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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 6.
Join me for the first May edition of my 2021 Relief Pitcher Baller Ranks, which provides a weekly peek at my top 70 relievers moving forward. This is geared towards traditional 5x5 roto leagues with some mentions for hold candidates and ratio anchors.
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 more.
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 and are good through May 4.
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Top 70 Relief Pitchers for Fantasy Baseball
| Rank | (+/-) | $ | Tier | Player | EV | PV | Trend | Notes |
| 1 | 0 | $15.0 | 1 | Josh Hader | $5.0 | $15.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Still the King, comfortably crushing batters |
| 2 | 1 | $15.0 | 1 | Aroldis Chapman | $6.4 | $13.5 | 1.5 ▲ | Best strikeout rate; scoreless season. Easy case for #1 |
| 3 | -1 | $13.5 | 1 | Liam Hendriks | -$0.4 | $13.5 | 0.0 ▬ | It hasn't been cozy, but he's clearly still extremely good |
| 4 | 0 | $13.0 | 2 | Craig Kimbrel | $3.1 | $13.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Allowed his first ER of 2021 on May 4, don't waver |
| 5 | 0 | $11.5 | 2 | Raisel Iglesias | -$1.2 | $12.0 | -0.5 ▼ | Raisel this high up says more about RPs in general |
| 6 | 0 | $11.0 | 2 | Edwin Diaz | $2.7 | $11.5 | -0.5 ▼ | Díaz says his back feels much better, hope just 1 off night |
| 7 | 0 | $10.0 | 2 | Kenley Jansen | $0.0 | $10.0 | 0.0 ▬ | No SV since 4/24 is flukey; 3 BB, 1 K in 3 IP since is "hmm" |
| 8 | 0 | $10.0 | 2 | Matt Barnes | $7.1 | $9.5 | 0.5 ▲ | 2020's struggles are well behind him, whiffs galore |
| 9 | 0 | $8.5 | 3 | Ryan Pressly | $2.9 | $8.0 | 0.5 ▲ | Strong CSW, solid control; everything's fine here |
| 10 | 0 | $8.0 | 3 | Brad Hand | $0.8 | $7.5 | 0.5 ▲ | The single-digit IP tally sticks out but he's doing his job |
| 11 | 0 | $8.0 | 3 | Mark Melancon | $6.1 | $7.0 | 1.0 ▲ | Looks mighty comfy as SD's lockdown closer |
| 12 | 1 | $7.5 | 3 | Richard Rodriguez | $4.0 | $6.0 | 1.5 ▲ | If he were on a good team then the spotlight would be on |
| 13 | 1 | $6.0 | 4 | William Smith | $3.1 | $6.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Chris Martin set to return, how long until a committee? |
| 14 | 2 | $5.0 | 4 | Hector Neris | $2.4 | $5.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Needed 40 pitches for SV on 5/3, he's still their man |
| 15 | 5 | $4.5 | 4 | Emmanuel Clase | $3.5 | $3.0 | 1.5 ▲ | May not get every SV opp but zero ER deserves love |
| 16 | 1 | $4.5 | 4 | Cesar Valdez | $5.2 | $4.5 | 0.0 ▬ | You can be hesitant but April alone has made him ++EV |
| 17 | 6 | $4.5 | 4 | Ian Kennedy | $2.5 | $2.5 | 2.0 ▲ | Zero walks so far, he looks outstanding |
| 18 | -3 | $4.0 | 5 | Jake McGee | $0.4 | $5.5 | -1.5 ▼ | 1 Coors implosion and suddenly Kapler is wavering? Rude |
| 19 | -1 | $4.0 | 5 | Yimi Garcia | -$2.0 | $4.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Career 1.68 HR/9 will rear its head sometimes |
| 20 | -1 | $3.5 | 5 | Taylor Rogers | $1.1 | $3.5 | 0.0 ▬ | MIN 9th might be cursed, yielded a run in 2 straight |
| 21 | 0 | $3.5 | 5 | Alex Reyes | $1.6 | $2.5 | 1.0 ▲ | Hate the walks but hitters have yet to make him or STL pay |
| 22 | 0 | $3.5 | 5 | James Karinchak | $5.5 | $2.5 | 1.0 ▲ | I know this isn't exactly what you wanted but those K's <3 |
