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The Baller Ranks: Weekly Top 70 Relief Pitcher Rankings

Nick Mariano's Baller Ranks is a weekly fantasy baseball rankings list for the top 70 relief pitchers and closers. He ranks and analyzes updated pitcher values for Week 4.

Welcome to the first version of my 2021 Relief Pitcher Baller Ranks, where we take a weekly peek at my top 70 relievers moving forward. This is geared towards traditional 5x5 roto leagues, with the understanding that RPs are as volatile as it gets.

You'll notice that I leave off most injured players because throwing darts at potential return dates and roles is usually a poor use of time. Usually, I'll provide a table with brief notes on a few arms followed by a fuller notes section, but here I just wrote notes for all of them within the table because I got excited.

This is the first "full" version of this article for 2021, complete with a Baller Ranks google sheet where you'll find the usual 5x5 categories, strikeout rates, Called + Swinging Strike rates, and so on. Please note that those stats are exported from Fangraphs and are good through April 21.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and resources:

 

Top 70 Relief Pitchers for Fantasy Baseball - Week 4

Rank (+/-) $ Tier Player EV PV Trend Notes
1 0 15.0 1 Josh Hader 2.6 14.0 1.0 ▲ Worth the price of admission as RP1, SVs and Ks
2 0 13.5 1 Liam Hendriks -0.3 14.0 -0.5 ▼ Still sporting elite control, hold the line
3 0 13.5 1 Aroldis Chapman 3.1 13.5 0.0 ▬ A lot of whiffs, even for Chapman; Bright spot for NYY
4 3 13.0 2 Craig Kimbrel 3.2 11.0 2.0 ▲ Hard to 100% trust still but we know what he can do
5 -1 12.0 2 Raisel Iglesias -0.5 12.0 0.0 ▬ Bet CIN wishes they had a closer like Iglesias
6 -1 11.5 2 Edwin Diaz 1.8 11.5 0.0 ▬ Expecting a jump in SV opps and strikeouts, solid closer
7 3 10.0 2 Kenley Jansen 2.4 8.0 2.0 ▲ Throwing sharp cutters, early walks are uncharacteristic
8 6 9.5 3 Matt Barnes 4.2 6.0 3.5 ▲ That 50% strikeout rate next to a low walk rate is beautiful
9 -3 8.0 3 Brad Hand 0.6 11.5 -3.5 ▼ Just cruising along through six scoreless to open '21
10 -2 7.5 3 Ryan Pressly 1.7 8.5 -1.0 ▼ HOU not giving him much to work with
11 -2 7.0 3 William Smith 1.8 8.0 -1.0 ▼ Have to like the whiffs; have to trim the walks
12 0 6.5 3 Jake McGee 1.2 6.5 0.0 ▬ Frontrunner for "Late-Round RP MVP" is back in action
13 0 6.0 3 Hector Neris 2.3 6.5 -0.5 ▼ It's his 9th whenever PHI wants to give him a SV opp
14 1 6.0 3 Diego Castillo 1.8 6.0 0.0 ▬ Continues to prosper with Anderson & Fairbanks injured
15 15 5.5 4 Emmanuel Clase 2.4 2.0 3.5 ▲ Putting foot down on bulk of 9th-inning chances
16 1 5.0 4 Mark Melancon 3.5 5.0 0.0 ▬ Doesn't need big Ks to generate value as clear SD stopper
17 9 4.5 4 Richard Rodriguez 2.3 2.0 2.5 ▲ PIT generating few chances but RichRod looks great
18 1 4.0 4 Yimi Garcia 1.3 4.0 0.0 ▬ The transition occurred quicker than I'd thought, enjoy
19 12 3.5 4 Cesar Valdez 3.4 2.0 1.5 ▲ Some speed bumps will come but it's all profit
20 -4 3.0 5 Alex Reyes 0.5 6.0 -3.0 ▼ Came out hot but fewer whiffs, even K/BB rate; Hicks soon?
21 -1 2.5 5 Rafael Montero -0.6 3.5 -1.0 ▼ Now has a buddy in Graveman for the 9th inning
22 0 2.5 5 Ian Kennedy 0.6 3.0 -0.5 ▼ Yet to issue a free pass across 8 IP; summer trade candidate?
28 -3 2.5 5 Lou Trivino 0.2 2.0 0.5 ▲ OAK has wanted Trivino to assert himself, here we go
23 -2 2.5 5 Daniel Bard 0.7 3.5 -1.0 ▼ You knew the deal signing up for Coors
24 9 2.0 5 Lucas Sims 0.5 1.5 0.5 ▲ Sims slipped on Thursday; still Rivera compared to Amir now
25 -1 2.0 5 Jake Diekman 1.8 2.0 0.0 ▬ Still the 1B southpaw option for saves in OAK
26 2 2.0 6 Giovanny Gallegos 1.2 2.5 -0.5 ▼ We all want him to close, I know; elite fireman
27 40 2.0 6 Tejay Antone 2.1 0.0 2.0 ▲ Maybe CIN tries him in the 9th, but they need a fireman
