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Nick Mariano's Baller Ranks is a weekly fantasy baseball rankings list for the top 101 relief pitchers and closers. He ranks and analyzes updated pitcher values for Week 18.
Welcome to the final one-third of the season, fellow RotoBallers. August is here and I'm moving my usual publication of this around because the FAAB Sunday after the trade deadline is special. Pitchers are settling into new uniforms and new roles, so let's check in on my top 101 RP Baller Ranks, which are geared towards traditional 5x5 roto leagues with potential mentions for hold candidates and ratio anchors. I hadn't published this since my All-Star break Rest of Season ranks due to time constraints, so be mindful of that as you soak in the +/- movement.
I decided to leave off most injured players because throwing darts at potential return dates and roles is usually a poor use of time. Each name below comes with the weekly rank, their movement compared to last week, their current value with my salary-cap lens, Earned Value per Fangraphs, and then many have some notes with brief thoughts with the EV column (and others in the sheet to follow) pertaining to the past month. April, May, June...it's all so yesterday.
This article comes complete with a Baller Ranks google sheet (click it!) where you'll find the usual 5x5 categories, saves, holds, strikeout rates, Called + Swinging Strike rates, and so on for the past month. Please note that those stats are exported from Fangraphs.
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Top 101 Relief Pitchers for Fantasy Baseball - Week 18
| Tier | Player | Rank | (+/-) | EV | $ | $PV | Trend | Notes |
| 1 | Liam Hendriks | 1 | 1 | 3.7 | 15.0 | 14.0 | 1.0 ▲ | Status quo gives Liam edge over Craig |
| 1 | Raisel Iglesias | 2 | 3 | 4.1 | 14.0 | 12.0 | 2.0 ▲ | Kimbrel trade means Iggy could be No. 1 |
| 1 | Matt Barnes | 3 | 1 | 0.7 | 14.0 | 13.5 | 0.5 ▲ | Still the man for BOS |
| 1 | Josh Hader | 4 | -3 | -2.8 | 13.5 | 15.0 | -1.5 ▼ | Fading lately, at least 40% K rate holding |
| 1 | Craig Kimbrel | 5 | -2 | 3.0 | 13.0 | 14.0 | -1.0 ▼ | Projected 1B as the "new guy" |
| 1 | Aroldis Chapman | 6 | 5 | -1.3 | 12.0 | 12.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Rounding back into form, breathe |
| 2 | Edwin Diaz | 7 | -1 | 2.0 | 12.0 | 12.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Bumps and bruises part of the experience |
| 2 | Ryan Pressly | 8 | 0 | 1.0 | 10.0 | 9.0 | 1.0 ▲ | Graveman/Garcia help form bridge to 9th |
| 2 | Mark Melancon | 9 | 1 | 0.0 | 8.5 | 8.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 2 | William Smith | 10 | 2 | 1.3 | 8.0 | 5.5 | 2.5 ▲ | Still primary closer, RichRod may sneak in |
| 2 | Kenley Jansen | 11 | -4 | -0.1 | 8.0 | 11.0 | -3.0 ▼ | 2 scoreless frames after 7 ER v. SF |
| 3 | Alex Reyes | 12 | 1 | -0.2 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 1.0 ▲ | Where are those Ks? Walks still here... |
| 3 | Lou Trivino | 13 | 3 | 1.8 | 5.5 | 4.5 | 1.0 ▲ | Foot down as OAK closer |
| 3 | Daniel Bard | 14 | 4 | 0.0 | 5.0 | 4.5 | 0.5 ▲ | Surprisingly not moved, it's his job |
| 3 | Emmanuel Clase | 15 | -1 | 0.8 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Still splitting with JK, low BBs help |
| 3 | Jordan Romano | 16 | -1 | -2.3 | 5.0 | 4.5 | 0.5 ▲ | Should have 9th ahead of scuffling Hand |
| 3 | Jake McGee | 17 | 4 | 2.8 | 5.0 | 3.5 | 1.5 ▲ | Clearly SF's best 'pen arm |
| 3 | Diego Castillo | 18 | 4 | 1.4 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 1.0 ▲ | Will be used like Graveman, some non-9th |
| 3 | Ian Kennedy | 20 | 5 | 1.6 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 ▲ | Steps in as PHI closer, Suarez to rotation |
