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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 8.
The second half of May means the weather is getting warmer and we're going from 25% of the season down to 33% in the books. You should know how aggressive to be in targeting prospective saves as well as how loosely you can play it with your ratios. This is geared towards traditional 5x5 roto leagues with some mentions for hold candidates and ratio anchors. This week has been exceptionally busy but the ranks are here for you.
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.
This article comes complete with a Baller Ranks google sheet where you'll find the usual 5x5 categories, saves, holds, strikeout rates, Called + Swinging Strike rates, and so on. Please note that those stats are exported from Fangraphs.
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Top 101 Relief Pitchers for Fantasy Baseball
| Tier | Player | Rank | (+/-) | EV | $ | $PV | Trend | Notes |
| 1 | Josh Hader | 1 | 0 | 6.8 | 15.0 | 15.0 | 0.0 ▬ | MIL has lost 5 of 6 but SVs will come |
| 1 | Aroldis Chapman | 2 | 0 | 9.4 | 15.0 | 15.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Over 2 Ks per inning, wowzers |
| 2 | Liam Hendriks | 3 | 0 | 3.3 | 13.5 | 13.5 | 0.0 ▬ | Trio of clean saves this past week, excellent |
| 2 | Craig Kimbrel | 4 | 0 | 6.1 | 13.0 | 13.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Rebounded from May 15 hiccup w/ 2 great SVs |
| 2 | Matt Barnes | 5 | 0 | 9.4 | 12.0 | 12.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 2 | Raisel Iglesias | 6 | 0 | 0.9 | 12.0 | 12.0 | 0.0 ▬ | The lofty BABIP, HR/9 rates are dropping; looks good |
| 2 | Edwin Diaz | 7 | 0 | 4.6 | 11.5 | 11.5 | 0.0 ▬ | Worked 3 straight, 2 SVs; he looks healthy |
| 2 | Kenley Jansen | 8 | 0 | 0.8 | 10.0 | 10.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Were you ever worried that LAD wouldn't generate save opps? |
| 2 | Ryan Pressly | 9 | 0 | 5.5 | 9.0 | 9.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 2 | Mark Melancon | 10 | 0 | 3.7 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 0.0 ▬ | A real late-round RP savior |
| 2 | Richard Rodriguez | 11 | 0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 7.5 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 3 | William Smith | 12 | 1 | 4.4 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 3 | Hector Neris | 13 | 1 | 1.7 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 3 | Brad Hand | 14 | -2 | -0.5 | 5.0 | 6.5 | -1.5 ▼ | Has yielded at least 1 run in 4 of last 5 |
| 3 | Ian Kennedy | 15 | 2 | 2.8 | 5.0 | 4.5 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 3 | Cesar Valdez | 16 | 0 | 6.7 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 0.0 ▬ | 3 ER in his last 2 games, needs to steady |
| 3 | Alex Reyes | 17 | 2 | 3.1 | 4.5 | 4.0 | 0.5 ▲ | Hitters are whiffing or walking, 12/7 K/BB in last 6 IP |
| 3 | James Karinchak | 18 | 3 | 8.0 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 1.0 ▲ | Back-to-back SVs May 18-19 |
| 3 | Yimi Garcia | 19 | 1 | 0.7 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 0.0 ▬ | No walks since April 12, it's his job |
| 4 | Emmanuel Clase | 20 | -5 | 3.6 | 4.0 | 4.5 | -0.5 ▼ | Lost the zone lately, 6 BB in last 3.2 IP |
| 4 | Jake McGee | 21 | -3 | 1.8 | 4.0 | 4.5 | -0.5 ▼ | Still solid but Rogers has joined the action |
| 4 | Kendall Graveman | 22 | 0 | 6.0 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 4 | Josh Staumont | 23 | 7 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 2.0 | 1.0 ▲ | 3 SVs 4/24-28; then 0 'til 5/18, then B2B SVs |
| 4 | Diego Castillo | 24 | 0 | 1.3 | 3.0 | 0.0 | 3.0 ▲ | Solo HR in May 16 return but he looks solid |
| 4 | Lucas Sims | 25 | -1 | 0.8 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 0.0 ▬ | Inconsistent, 3 BBs in 2 of his last 6 |
| 4 | Jake Diekman | 26 | 0 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 4 | Stefan Crichton | 27 | 0 | 1.0 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 5 | Lou Trivino | 28 | 0 | 0.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 ▬ | 4 straight scoreless after 5 ER meltdown |
| 5 | Rafael Dolis | 29 | 0 | 0.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 2.0 ▲ | Ugly Thursday, likely committee in TOR |
| 5 | Michael Fulmer | 30 | 45 | 5.8 | 2.0 | 0.5 | 1.5 ▲ | SVs on May 5, 13, 17; 5 straight walkless games |
| 5 | Tyler Rogers | 31 | 10 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 ▲ | 3 SVs since 5/13, only 2 ER all year |
| 5 | Tejay Antone | 32 | 1 | 3.0 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 5 | Daniel Bard | 33 | -1 | 0.6 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 0.0 ▬ | Only 1 ER, 6/1 K/BB in last 5 |
| 5 | Giovanny Gallegos | 34 | -3 | 5.3 | 1.5 | 2.0 | -0.5 ▼ | |
| 5 | Hansel Robles | 35 | 29 | 0.8 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 1.0 ▲ | 11/2 K/BB, 2 SVs last 5. ugly 1/5 K/BB previous 5 |
| 5 | Jordan Romano | 36 | -7 | 1.9 | 1.5 | 2.0 | -0.5 ▼ | |
| 6 | Taylor Rogers | 37 | -14 | 3.9 | 1.5 | 3.5 | -2.0 ▼ | 6 runs (5 ER) in 6 May games, not ideal |
| 6 | Gregory Soto | 38 | -13 | 0.8 | 1.5 | 2.5 | -1.0 ▼ | Still in late-inning mix but Fulmer has edge |
| 6 | Michael Kopech | 39 | -5 | 7.6 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 6 | Daniel Hudson | 40 | -5 | 1.2 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Looks great, won't be shocked if Hand gets a break soon |
| 6 | Austin Adams | 41 | 7 | 3.2 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | 13/1 K/BB over scoreless 6.1 IP in May |
