After getting off to a slow start and battling knee issues, I had almost given up on Ryan Pressly as a legitimate RP1 option with declining velocity and a declining strikeout rate. Well, the velocity is back up to near 95 MPH on average over his last eight appearances, and since his implosion at Yankee Stadium back on June 23rd (his only truly bat outing this year), Pressly has rattled off five straight outings now without allowing a baserunner (while striking out nine). It’s a small sample size but it looks like 2021 Ryan Pressly is making a comeback, so here’s to hoping he can keep this going and stay healthy for the remainder of the season.

 

Notes

 

• After throwing a bullpen yesterday, Kenley Jansen appears ready to return from the IL at some point this week (and as early as today). Jansen’s return will slide A.J. Minter and Will Smith back into setup roles, although Minter is probably worth holding onto in save-only leagues for the time being, at least until Jansen is officially cleared to return.
• Two NL West closers dipped this week (actually three if you count Craig Kimbrel) with Camilo Doval and Taylor Rogers moving down four spots. Doval has just one save over the past three-plus weeks while allowing six runs over 6.1 IP during that span. Rogers’ struggles have been more apparent, allowing 13 hits and seven runs over his last 5.2 IP, but I don’t think he’s in danger of losing his role quite yet whereas do we know what Doval’s role is?

 

• Corey Knebel may be inching his way back into the closer role in Philadelphia, as the reliever picked up the team’s last save and has been particularly dominant as of late. Over his past 6.2 IP Knebel has allowed just one hit and two walks while striking out seven. I’d still hang on to Seranthony Domínguez for now (and Brad Hand in deeper leagues) as we see how things play out leading up to the All-Star break.
• Joe Barlow was somewhat surprisingly removed from the Rangers’ closer role over the past week, and it looks like Brett Martin will get the first crack at replacing him for the time being. The way Chris Woodward talked about the situation makes it sound like Barlow will be out just temporarily as they try to reduce stressful innings for him, but Martin has done a fine job so far, picking up two saves and has not allowed a run since May (10.2 IP).

EDIT: 7/13- removed Tanner Rainey who will miss the remainder of the season and added Kyle Finnegan as his replacement.

 

Rank	Pitcher	Team	Change
1	Josh HaderT1	HOU	-
2	Edwin Díaz	LAD	-
3	Liam Hendriks		-
4	Raisel Iglesias T2	ATL	-
5	Emmanuel Clase	CLE	-
6	Clay Holmes	NYM	-
7	Ryan Pressly T3		+1
8	Jordan Romano		+1
9	David Bednar	NYY	+3
10	Ryan Helsley	BAL	+1
11	Taylor Rogers	MIN	-4
12	Paul Sewald	ARI	+1
13	Kenley Jansen	DET	+UR
14	Camilo Doval T4	NYY	-4
15	Craig Kimbrel	NYM	-1
16	David Robertson		-1
17	Jorge López		+2
18	Daniel Bard	SEA	-1
19	Gregory Soto	PIT	-1
20	Scott Barlow		-
21	Tanner Scott	LAD	+2
22	Tanner Houck	BOS	-
23	Jhoan Duran T5	PHI	+1
24	Lou Trivino	BAL	+3
25	Corey Knebel		+UR
26	Brett Martin		+UR
27	Kyle Finnegan	DET	+UR
28	Colin Poche	DET	-
29	Hunter Strickland	LAA	+1
30	Mark Melancon		-1

 

 

Photo by Leslie Plaza Johnson/Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)