| 4 | James Karinchak | 19 | 0 | -3.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 4 | Gregory Soto | 21 | 12 | -0.9 | 4.0 | 1.5 | 2.5 ▲ | High walks are problem but SVs flowing |
| 4 | Tyler Rogers | 22 | -2 | 0.9 | 4.0 | 3.5 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 4 | Kyle Finnegan | 26 | N/A | 2.8 | 3.5 | 0.0 | 3.5 ▲ | Could hold the job through 2021 |
| 4 | Cole Sulser | 23 | 4 | 0.6 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 ▲ | Scooped up a save, worth eyeing |
| 4 | Tyler Duffey | 25 | 54 | -0.8 | 3.0 | 0.5 | 2.5 ▲ | Duffey? Colome? Rogers on IL opens door |
| 4 | Dylan Floro | 27 | 56 | 1.9 | 3.0 | 0.5 | 2.5 ▲ | Bender is a fireman, Floro is favorite for 9th |
| 5 | Tyler Clippard | 28 | N/A | 0.9 | 3.0 | 0.0 | 3.0 ▲ | |
| 5 | Giovanny Gallegos | 29 | 0 | -0.5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 5 | Brad Hand | 30 | -21 | -0.1 | 2.0 | 7.5 | -5.5 ▼ | In a timeshare as southpaw at best |
| 5 | Scott Barlow | 31 | 6 | 1.6 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 ▲ | |
| 5 | Heath Hembree | 38 | N/A | 4.2 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 1.5 ▲ | Favorite for SVs until Sims is back |
| 5 | Chris Stratton | 81 | N/A | -1.2 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 1.5 ▲ | We want Bednar but he got 9th July 31 |
| 5 | David Bednar | 24 | N/A | 2.0 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 1.5 ▲ | Worked 8th while Stratton lined up for 9th |
| 5 | Greg Holland | 32 | 0 | -1.0 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 5 | Spencer Patton | 33 | N/A | 0.3 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 1.5 ▲ | TEX closer committee chair w/ big Ks |
| 5 | Jose Cisnero | 34 | 0 | -2.3 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 6 | Blake Treinen | 35 | 0 | 4.5 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 0.5 ▲ | Looks good, Jansen may rest before Oct. |
| 6 | Jake Diekman | 36 | 0 | 0.9 | 1.5 | 2.0 | -0.5 ▼ | |
| 6 | Chad Green | 37 | 2 | 2.8 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 6 | Richard Rodriguez | 39 | -22 | 0.4 | 1.0 | 5.0 | -4.0 ▼ | |
| 6 | Jeffrey Springs | 40 | 59 | -0.2 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.5 ▲ | TB will mix it up, Springs part of that |
| 6 | Seth Lugo | 41 | -3 | -1.2 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 6 | Amir Garrett | 42 | -14 | 4.4 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.5 ▲ | Takes a step back just as trust builds |
| 6 | Jonathan Loaisiga | 43 | -3 | 3.9 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 6 | Anthony Bender | 52 | 17 | 1.2 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 6 | Yusmeiro Petit | 44 | -2 | -0.8 | 1.0 | 1.5 | -0.5 ▼ | |
| 6 | Austin Adams | 45 | -2 | -0.6 | 1.0 | 1.5 | -0.5 ▼ | |
| 6 | Matt Wisler | 46 | 17 | 3.9 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | TB 9th open until Anderson, Fairbanks are back |
| 6 | Kyle Ryan | 51 | N/A | -0.5 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 ▲ | Secured first post-Kimbrel era save |
| 7 | Paul Sewald | 47 | 8 | 3.2 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 ▲ | |
| 7 | Drew Pomeranz | 48 | -3 | 0.3 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 ▲ | |
| 7 | Rex Brothers | 49 | N/A | -2.3 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 ▲ | |
| 7 | Codi Heuer | 50 | N/A | 0.1 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 ▲ | |
| 7 | Archie Bradley | 53 | -6 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 7 | Cristian Javier | 54 | -6 | 2.3 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 7 | Andrew Kittredge | 55 | N/A | 2.6 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 ▲ | |
| 7 | Adam Ottavino | 57 | -5 | 1.6 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 ▲ | |
