Fantasy Baseball 2018: Relief Pitcher Rankings
By Bill Pivetz
More teams are deploying their relievers earlier into games. Finding a roster-worthy relief pitcher is easier now than ever before.
Relievers have become more popular for teams over the last couple of years. Managers are now taking out their starting pitcher sooner in replacing them with a relief pitcher after just five or six innings. Making more appearances gives them more fantasy value.
Relief pitchers are a good source of extra strikeouts and low ratio stats throughout a season. They pitch just one or two innings per appearance so any bad outing could tank their ratio stats for the week. One run in an inning gives them a 9.00 ERA for the day. It’ll take eight more shutout innings to bring that back down to a 1.00.
Drafting closers is what you want to do first. They help in the other pitching stats but are the only ones to contribute to the saves category. However, set-up men and middle relievers are getting more love because of their usage.
The Washington Nationals led the league in innings by starting pitchers with 973.0. Yet, if you divide that by 162 games, the pitchers average just 6.00 innings per start. The least amount of innings was pitched by the Cincinnati Reds, 820.0 innings. That equates to just 5.06 innings per start.
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The Miami Marlins led the league in innings pitched by relievers with 612.0 innings. That comes out to 3.80 innings per game by relievers. If you want to build your bullpen with high-usage pitchers, target the Marlins and Reds relief pitchers.
Before the true rankings, here are five relievers worth a mention.
Brad Boxberger (ARI) – Boxberger has closer experience as he recorded 41 saves with the Rays in 2015. Now the backup behind Archie Bradley in Arizona, he should pitch in more than 29.1 innings. If you play in a league with holds, Boxberger is a must-own. He could even record a save or two per week.
Carl Edwards (CHC) – Edwards has quietly become a reliable relief pitcher over the last couple of years. He saw a big jump in his usage, going from 36.0 innings in 2016 to 66.1 innings last year. Edwards maintained a strikeout rate well about 10.0 but his walk rate almost doubled. Luckily, he was able to keep those runners from scoring as he posted a 2.98 ERA. As the backup to Brandon Morrow, Edwards will make a lot of appearances and strike out a few batters in the process.
Joakim Soria (CWS) – Soria has been out of the closer role for a couple of seasons. He was traded to the White Sox in early January and that couldn’t have worked out any better. Chicago needed a closer and Soria has the experience. Take out the lack of saves, Soria posted a 3.70 ERA, 1.232 WHIP, 10.3 K/9 and 3.2 BB/9 in 56.0 innings. Add at least 15 saves to that and you have yourself an RP4 in standard leagues.
Joe Musgrove (PIT) – Musgrove has split time between the rotation and bullpen. He spent more time in the bullpen last season, making 38 appearances with only 15 starts. Musgrove finished with a 4.77 ERA, 1.326 WHIP, 98 strikeouts and 28 walks in 109.1 innings. He is now a part of the Pirates as a piece of the Gerrit Cole trade. This is one of the rare situations where a dual-eligible player is better ranked as a relief pitcher than a starter. If you need more innings and want to “cheat,” you can use Musgrove as an RP and get his SP stats.
Brad Ziegler (MIA) – Ziegler is the Marlins closer but he is ranked lower than his backup. He pitched well in his previous two seasons but regressed in his first year with Miami. Ziegler posted a 4.79 ERA, 1.553 WHIP, 5.0 K/9 and 3.1 BB/9. The only reason Ziegler is even on this list is that he’s listed atop the Marlins bullpen depth chart. There are plenty of other relievers that will post better ratios and more strikeouts this season. If you’re desperate for saves, you can go with Ziegler but don’t expect much else.
My final rankings, here are my top-40 relief pitchers for this season.
Cameron Bedrosian (LAA)
Addison Reed (MIN)
A.J. Ramos (NYM) – Ramos was a second-tier closer with the Marlins. Now as the backup in New York, his value takes a hit as he won’t be recorded as many saves. However, that didn’t stop me from saying you should draft him over Jeurys Familia. He will provide you with good ratios and strikeouts with some saves sprinkled in there. I think the price is a little too high on Familia, making Ramos a good value pick.
