017: Top 10 relievers

By Joshua Sadlock

Jul 9, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Zach Britton (53) reacts after the game ending throw by second baseman Jonathan Schoop (not pictured) in the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Baltimore Orioles defeated Los Angeles Angels 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 9, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Zach Britton (53) reacts after the game ending throw by second baseman Jonathan Schoop (not pictured) in the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Baltimore Orioles defeated Los Angeles Angels 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 6, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher Dellin Betances (68) reacts during the ninth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 6, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher Dellin Betances (68) reacts during the ninth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Dellin Betances, New York Yankees

It took Betances until he was 26 to fully establish himself with the Yankees. In the minor leagues, he was viewed as a starter for seven years before finally converting to the ‘pen. The move paid off in a big way for Betances and the Yankees.

Betances may have the best power curveball in the league. Fangraphs judges it the most valuable breaking ball among all relievers in the league over the past three seasons. The pitch has been so nasty for Betances that it ranks third in all of baseball behind Clayton Kershaw and Chris Archer despite the fact that he has thrown only 247 innings.

Betances throws his fastball and curveball at roughly a 50-50 split. His curve comes in close to 85 mph. Some call it a slider, others call it a cutter, and MLB occasionally classifies it as a knuckle-curve since Betances throws it with a few of his fingers raised. Whatever you want to call it, the pitch saved Betances’ career after he struggled to throw a breaking ball for strikes in the minor leagues.

So much nasty.

To date, Betances has thrown his magic gyroball over 2,100 times in the big leagues. Opponents are batting .104 against it with 318 strikeouts in 508 at-bats ending on the pitch. Going forward, the Yankees will have to be careful about burning Betances out. He threw 90 innings in his rookie year and 84 in his sophomore season.

Down the stretch in 2016, he imploded, allowing 10 earned runs in 11 September appearances. His load will be lighter in 2017, as the Yankees have re-signed Aroldis Chapman to close.

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