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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.
Editor's Note: Our incredible team of writers received five total writing awards and 13 award nominations by the Fantasy Sports Writers Association, tops in the industry! Congrats to all the award winners and nominees including Best MLB Series, NFL Series, NBA Writer, PGA Writer and Player Notes writer of the year. Be sure to follow their analysis, rankings and advice all year long, and win big with RotoBaller! Read More!
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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