Zach Britton (BAL) – Britton is recovering from a ruptured Achilles’ tendon he suffered back in December and will miss four to six months. That puts his latest date of return around June. If you have a DL spot available, you could stash Britton on your roster until he returns.
Kyle Barraclough (MIA)
Chad Green (NYY)
Chris Devenski (HOU)
Alex Claudio (TEX) – Claudio has been a consistent arm in the Rangers bullpen for the last four seasons. It wasn’t until last season when management decided to pitch him in the ninth inning. In the ninth inning last year, 29.2 innings, Claudio posted a 2.12 ERA, 0.876 WHIP, 22 strikeouts and four walks. He also recorded 11 saves. Now, with a full season as the closer scheduled, Claudio will take that to the next level. He doesn’t strike out enough batters but does keep them off the bases with limited walks and hits. The Rangers offense needs to stay healthy and the rotation needs help from at least one of their new additions. If that all happens, then Claudio is a top-15 reliever.
Brad Peacock (HOU)
Shane Greene (DET)
David Robertson (NYY)
Luke Gregerson (STL)
Fernando Rodney (MIN) – Rodney continues to get work, despite his poor ratios. He hasn’t recorded an ERA under 3.00 since 2014. Yet, he continues to rack up saves. In 61 games with the Diamondbacks, Rodney recorded another 39 saves. Now with the Twins, Rodney will, yet again, be in line to record another 20-30 saves. Just be aware of the high ratios.
Dellin Betances (NYY)
Greg Holland (FA) – After missing the whole 2016 season, Holland signed with the Rockies and posted a great comeback season. Well, first half at least. In 57.1 innings, he recorded 41 saves with a 3.61 ERA, 1.151 WHIP, 11.0 K/9 and 4.1 BB/9. He had a 6.38 ERA and 1.333 WHIP in the second half. Now, a free agent, Holland is looking to join a team that would use him as a closer. The Angels and Cardinals are two teams reported to be interested in him. Signing with a playoff-contending team would push him up the rankings.
Blake Parker (LAA)
Blake Treinen (OAK) – Treinen was traded to Oakland at the deadline last season. He recorded 13 saves with a 2.13 ERA, 1.158 WHIP, 9.9 K/9 and 2.8 BB/9 in 38.0 innings. Slated as the A’s closer, he has a solid offense behind him to give him run support throughout the season. Treinen is another sleeper pick of mine this season.
Archie Bradley (ARI) – I talked enough about the effects the humidor will be in my starting pitcher rankings. Bradley will also benefit, especially in those high-pressure situations. He found his calling as a relief pitcher and could be a top-20 reliever this season. Draft with confidence.
Brad Brach (BAL)
Jeurys Familia (NYM)
Arodys Vizcaino (ATL) – With Jim Johnson no longer on the team, Vizcaino has the Braves closer job to himself. He’s shown flashes of top-guy stuff in his previous two seasons but looked to have put it all together last season. He recorded 14 saves with a 2.83 ERA, 1.099 WHIP, 10.0 K/9 and 3.3 BB/9. Outside of the Nationals and a few hitters on the other teams, the NL East doesn’t have the best offenses. If he can lower his walk rate a tad, he’ll be closer to a top-10 reliever.
Kelvin Herrera (KC)
Brandon Morrow (CHC) – After struggling as a starter early in his career, Morrow turned it around as a relief pitcher. Last season with the Dodgers, he finished with a 2.06 ERA, 0.916 WHIP, 10.3 K/9 and 1.9 BB/9 in 43.2 innings. He signed with the Cubs this offseason, giving him the first shot at team saves and an increased fantasy value.
Mark Melancon (SF)
Hector Neris (PHI)
Andrew Miller (CLE) – A high-strikeout, low ratios pitcher, Miller will do everything a top closer can, just without the saves.