29 -6 2.0 6 Drew Pomeranz 1.1 2.5 -0.5 ▼ The whiffs are there; the .417 BABIP will calm down
30 19 2.0 6 Michael Kopech 4.2 1.0 1.0 ▲ Rostering he and Antone is cash thus far, enjoy it
31 8 2.0 6 James Karinchak 3.2 1.0 1.0 ▲ May get handful of saves, but elite ratios & Ks will also do
32 2 1.5 6 Stefan Crichton 1.6 1.5 0.0 ▬ Pair of saves last week, not a reliable lock-it-in arm though
33 -22 1.5 6 Amir Garrett -4.6 7.0 -5.5 ▼ Simply looks lost out there, way too wild to trust near 9th
34 -16 1.5 6 Greg Holland -4.7 4.0 -2.5 ▼ Ditto
35 -8 1.5 6 Rafael Dolis -1.3 0.0 1.5 ▲ Used in 8th on Wednesday, not good but TOR has little else
36 -7 1.0 6 Alex Colome -0.2 2.0 -1.0 ▼ The .370 BABIP should crawl down to his career .277 mark
37 -2 1.0 6 Devin Williams -2.4 1.5 -0.5 ▼ Looked like himself embarrassing Tatís at least
38 0 1.0 6 Gregory Soto 0.5 1.0 0.0 ▬ Struggled in non-sv situation Thurs; still favorite for DET
39 7 1.0 6 Kendall Graveman 2.4 1.0 0.0 ▬ Looking strong, grip on committee chair for SEA 9th
40 0 1.0 7 Kevin Ginkel 1.0 1.0 0.0 ▬ Won't be shocked if he gets some looks over Crichton soon
41 -4 1.0 7 Corey Knebel 2.4 1.0 0.0 ▬ Looks good but Jansen is still the closer for LAD
42 -1 1.0 7 Jordan Hicks 0.2 1.0 0.0 ▬ Running a 6/6 K/BB ratio over last 4 outings, clean that up
43 -7 1.0 7 Trevor May 1.4 1.0 0.0 ▬ SVHLDers relax, that .500 BABIP will chill; 1.24 FIP, 2.83 SIERA
44 -2 1.0 7 Tanner Scott 1.6 1.0 0.0 ▬ 4 Holds works for some, many won't care with Valdez cruising
45 -1 1.0 7 Mike Mayers -1.9 1.0 0.0 ▬ Crushed by TEX on Wednesday, has otherwise been stout
46 -1 1.0 7 Chad Green 2.4 1.0 0.0 ▬ One of the better insurance policies with Britton out
47 1 1.0 8 Garrett Crochet 1.2 1.0 0.0 ▬ Had 6 Ks in first 3 outings, only 1 in next 4 with worse results
48 2 1.0 8 Taylor Rogers 3.4 1.0 0.0 ▬ Perhaps he gets some SV shots if AC's bad luck continues?
49 7 1.0 8 Emilio Pagan 0.3 1.0 0.0 ▬ Healthy show thus far; SD 'pen just so crowded!
50 15 1.0 8 Sean Doolittle 0.7 0.0 1.0 ▲ Both Garrett & Sims have had their hiccups, Doo we dare?
51 2 1.0 8 Jose Alvarado 1.9 1.0 0.0 ▬ On COVID-19 IL, hopefully doesn't emerge w/ weaker arm
52 11 1.0 8 J.B. Bukauskas 0.0 0.0 1.0 ▲ Had 14/0 K/BB ratio this spring, could vault into closer role
53 -10 1.0 8 Joely Rodriguez 1.6 0.0 1.0 ▲ Keep an eye on his big Ks for eventual Kennedy trade
54 -2 1.0 8 Daniel Hudson -0.2 1.0 0.0 ▬ Just 2 hits allowed through 6 IP, 2 Wins, 2 Holds
55 -4 1.0 8 Jose Cisnero -0.9 1.0 0.0 ▬ Only the truly desperate should speculate on DET saves
56 -9 1.0 8 Adam Ottavino 1.0 1.0 0.0 ▬ Otto has 2.56 FIP and 3.47 xFIP, but this is Barnes' show
57 -3 1.0 8 Dylan Floro 2.1 1.0 0.0 ▬ Coasting in setup role; could be next if Yimi got hurt
58 -26 1.0 9 Andrew Kittredge -0.3 0.0 1.0 ▲ Used in tight spots, has 3 wins already for Tampa
59 -2 1.0 9 Tyler Rogers 0.4 1.0 0.0 ▬ Sharp form behind McGee for SFG
60 -2 1.0 9 Austin Adams 1.0 1.0 0.0 ▬ Some rust, but 41.4% CSW rate is best among RP (min. 5 IP)
61 -1 0.5 9 Josh Staumont 0.7 0.0 0.5 ▲ Even without his usual Ks, he's been KC's most reliable RP
62 0 0.5 9 Keynan Middleton -1.8 0.5 0.0 ▬ Seattle's 9th inning is open to many suitors
63 1 0.5 9 Sean Newcomb 1.3 0.5 0.0 ▬ Was running up hefty K totals before COVID-19 IL
64 -5 0.5 10 Hansel Robles 1.4 1.0 -0.5 ▼ Would be a long road back for him to reach the 9th
65 1 0.5 10 Chris Rodriguez 1.3 0.5 0.0 ▬ K-chasers like him but walks/consistency is an issue
66 2 0.5 10 Jonathan Loaisiga 1.3 0.5 0.0 ▬ Another starter-turned-longman doing well in relief
67 -12 0.5 10 David Bednar -1.1 1.0 -0.5 ▼ Spring phenom not getting enough whiffs anymore
68 1 0.5 10 Craig Stammen 0.1 0.0 0.5 ▲ Roster most anyone from SD 'pen and you'll be happy
69 -8 0.5 10 Wandy Peralta -0.2 0.0 0.5 ▲ Stepped in for 2 saves but not a long-term target
70 0 0.5 10 Kyle Zimmer 0.9 1.0 -0.5 ▼ Part of the late-inning mix for KC, Holland faltering