| 6 | Pete Fairbanks | 42 | -3 | 0.9 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Notched ugly SV on 5/19, wasn't Castillo right away |
| 6 | Rafael Montero | 43 | -5 | -0.4 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 6 | Jonathan Loaisiga | 44 | 8 | 3.6 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Looks like the backup to Chap over Green |
| 6 | Mychal Givens | 45 | -9 | -2.7 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 6 | Jose Alvarado | 46 | -2 | -0.1 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 6 | J.P. Feyereisen | 47 | -4 | 0.6 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 7 | Trevor May | 48 | 2 | 2.8 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 7 | Chad Green | 49 | -9 | 3.8 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 7 | Andrew Kittredge | 50 | 1 | 2.8 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 7 | Aaron Bummer | 51 | 2 | 2.1 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 7 | Blake Treinen | 52 | 6 | 4.2 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 7 | Chris Martin | 53 | 6 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | 3 perfect innings since return |
| 7 | Joely Rodriguez | 54 | -5 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 7 | Garrett Whitlock | 55 | -9 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 7 | Mike Mayers | 56 | -9 | -0.9 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 7 | Emilio Pagan | 57 | 5 | -0.7 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 8 | Tanner Scott | 58 | -2 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 8 | Yusmeiro Petit | 59 | -2 | 4.9 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 8 | Jeffrey Springs | 60 | -15 | 1.2 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | TB is committee paradise but he's third at best |
| 8 | Dylan Floro | 61 | -7 | 4.9 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 8 | Sean Doolittle | 62 | -7 | 0.6 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 8 | Devin Williams | 63 | -21 | -1.7 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Not overwhelming, no SVs, no interest |
| 8 | Sam Coonrod | 64 | -3 | 3.4 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 9 | Paul Fry | 65 | 0 | 5.9 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 9 | Greg Holland | 66 | 0 | -2.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 9 | Victor Gonzalez | 67 | 1 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 9 | Alex Colome | 68 | 1 | -1.1 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | May: 7.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 8 K; Robles surging but could regain 9th |
| 9 | Scott Barlow | 69 | 1 | 6.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | Plenty of Ks but periphery of 9th opps |
| 9 | Jorge Alcala | 70 | -10 | -1.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 9 | A.J. Minter | 71 | -8 | 4.0 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 10 | Tyler Chatwood | 72 | -1 | 4.8 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 10 | Craig Stammen | 73 | -1 | 2.9 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 10 | Josh Sborz | 74 | 6 | 2.3 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 10 | Tyler Matzek | 75 | 6 | 1.7 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 10 | Rex Brothers | 76 | 6 | 2.4 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 10 | Ryan Weathers | 77 | 2 | 3.3 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 10 | David Phelps | 78 | 5 | 2.8 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 10 | Andrew Chafin | 79 | 14 | 2.4 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 10 | Jordan Sheffield | 80 | 0 | 1.7 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | Could creep into COL 9th |
| 10 | Sam Howard | 81 | 0 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 10 | Ryan Helsley | 82 | -6 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 11 | Adam Plutko | 83 | 4 | -0.1 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 11 | Jeurys Familia | 84 | 1 | 2.2 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 11 | Nick Wittgren | 85 | 4 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 11 | Aaron Loup | 86 | -13 | 4.3 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 11 | Chris Rodriguez | 87 | -20 | 1.6 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 11 | Tyler Duffey | 88 | -10 | -0.4 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | Suspended; nowhere near 9th |
| 11 | Joakim Soria | 89 | 1 | -0.7 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 11 | Wander Suero | 90 | 4 | -0.2 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 11 | Duane Underwood Jr. | 91 | -5 | 2.6 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 11 | Ryan Tepera | 92 | 0 | 1.4 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 12 | Anthony Castro | 93 | 2 | 2.7 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 12 | Heath Hembree | 94 | -3 | 2.6 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 12 | Miguel Castro | 95 | -3 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 12 | John King | 96 | 0 | 2.6 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 12 | Adam Cimber | 97 | 0 | 2.2 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 12 | Cole Sulser | 98 | 0 | 2.6 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 12 | Kevin Ginkel | 99 | 0 | -4.1 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 12 | Amir Garrett | 100 | 0 | -3.2 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 12 | Garrett Crochet | 101 | 0 | 2.0 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 ▬ |
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