Alexander Colome (TB)
Sean Doolittle (WAS)
Brad Hand (SD)
Wade Davis (COL) – After Greg Holland decided to opt out, the Rockies were in need of a closer. Davis became a free agent after this season. In his first and only season with the Cubs, he pitched well, so the Rockies decided to go after him. I wrote about the fantasy impact of the move already but I expect another good season from the 32-year-old reliever.
Raisel Iglesias (CIN) – The Reds closer had his breakout season last year. He finished with 28 saves, a 2.49 ERA, 1.105 WHIP, 10.9 K/9 and 3.2 BB/9. The walk rate needs work if he’s going to make it into the top five. I wrote about him being a sleeper closer. I would like him as my No. 1 closer if I could pair him with a top-20 option later in the draft.
Cody Allen (CLE) – Miller’s bullpen-mate, Allen has been lights out as the Indians’ closer over the last three seasons. He’s recorded a combined 96 saves, 2.81 ERA and 1.109 WHIP in that span. Allen saw his ERA get close to 3.00 again but he paired that with a 1;158 WHIP, 12.3 K/9 and 2.8 BB/9. The AL Central has three awful offenses. The only competition he’ll face is on his own team.
Edwin Diaz (SEA) – Diaz recorded some saves for the Mariners in 2016 before becoming the team’s full-time closer. With the added usage, his ratio stats went up a bit. Diaz finished with a 3.27 ERA, 1.152 WHIP, 12.1 K/9, 4.4 BB/9 and 34 saves. The strikeout rate and saves were his saving grace. If he could lower his walk rate, he’ll rank a little higher next season. Pitching in the revamped AL West, he’ll face some pretty tough hitters. Be careful as his 1.4 HR/9 could get closer to 1.6 this season.
Roberto Osuna (TOR) – Osuna’s ERA has increased over the last three seasons. Yet, he was able to improve his WHIP, strikeout rate and walk rate last season. He finished with a 3.38 ERA, 0.859 WHIP, 11.7 K/9 and 1.3 BB/9. Still just 23 years old, Osuna is on his way to being a top closer in the league. I would have put him in my top five but the guys ahead of him offer much more. While being my No. 7 ranked reliever may not seem like he’s a sleeper, he’s still flying under the radar with an 81.0 ADP.
Ken Giles (HOU) – Giles pitched to an average season in his first year with the Astros. He took a complete 180 last season. In 62.2 innings, he posted a 2.30 ERA, 1.037 WHIP and 34 saves. I wrote back in October that he is a top-five closer. That obviously changed but he could easily finish there at the end of the season.
Felipe Rivero is one of the least experienced relievers on my list, but he’s already making a name for himself.
After spending time with the Nationals for a season and a half, Rivero was traded to Pittsburgh in 2016 as a part of the Mark Melancon trade. He spent the next year and a half as a middle reliever, backing up Tony Watson until he was traded.
Rivero recorded 21 saves with a 1.67 ERA, 0.889 WHIP, 10.5 K/9 and 2.4 BB/9 in 75.1 innings. I may be jumping the gun and expecting a lot out of Rivero in his second full season as the Pirates closer but I’m okay with that. I list him as my 34234th sleeper reliever but I mean it this time. He will continue his breakout this season.
Other sites have him outside of the top five but I see the potential in Rivero as an elite closer. The Pirates may not have the offense to carry the pitching staff to a win and a save but Rivero can still be a shut-down relief pitcher like an Andrew Miller.
I do expect a rise in his ratio stats. Then again, posting a 2.65 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 85 strikeouts and 21 walks isn’t a bad stat line to have in your lineup.
Rivero will fall to the 12th round in standard leagues. If you are lucky enough to draft him, you have yourself the steal of the draft.
Corey Knebel slowly broke out as a top fantasy reliever last season. He eventually finished as a must-own closer and is ranked as a top-five closer this season.
He started out as the Brewers set-up man behind Neftali Feliz. After he was released, Knebel stepped up and dominated as their closer. He finished with a total of 39 saves with a 1.78 ERA, 1.158 WHIP, 14.9 K/9 and 4.7 BB/9.
