MLB 2017: Top 10 relievers

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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Oct 22, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Kenley Jansen (74) throws against the Chicago Cubs during the sixth inning of game six of the 2016 NLCS playoff baseball series at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Kenley Jansen, Los Angeles Dodgers

Several teams came calling with very serious offers, but at the end of the day, Kenley Jansen wanted to stay with the Dodgers. Whether or not he maximized his value can be debated, but Jansen is not hurting with his new $80-million deal. The converted minor league catcher is just a shade below the top three on this list.

Jansen throws a cutter that has almost unfair movement. Take a look for yourself below.

Combining velocity that is unheard of with a cutter and late diving movement, it’s clear why Jansen has been so successful while throwing the pitch nearly 90 percent of the time. Even the great Mariano Rivera only topped 10 strikeouts per nine once in his career with his phenomenal cutter. Jansen has averaged 13.9 strikeouts per nine for over 400 innings, good for fourth in baseball history among relief pitchers.

At times, Jansen has seen his ERA fluctuate, as is expected from a relief pitcher. The FIP, which attempt to clear away some of the “noise” that is out of a pitcher’s control, however, shows Jansen ranked third all time at 1.93. In 2015, for example, Jansen allowed home runs on fly balls at an 11.8 percent clip. His career average is 6.9 percent, which is well below the accepted league average of 7.8 percent.

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