| 7 | Brent Suter | 58 | 20 | -0.1 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 8 | Devin Williams | 59 | 13 | 1.4 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 8 | Alex Colome | 69 | N/A | 0.7 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 ▲ | Duffey has edge but could reclaim 9th |
| 8 | Michael Lorenzen | 79 | N/A | 0.5 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 ▲ | He's back! |
| 8 | Drew Steckenrider | 56 | -6 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 8 | Kendall Graveman | 61 | -35 | 4.1 | 1.0 | 3.0 | -2.0 ▼ | |
| 8 | Brad Boxberger | 62 | -9 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 8 | Victor Gonzalez | 63 | -9 | -0.4 | 0.5 | 1.0 | -0.5 ▼ | |
| 8 | Josh Staumont | 64 | -8 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 1.0 | -0.5 ▼ | |
| 8 | Michael Fulmer | 65 | N/A | 0.6 | 0.5 | 1.0 | -0.5 ▼ | May re-enter 9th conversation |
| 9 | Trevor May | 76 | N/A | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 9 | Josh Taylor | 66 | -9 | 1.4 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 9 | Paul Fry | 67 | -9 | 3.5 | 0.5 | 1.5 | -1.0 ▼ | |
| 9 | Jose Alvarado | 68 | -22 | -1.3 | 0.5 | 1.0 | -0.5 ▼ | |
| 9 | Joely Rodriguez | 70 | -21 | -1.4 | 0.5 | 1.0 | -0.5 ▼ | |
| 9 | Anthony Bass | 71 | -11 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 1.0 | -0.5 ▼ | Usually working the 7th still |
| 9 | Aaron Bummer | 72 | -11 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 1.0 | -0.5 ▼ | |
| 9 | Garrett Whitlock | 73 | -11 | 2.6 | 0.5 | 1.0 | -0.5 ▼ | |
| 10 | Emilio Pagan | 74 | -10 | -0.1 | 0.5 | 1.0 | -0.5 ▼ | |
| 10 | Chris Martin | 75 | -16 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 1.0 | -0.5 ▼ | |
| 10 | Zack Britton | 77 | N/A | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 10 | Garrett Crochet | 78 | -12 | 2.7 | 0.5 | 1.0 | -0.5 ▼ | |
| 10 | Mike Mayers | 80 | -13 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 1.0 | -0.5 ▼ | |
| 10 | Dillon Tate | 82 | 8 | -0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 10 | Hector Neris | 83 | -18 | 0.1 | 0.5 | 1.5 | -1.0 ▼ | |
| 10 | Joe Barlow | 84 | N/A | 0.7 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | Closer potential if TEX willing to utilize |
| 10 | Josh Sborz | 85 | 16 | -0.9 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 10 | Joakim Soria | 60 | -29 | 3.0 | 0.5 | 2.0 | -1.5 ▼ | |
| 11 | J.B. Bukauskas | 86 | N/A | -1.9 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 11 | Brad Brach | 87 | -14 | -0.8 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 11 | Aaron Loup | 88 | -14 | 1.7 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 11 | Andrew Chafin | 89 | -13 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 11 | Mychal Givens | 97 | N/A | 1.3 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 11 | Tyler Matzek | 90 | -10 | 1.7 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 11 | Tanner Rainey | 91 | -10 | -0.1 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | WSH may test as closer after IL rust goes |
| 11 | JT Chargois | 92 | -10 | 1.4 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 12 | Yimi Garcia | 93 | -70 | -2.5 | 0.5 | 3.0 | -2.5 ▼ | |
| 12 | Kyle Funkhouser | 94 | 1 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 12 | Craig Stammen | 95 | -10 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 12 | Hirokazu Sawamura | 96 | -8 | -2.7 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 12 | Jarlin Garcia | 98 | -7 | 2.3 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 12 | Austin Pruitt | 99 | N/A | -1.6 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 12 | Nestor Cortes | 100 | 0 | 4.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 12 | Tim Hill | 101 | -5 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.5 ▲ |
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