There’s a lot to like from Knebel. The high strikeout rate is one of them. He was one of the few relief pitchers to strike out over 100 batters last season. This is what I was talking about in the introduction. A reliever with that kind of stuff is hard to find. Adding another 100-plus strikeout pitcher to your lineup will help you win that category.
The only negative was his high walk rate. Then again, that’s been his only bad stat throughout his career. He had a 51.5 first-pitch strike rate and a 43.6 swinging rate. Opposing batters were just not swinging at much of his stuff.
With the improvements the Brewers made to their offense, Knebel will have enough run support to earn another 35 saves. The only thing he has to worry about is his starting pitchers not giving up more runs.
Knebel is an RP1 as a 10th round pick. That is great value for those who wait for a closer.
Aroldis Chapman had a bit of a down year last year. That didn’t stop him from striking out 69 batters over 50.1 innings. He missed some time during the season with rotator cuff inflammation.
He finished with a 3.22 ERA, 1.132 WHIP and 22 saves for the season. But, after shaking off a hamstring injury, Chapman finished the season strong, with a 0.00 ERA, 0.416 WHIP, 17 strikeouts and two walks in his final 12.0 innings.
He carried that success over into the playoffs, posting a 1.13 ERA, 1.125 WHIP, 16 strikeouts and two walks in 8.0 innings. If the season was another month longer, Chapman’s stats would look a little different.
The odds of Chapman missing significant time again are slim. He is a 100-plus MPH thrower, so things could go wrong but I wouldn’t expect it. He has a lot of support around him, which is why a majority of them made the rankings as well. The Yankees don’t want to have to use Chapman for more than an inning.
Because of some inconsistencies, he falls to No. 3 but with what he’s done and can do this season, that’s not a bad spot for him. He can notch 100 strikeouts with 34 saves this season.
Craig Kimbrel threw his best season since 2014. In 69.0 innings, he posted a 1.43 ERA, 0.681 WHIP, 16.4 K/9 and 1.8 BB/9 with 35 saves. He finished second to the next guy in reliever ERA and WHIP. Kimbrel was almost striking out two batters per inning. That’s crazy.
Looking at his career, though, it’s hard to imagine Kimbrel keeping his walk rate under 2.0 again. With some of the top walking teams playing in the AL East, that could be the reality.
Boston improved their lineup offensively, but still have a hole in the bullpen. That is why Red Sox new manager Alex Cora said he will use Kimbrel in all aspects of the game, not just in save situations.
This hurts Kimbrel’s value some because instead of recording 37 saves, he’ll drop to 30. Granted, having a 2.30 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 100 strikeouts and 30 saves isn’t a bad thing.
Kimbrel is the second-best reliever in the league. If he can do what he did in 2017 and keep his walk rate below a 1.5, he’ll be in the top spot next season. Until then, the 29-year-old closer will continue to strike out batters at a ridiculous rate.
I did not think it was possible for Kenley Jansen to get any better, but he did in 2017.
He posted a 1.32 ERA, 0.746 WHIP, 14.4 K/9, 0.9 BB/9 and 41 saves. Jansen gave up nine more hits last year than in 2016 but he improved in every other category.
Jansen caused more swinging strikes, first-pitch strikes, swings out of the strike zone and less contact on his pitches. Opposing hitters could not even get a tip of the ball.
The NL West did get a little better with the Giants adding two veterans, the Rockies are still a powerhouse, the Diamondbacks have a solid lineup and the Padres can be sneaky good this year. Even the best hitters are no match for Jansen.
I usually don’t like to pay for saves early in the draft, you cannot find a relief pitcher with the caliber of Jansen anywhere else. He is guaranteed 100 strikeouts, an ERA under 2.00 and 35 saves with the Dodgers. That is elite performance.
Jansen will likely be drafted before the sixth inning in standard leagues. Get him while you can.
Relief pitchers are more than just closers. They are innings eaters. They are strikeout machines. They are ratio controllers. You obviously need a couple of recorded saves but you can also roster some that can do everything else. Who knows, those set-up men just might become closers in the second half.
If you missed any of my rankings, check out the links below.
Catcher, first base, second base, third base, shortstop, outfield and starting pitcher.