| 23 | 15 | $3.0 | 5 | Kendall Graveman | $4.2 | $1.0 | 2.0 ▲ | He is SEA's best RP but they'll use him in 8th if needed |
| 24 | 0 | $2.5 | 5 | Lou Trivino | $0.9 | $2.5 | 0.0 ▬ | The 1A closer in OAK but don't get greedy |
| 25 | 2 | $2.0 | 5 | Lucas Sims | -$0.7 | $2.0 | 0.0 ▬ | If MIN 9th is cursed then CIN 9th is the apocalypse |
| 26 | 2 | $2.0 | 5 | Gregory Soto | $0.9 | $2.0 | 0.0 ▬ | DET won't generate tons of chances, Soto's the guy |
| 27 | 2 | $2.0 | 5 | Jake Diekman | $3.8 | $2.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Don't let him go, the southpaw SVs will trickle in |
| 28 | 0 | $2.0 | 5 | Pete Fairbanks | $0.0 | $0.0 | 2.0 ▲ | TB may not quickly go to him in 9th but no Castillo tracks |
| 29 | 2 | $2.0 | 5 | Josh Staumont | $2.3 | $2.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Ate damage in non-SV opp, still the favorite |
| 30 | 0 | $2.0 | 5 | Giovanny Gallegos | $3.5 | $2.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Fantastic non-closing RP worth rostering in 5x5 |
| 31 | 1 | $1.5 | 5 | Rafael Dolis | -$0.2 | $1.5 | 0.0 ▬ | May soon share 9th with Romano, can't let go though |
| 32 | 3 | $1.5 | 5 | Stefan Crichton | $2.6 | $1.5 | 0.0 ▬ | Not eye-popping but has done enough, few threats |
| 33 | -7 | $1.5 | 6 | Daniel Bard | -$1.0 | $2.0 | -0.5 ▼ | 30-pitch, 2-BB SV on 5/5, walking the tightrope |
| 34 | -1 | $1.5 | 6 | Tejay Antone | $0.5 | $1.5 | 0.0 ▬ | Looked mortal on 5/2, came back w/ 2 scoreless IP on 5/5 |
| 35 | -10 | $1.5 | 6 | Rafael Montero | -$0.2 | $2.0 | -0.5 ▼ | Another week of Graveman working tougher hitters |
| 36 | -2 | $1.5 | 6 | Drew Pomeranz | $2.0 | $1.5 | 0.0 ▬ | Another solid RP anchor for ratios, Ks, despite no SVs |
| 37 | 0 | $1.0 | 6 | Devin Williams | -$2.9 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Still hasn't recaptured 2020's brilliance, ceiling remains |
| 38 | 0 | $1.0 | 6 | Michael Kopech | $6.9 | $0.0 | 1.0 ▲ | Back to the 'pen, but you start him no matter what role |
| 39 | 1 | $1.0 | 6 | Mike Mayers | -$0.2 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Brief IL stint done, solid setup man in LAA |
| 40 | 1 | $1.0 | 6 | Chad Green | $4.1 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Another prime FrankenAce candidate |
| 41 | 1 | $1.0 | 6 | Garrett Whitlock | $3.1 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Ditto |
| 42 | 10 | $1.0 | 6 | Austin Adams | $1.9 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Last 7 gms: 6.1 IP, 0 H, 2 BB, 14 K - 5x5 FrankenAce candidate |
| 43 | 7 | $1.0 | 6 | Tyler Rogers | $1.6 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Kapler says Rogers could see more SV opps, look out |
| 44 | 4 | $1.0 | 6 | J.P. Feyereisen | $3.5 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | 15 scoreless IP, struck out the side on 5/4. HLD stud |
| 45 | -6 | $1.0 | 7 | Mychal Givens | -$0.8 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Showing improved control, golden compared to Bard |
| 46 | -3 | $1.0 | 7 | Sean Doolittle | $1.9 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | May fall into some LHP SVs if opponents align for it |
| 47 | -11 | $1.0 | 7 | Greg Holland | -$3.2 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | 5 consecutive clean apps, but hard to hold w/ Staumont |
