Craig Kimbrel was arguably the biggest All-Star snub this past weekend as the veteran closer has a 2.10 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, 23 saves, and 52 strikeouts on the year. Over his past 21 innings, Kimbrel holds a 34.2% strikeout-minus-walk rate and 1.76 SIERA. Even with the shaky April, Kimbrel still ranks top three amongst closers in strikeout rate, strikeout-minus-walk rate, SIERA, and saves for the entire season. There was a point in early May where it seemed like the Orioles would be in the market for a closer at the deadline, but they will just be looking to add another setup option and middle relief help now.
Notes
- Raisel Iglesias continues his rise in the ranks and it really just comes down to consistency with him over guys like Muñoz and Miller. Iglesias has allowed just 3 earned runs over his past 18.1 innings and that also comes with a 26.1% strikeout-minus-walk rate and 36.1% CSW (top amongst closers over this period). As long as the velo he’s seen recently remains (it did drop a little in his most previous outing), there should be no concerns about rostering Iglesias.
- Andrés Muñoz on the other hand has really struggled since the beginning of June and has now gone five straight games without a strikeout. Since June, he has held just a 4.4% strikeout-minus-walk rate and 4.44 SIERA and it’s clear that the back injury he’s been dealing with is effecting his stuff.
- Mason Miller also appears to be running out of gas just a little bit now as his velo has declined since the start of the season. Miller has still been pitching well, but he just hasn’t been the dominant guy we saw from April through mid-May. Over his past 17.1 innings, he holds a 23.2% strikeout-minus-walk rate and 2.92 SIERA, which both are very good, but not elite enough to put him in the top tier when he is only able to produce six saves since the beginning of May.
- Alexis Díaz is still struggling but it appears it won’t lead to him losing his role as the sole closer for the Reds so as long as he is healthy, he’s at least a top-25 closer by default, at least through the trade deadline. He’s been better over his past 7 innings, not allowing any earned runs, but it still only comes with 19.2% strikeout-minus-walk and 10.6% swinging-strike rates along with a 3.48 xFIP.
- Michael Kopech’s days as the White Sox closer may be getting close to an end, as hopefully, we will see him traded to a team that can help him figure things out in the bullpen. There’s a lot to like here still, but he will need to improve his fastball command and find a secondary offering he trusts to throw more than 9% of the time.
- Héctor Neris has actually looked quite dominant over his past five outings, with a 38.9% strikeout-minus-walk rate and 1.56 SIERA. Now it is only 4.1 innings and comes with just an 8.4% swinging-strike rate but it’s great timing for the Cubs who will want to trade him this month. Keep an eye on Julian Merryweather potentially closing out games over the final two months of the season.
And if you want more daily reliever updates, please check out our Reliever Ranks series
Watch List
| Rank | Pitcher | Team | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Jeff Hoffman | PHI | likely 2nd in line for saves in committee |
| 2. | Fernando Cruz | CIN | Sims may be next, but Cruz has upside |
| 3. | Griffin Jax | MIN | Duran may not see every save chance |
| 4. | A.J. Puk | MIA | Scott is guaranteed to be traded |
| 5. | Julian Merryweather | CHC | Neris may be traded, best option if healthy |
| 6. | Kevin Ginkel | ARZ | If Sewald ends up on the move… |
| 7. | Josh Sborz | TEX | chance Yates, Robertson, and Leclerc move |
| 8. | Justin Slaten | BOS | Jansen and Martin could be moved |
| 9. | Ben Joyce | LAA | closer of the future, may begin this year |
| 10. | Robert Garcia | WAS | Nats could move most of this bullpen |
| Rank | Pitcher | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emmanuel ClaseT1 | - |
| 2 | Josh Hader | - |
| 3 | Edwin Díaz | - |
| 4 | Raisel IglesiasT2 | +2 |
| 5 | Craig Kimbrel | +3 |
| 6 | Andrés Muñoz | -2 |
| 7 | Mason Miller | -2 |
| 8 | Trevor Megill | +4 |
| 9 | Ryan HelsleyT3 | -2 |
| 10 | Evan Phillips | +1 |
| 11 | Pete Fairbanks | -2 |
| 12 | Jhoan Duran | -2 |
| 13 | Tanner Scott | - |
| 14 | Kyle FinneganT4 | - |
| 15 | Robert Suarez | - |
| 16 | Clay Holmes | - |
| 17 | Camilo Doval | - |
| 18 | Kirby Yates | - |
| 19 | Paul SewaldT5 | - |
| 20 | Kenley Jansen | +1 |
| 21 | José Alvarado | -1 |
| 22 | Carlos Estévez | - |
| 23 | Alexis Díaz | +2 |
| 24 | James McArthurT6 | - |
| 25 | Michael Kopech | -2 |
| 26 | Jason Foley | - |
| 27 | Héctor Neris | +2 |
| 28 | Chad Green | -1 |
| 29 | Aroldis Chapman | -1 |
| 30 | Jalen Beeks | - |
Alexis Diaz has given up 1 run in his last 9 outings (or 9 innings) with 6 saves but you said he is struggling. Hope all my closers struggle like that. lol
If only we were only looking at his last 9 outings. He’s greatly underperformed all year. On the year he has a 4.31 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP. And the Ks have disappeared. Not much has looked good about him this year.
These rankings have are going foward or if the draft was tommorow. So all that matters is recent performances and or rest of season outlook. Unless I’m very wrong and confused. So I stand by my original reply.