It’s still very early in the season, so all we can really talk about is reliever usage as well as pitch usage and velocity change until certain stats stabilize. We do have one closer change already as Will Smith is out in Kansas City with James McArthur now likely to see the bulk of the save opportunities there. McArthur hasn’t exactly been lights out to date, but he’s a clear improvement over Smith and actually does lead all closers in swinging-strike rate at 20.6% and CSW at 42.7% (*SMALL SAMPLE SIZE). I think ultimately McArthur can be a little bit more than just a Toby of the closer group, but I don’t think we see him in the top two tiers anytime soon.
Notes
- Jordan Romano has been ramping up his mound work and has been able to throw live batting practice so a rehab assignment shouldn’t be far away now. Erik Swanson has already begun his rehab and could return later this week, with Romano not too far behind at this point.
- Mason Miller may not have a save yet this season (I mean it’s only April 9th), but his usage is pretty clear at this point that he will be closing out the bulk of opportunities the A’s get. The stuff has been electric so far (152 Stuff+ is the highest amongst closers with his 20.2 swinging-strike rate is the second highest) and you should be excited to have him on your roster at this point. Just stay patient.
- As great as the stuff is with Abner Uribe, there will certainly be some growing pains as he continues to be the Brewers closer. That’s ok, as we’ve seen already, every closer is a liabilty time to time, so don’t be too discouraged from Uribe’s last outing. He seems entrenched in the closer role for now and unless Trevor Megill comes back and takes over the role, Uribe should be a fairly safe closer option with some upside.
- Jason Foley continues to be near unhittable but we also were reminded that AJ Hinch doesn’t want to commit to a full-time closer with his stable of bullpen options. Foley hasn’t seen a save in nine days but again, it’s not worth panicking over as Foley should get a good deal of the save chances, plus he will be a great ratio stabilizer and perhaps can even keep the strikeout rate above average as well.
- Two legendary closers in Craig Kimbrel and Kenley Jansen have both gotten off to relatively solid starts this season, but I’m still concerned over their steep drop in velocity. Kimbrel is down to 93 MPH on his fastball and while there’s been a slight uptick in iVB, I’m just not sure how long he can be successful at that velocity. Jansen is down to 91.7 MPH and is battling back problems so again, I just don’t know how long he will last with those issues.
- José Leclerc has allowed 6 earned runs so far this season and I’d have to think he’s on the hot seat with Texas. but he did get his first save of the season in his last outing. I’d still be quick to roster David Robertson if I also have Leclerc on my team, as this change at the closer spot could happen sooner rather than later.
- Kevin Ginkel still doesn’t have a save, but he’s still the best option in that bullpen despite some extra-inning struggles in his recent games. I think he’s still worth holding in most leagues at least until Paul Sewald returns, but the odds of him keeping the closer role all season certainly haven’t improved.
- Griffin Jax clearly won’t see every save chance the Twins have before Jhoan Duran returns, but he is still worth rostering in most leagues for the next month or so and with Jax, you likely won’t see your ratios blown up.
And if you want more daily reliever updates, please check out our Reliever Ranks series
Watch List
| Rank | Pitcher | Team | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Hunter Harvey | WAS | Finnegan already has one blown save |
| 2. | Chris Martin | BOS | Not sure Jansen can stay healthy |
| 3. | David Robertson | TEX | Leclerc has to be on the hot seat |
| 4. | Trevor Megill | MIL | Best stuff in this bullpen IMO |
| 5. | Brock Stewart | MIN | will get a few saves before Duran return |
| 6. | Yennier Cano | BAL | Kimbrel’s velo is way down |
| 7. | Ian Hamilton | NYY | Feels like the best closer option there |
| 8. | Ryne Stanek (Matt Brash eventually) | SEA | Munoz wont see every save chance |
| 9. | Alex Lange | DET | Not entirely counting him out yet… |
| 10. | Fernando Cruz | CIN | best stuff in that bullpen maybe? |
| Rank | Pitcher | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Edwin DíazT1 | - |
| 2 | Emmanuel ClaseT2 | +1 |
| 3 | Pete Fairbanks | -1 |
| 4 | Ryan Helsley | - |
| 5 | Josh Hader | - |
| 6 | Evan PhillipsT3 | - |
| 7 | Raisel Iglesias | - |
| 8 | Camilo Doval | - |
| 9 | Andrés Muñoz | - |
| 10 | Tanner ScottT4 | - |
| 11 | Jordan Romano | +UR |
| 12 | David Bednar | -1 |
| 13 | Clay Holmes | - |
| 14 | José Alvarado | - |
| 15 | Robert SuarezT5 | - |
| 16 | Alexis Díaz | - |
| 17 | Adbert Alzolay | - |
| 18 | Mason Miller | +2 |
| 19 | Abner Uribe | +4 |
| 20 | Jason Foley | +2 |
| 21 | Craig KimbrelT6 | -9 |
| 22 | Kenley Jansen | -3 |
| 23 | José Leclerc | -5 |
| 24 | Michael Kopech | +1 |
| 25 | James McArthur | +UR |
| 26 | Kevin Ginkel | -5 |
| 27 | Griffin Jax | -3 |
| 28 | Kyle FinneganT7 | -2 |
| 29 | Carlos Estévez | -2 |
| 30 | Justin Lawrence | - |