| 48 | -4 | $1.0 | 7 | Jose Alvarado | $1.5 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | 2-gm suspension over, back to 100-mph southpaw-ing |
| 49 | -3 | $1.0 | 7 | Joely Rodriguez | $2.5 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Oft-forgotten setup man w/ healthy command |
| 50 | 5 | $1.0 | 7 | Trevor May | $3.4 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Would step into 9th if Díaz's back tightness acts up |
| 51 | 0 | $1.0 | 7 | Dylan Floro | $4.0 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Has been steady while Bass can't quite string it together |
| 52 | 5 | $1.0 | 7 | Jordan Romano | $0.5 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Control looks to be back, will they give him some 9th? |
| 53 | 0 | $0.5 | 7 | Andrew Kittredge | $0.3 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | Could see SV opps w/ no Castillo & Fairbanks just back |
| 54 | -1 | $1.0 | 8 | Jonathan Loaisiga | $3.2 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | High-leverage use yields handful of W & SV opps |
| 55 | 1 | $1.0 | 8 | Daniel Hudson | -$0.8 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | The No. 2 in Washington behind Hand |
| 56 | -9 | $1.0 | 8 | Victor Gonzalez | $1.0 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Hasn't looked as sharp since return from 2nd shot |
| 57 | 1 | $1.0 | 8 | Tyler Duffey | -$0.9 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Doesn't look 100% but Rogers scuffling may open door |
| 58 | 1 | $1.0 | 8 | Tanner Scott | -$0.3 | $1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Few are bought in on Valdez, so Scott must hold value |
| 59 | 8 | $0.5 | 8 | Jorge Alcala | -$0.6 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | 2.72 SIERA and electric 16.8% SwStr rate, eventual closer? |
| 60 | 0 | $0.5 | 9 | Jeurys Familia | $1.1 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | Came in to clean up Díaz's shaky SV opp |
| 61 | -16 | $0.5 | 9 | J.B. Bukauskas | $1.3 | $1.0 | -0.5 ▼ | Plenty of time for Buka to earn the 9th, patience |
| 62 | 0 | $0.5 | 9 | Yusmeiro Petit | $3.4 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | Source of elite ratios over the years still humming |
| 63 | 0 | $0.5 | 9 | Sam Coonrod | $2.3 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | Healthy 17/2 K/BB ratio, 2 SVs in past week |
| 64 | -15 | $0.5 | 10 | Emilio Pagan | -$1.3 | $1.0 | -0.5 ▼ | Not worth most 5x5 leaguers attention with Mel cruising |
| 65 | -1 | $0.5 | 10 | A.J. Minter | $3.6 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | Likely slides down the hierarchy soon w/ Martin back |
| 66 | -1 | $0.5 | 10 | Hansel Robles | $0.8 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | Solid HLD option, Duffey/Alcala would likely leap Robles |
| 67 | -1 | $0.5 | 10 | Chris Rodriguez | $1.5 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | 3.1 shutout frames and the W on 4/28, stretching out |
| 68 | 0 | $0.5 | 10 | Craig Stammen | $0.7 | $0.5 | 0.0 ▬ | Comes out for multi-inning apps if you target those |
| 69 | 0 | $0.5 | 10 | Paul Fry | $5.0 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | Multiple strikeouts in 5 of his last 6, crafty lefty |
| 70 | 0 | $0.5 | 10 | Darwinzon Hernandez | -$0.5 | $0.0 | 0.5 ▲ | Four straight scoreless appearances; 8 K in 3.1 IP there |
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