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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

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Maple Leafs Acquire Dakota Joshua
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Eugenio Suárez

Eugenio Suarez Expected Back Friday
Damian Lillard

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Paul Skenes

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Brooks Barnhizer

Grabs 19 Points, Nine Boards in Summer League Win
Jeremiah Fears

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Isaiah Collier

Collects 17 Points In Summer League Win
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AJ Johnson

Erupts for 25 Points in Summer League Loss
Washington Wizards

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Connor Norby

Undergoes Surgery, Expected to Miss 6-8 Weeks
Trey Alexander

Tallies 25 Points in Losing Effort
Johni Broome

Records Second Consecutive Double-Double
Jahmir Young

Has Historic Summer League Outing
Rob Dillingham

Plays Big Role in Wednesday's Win
Tyrese Proctor

Erupts for 35 Points Against Kings
Cody Williams

Leads Jazz to Victory Against Wizards
LeBron James

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Undergoes a Procedure on Right Finger
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Plays Catch
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Bradley Beal Heading to Los Angeles to Join Clippers After Contract Buyout
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Scores 24 Points in Summer League Win
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Cameron Smith

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Jordan Spieth

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Patrick Reed

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Sungjae Im Wants to Rebound from Last Experience at Royal Portrush
Xander Schauffele

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Tony Finau

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Daniel Brown

Seeks a Rebound at The Open Championship
Rory McIlroy

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Daniel Berger

Trending Poorly as The Open Championship Looms
Clayton Kershaw

Retires Both Batters In ASG Appearance
Robert MacIntyre

Hoping to Bounce Back at Open Championship
Shane Lowry

Hopes to Repeat at Royal Portrush
Brian Harman

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UTA

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Bowen Byram

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Morgan Barron

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Justin Thomas

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Jon Rahm

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Scores First-Round TKO
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Wins Controversial Split Decision
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Steve Garcia

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Morgan Charrière

Morgan Charriere Scores Third-Round Knockout
Austen Lane

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Vitor Petrino

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Earns His First UFC Win
Chase Elliott

Charges to A Finish of Third At Sonoma
Chase Briscoe

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Christopher Bell

Rollercoaster Day Ends With Top-5 Finish at Sonoma
William Byron

Maintains the Regular-Season Points Lead
Kyle Busch

Earns A Hard-Fought Top-10 Finish At Sonoma
Alex Ovechkin

Not Thinking About Retirement
PIT

Penguins Acquire Arturs Silovs
NHL

Nikolai Kovalenko Returns to Russia
Tyler Reddick

Evades Near Upset to Remain Alive in In-Season Challenge
Ty Gibbs

One of Three Tylers to Make In-Season Challenge Semifinals
Kyle Larson

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John H. Nemechek Edges Out Teammate to Make In-Season Challenge Semifinal
Alex Bowman

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Michael McDowell

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Christopher Bell Has Never Finished Better Than Ninth at Sonoma
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Sunday at Sonoma Will Likely Be a Long Race for Bubba Wallace
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RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF