Fantasy Baseball Reliever Roundup

Detroit Tigers
Kyle Finnegan	1.2 IP	1 ER	2 H	0 BB	4 K	4 Whiffs	39% CSW
Will Vest – BS (1)	0.2 IP	2 ER	2 H	1 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	32% CSW
Brant Hurter	0.1 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	1 K	0 Whiffs	18% CSW
Drew Anderson – HLD (2)	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	2 K	2 Whiffs	36% CSW
Kenley Jansen – L (1)	0.2 IP	2 ER	2 H	0 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	36% CSW

Drew Anderson as a one-inning reliever may be something, as his velocity was up 2.5 MPH here, and both his changeup and curveball graded out as plus offerings. If this velo sticks, he becomes an interesting holds league option.
Kenley Jansen even had his better cutter velo in this one (up 2 MPH), but his “sinker” however, was still lagging as Nathaniel Lowe took a 93 MPH sinker deep to right center to walk this one off. I’m not too concerned about Jansen despite back-to-back sketchy outings.

Cincinnati Reds
Kyle Nicolas	1.0 IP	0 ER	2 H	3 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	19% CSW
Pierce Johnson	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	33% CSW
Brock Burke	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	30% CSW
Tony Santillan – BS (1)	1.0 IP	3 ER	3 H	0 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	11% CSW
Graham Ashcraft – W (1)	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	1 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	12% CSW

Maybe the reduced velo is catching up to Tony Santillan, as he allowed two home runs on the pitch in this one, and they weren’t even terribly located pitches. He had a hard time commanding his curveball, and it’s apparent he needs to be able to throw it for strikes and get ahead of hitters, or the fastball will be vulnerable.

Boston Red Sox
Jovani Morán	2.2 IP	1 ER	3 H	1 BB	1 K	5 Whiffs	28% CSW
Ryan Watson	2.0 IP	1 ER	4 H	0 BB	2 K	4 Whiffs	26% CSW

Baltimore Orioles
Yennier Cano	0.1 IP	0 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	33% CSW
Andrew Kittredge	1.0 IP	0 H	0 BB	0 K	3 Whiffs	31% CSW
Cameron Foster	2.0 IP	3 H	1 BB	1 K	4 Whiffs	33% CSW

Andrew Kittredge made his season debut and looked…OK. The Orioles can slow-play him back into any sort of leverage role, given how great the rest of this bullpen has looked, so I think it’s safe to say he’s not someone who needs to be rostered in holds leagues at the moment as well.

Cleveland Guardians
Hunter Gaddis – HLD (2)	1.0 IP	0 H	0 K	1 Whiffs	25% CSW
Erik Sabrowski – HLD (10)	1.0 IP	0 H	1 K	1 Whiffs	23% CSW
Cade Smith – SV (6)	1.0 IP	2 H	0 K	2 Whiffs	25% CSW

Cade Smith allowing 2 hits and getting 0 K’s is not what we are looking for, but he escaped with no runs allowed and a save, so fine (Okamoto’s single was inches from being a HR). Something still feels off here with Smith, maybe just a feel thing, but hopefully he figures it out and can string together some clean outings here soon.

Toronto Blue Jays
Joe Mantiply	1.2 IP	0 ER	2 H	0 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	37% CSW
Spencer Miles	2.0 IP	1 ER	2 H	0 BB	2 K	0 Whiffs	29% CSW
Tommy Nance	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	3 K	3 Whiffs	46% CSW
Mason Fluharty	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	2 K	3 Whiffs	46% CSW
Braydon Fisher	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	1 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	21% CSW

The Blue Jays are “allegedly” transitioning to a closer-by-committee moving forward (it’ll be Louis Varland more often than not), and outside of Varland, the two names to keep an eye on are Mason Fluharty and Braydon Fisher. Varland is a big velo guy, while Fisher is a breaking ball specialist, and Fluharty is the crafty lefty type. It’s a pretty mixed trio of options for Schneider to play matchups at the end of games.

Colorado Rockies
Jaden Hill – HLD (5)	0.1 IP	2 ER	4 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	0% CSW
Antonio Senzatela – SV (2)	1.2 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	1 K	3 Whiffs	30% CSW

OK, maybe Antonio Senzatela is kind of a little bit interesting with his increased velocity, but I still don’t want to chase it. After he is traded at the deadline, maybe he’ll be an option for holds leagues.

New York Mets
Sean Manaea	3.1 IP	2 ER	3 H	1 BB	7 K	9 Whiffs	34% CSW

7 K’s from Sean Manaea is pretty cool. The velo was up to 90 MPH as well, so he’s trending in the right direction.

Minnesota Twins
Anthony Banda	0.2 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	14% CSW
Eric Orze	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	2 K	1 Whiffs	50% CSW

Eric Orze is going to have outings like this that give us (or at least me) false hope because I doubt we see any semblance of consistency. Splitter guys are hard to trust.

Tampa Bay Rays
Cole Sulser – HLD (2)	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	6% CSW
Trevor Martin	1.0 IP	1 ER	3 H	1 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	38% CSW
Bryan Baker – SV (5)	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	1 K	3 Whiffs	28% CSW

Bryan Baker is still just 31% rostered in Yahoo leagues (9% in ESPN), and I don’t know what else needs to happen for that number to grow. He’s the Rays closer more often than not, he has three plus pitches, and currently has no threat to his job.

Philadelphia Phillies
Kyle Backhus	1.0 IP	0 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	14% CSW
Chase Shugart	0.1 IP	0 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	0% CSW
Tim Mayza	1.0 IP	1 H	1 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	19% CSW

I’m trying to buy in on Tim Mayza, maybe being something in holds leagues, but I don’t know. The sinker/slider is fine, just not something I want to chase.

Atlanta Braves
Aaron Bummer – HLD (4)	1.0 IP	1 H	0 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	14% CSW
Joel Payamps – HLD (2)	1.0 IP	1 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	5% CSW
Robert Suarez – SV (3)	1.0 IP	1 H	1 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	18% CSW

Robert Suarez did not have his best stuff or command, but he was still able to work around a hit and a walk to shut the door on the Phillies. Hopefully, he’s back to his normal self next time out.

Los Angeles Angels
Shaun Anderson	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	1 BB	2 K	3 Whiffs	30% CSW
Ryan Zeferjahn	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	2 K	4 Whiffs	46% CSW
Drew Pomeranz	1.0 IP	1 ER	2 H	1 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	20% CSW

Ugh, another disappointing outing from Drew Pomeranz, and his velo was down 1.5 MPH here. It does not look like he’s going to take advantage of this bullpen being fairly wide open.

Kansas City Royals
Nick Mears – HLD (3)	0.1 IP	2 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	21% CSW
Daniel Lynch IV – HLD (3)	0.1 IP	0 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	60% CSW
Matt Strahm – HLD (7)	1.0 IP	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	25% CSW
Lucas Erceg – SV (6)	1.0 IP	1 BB	2 K	2 Whiffs	33% CSW

Two K’s from Lucas Erceg here is a nice surprise, but we will certainly take it. The stuff is still blah, but he’s been making it work the last couple times out, and outside of Daniel Lynch IV, it’s hard to argue that anyone else in this bullpen is more deserving to close out games.

Washington Nationals
Miles Mikolas	3.2 IP	2 ER	4 H	0 BB	1 K	3 Whiffs	24% CSW
Richard Lovelady – HLD (1)	0.2 IP	0 ER	1 H	1 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	10% CSW
Riley Cornelio – L (1)	2.0 IP	2 ER	2 H	4 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	21% CSW

Riley Cornelio made his debut here (and will be sent back down today), and I see why there’s some hype around him with two potential plus pitches in his fastball and slider. The command was a mess, and I believe the Nationals are still looking at him as a potential starter, but I could definitely see this arsenal working as a short-stint reliever.

Chicago White Sox
Erick Fedde	5.2 IP	1 ER	3 H	4 BB	1 K	5 Whiffs	22% CSW
Sean Newcomb	0.1 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	75% CSW
Jordan Leasure – W (2)	1.0 IP	1 ER	1 H	0 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	21% CSW
Seranthony Domínguez – SV (6)	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	2 K	2 Whiffs	39% CSW

This was maybe the best Seranthony Domínguez has looked this year, as there was some semblance of fastball command and the splitter got a pair of whiffs. Progress.

Pittsburgh Pirates
Mason Montgomery	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	33% CSW
Isaac Mattson	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	1 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	29% CSW

This was the first time Mason Montgomery didn’t have an A+ stuff grade (it was an A), as the fastball wasn’t at its peak…but the command was good, and he also used this opportunity to mix in two changeups, which graded out well. He now potentially has four pitches that grade out at 120+.

Milwaukee Brewers
Shane Drohan	4.0 IP	1 ER	4 H	1 BB	2 K	9 Whiffs	23% CSW

I like Shane Drohan, he probably could be a fine 4th/5th starter right now. That Brewers rotation is just going to be tough to crack when everyone is healthy.

Athletics
Hogan Harris	0.2 IP	2 H	2 K	4 Whiffs	44% CSW
Justin Sterner	0.2 IP	0 H	0 K	1 Whiffs	22% CSW
Luis Medina	1.0 IP	0 H	0 K	1 Whiffs	17% CSW

Good to see Hogan Harris generate four whiffs here, as his stuff has been better than the swing and miss numbers have suggested to this point. The K and SwStr rates should continue to rise.

Texas Rangers
Cal Quantrill	3.0 IP	2 ER	3 H	0 BB	2 K	6 Whiffs	27% CSW

New York Yankees
Fernando Cruz	1.0 IP	2 ER	3 H	0 BB	3 K	5 Whiffs	45% CSW
Ryan Yarbrough	2.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	1 BB	2 K	4 Whiffs	27% CSW

Fernando Cruz gave up two homers in this one, one on a spliter he hung to Shewmake and one on a 3-1 fastball that Diaz was sitting on. Mixed in that chaos was a single to Vazquez…oh, and he also struck out the side (not in order, obviously), and that is kind of how it goes at times with Cruz. The heavy splitter usage relievers are almost always going to bring chaos.

Houston Astros
Colton Gordon	2.0 IP	5 ER	7 H	2 BB	0 K	3 Whiffs	19% CSW
Jayden Murray	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	15% CSW
Bryan Abreu	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	1 K	0 Whiffs	14% CSW

You can not tell me that Bryan Abreu is healthy right now. This stinks because he was one of the best (maybe the best) non-closer relievers in baseball over the past few years, and it’s sad to see where he’s at right now, especially in a contract year (which may be why he’s trying to push through whatever is wrong with him).

Seattle Mariners
Matt Brash – HLD (4)	1.0 IP	0 H	0 K	1 Whiffs	31% CSW
Gabe Speier – HLD (4)	0.1 IP	2 H	1 K	3 Whiffs	55% CSW
Eduard Bazardo – HLD (3)	0.2 IP	0 H	0 K	1 Whiffs	50% CSW
Andrés Muñoz – SV (4)	1.0 IP	1 H	2 K	2 Whiffs	50% CSW

Andrés Muñoz still seems to be trying to find his best slider (Gorman hit one 112 MPH for an out here), but he managed to get through this one unscathed. We’ll take it for now, but please find that slider soon.

St. Louis Cardinals
Justin Bruihl	1.0 IP	2 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	30% CSW
George Soriano	0.2 IP	0 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	27% CSW
Gordon Graceffo	2.0 IP	0 BB	2 K	2 Whiffs	26% CSW

Gordon Graceffo is really bad, but the curve and slider are so good that it may just cancel it out. The two whiffs here came on the fastball as hitters are likely overcommitting on the breakers.

Chicago Cubs
Ryan Rolison – W (1)	3.0 IP	0 ER	2 H	0 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	17% CSW
Corbin Martin – SV (1)	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	1 K	5 Whiffs	43% CSW

Is Corbin Martin the new interim closer for the Cubs? He might be; they are down to their fifth option after all. His curveball is really good, and despite a mediocre (at best) fastball, the curveball might be good enough to keep him afloat for a while or at least until Daniel Palencia returns (or Phil Maton).

Los Angeles Dodgers
Alex Vesia	0.2 IP	2 ER	2 H	1 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	25% CSW
Blake Treinen – BS (2)	1.0 IP	1 ER	3 H	0 BB	2 K	2 Whiffs	41% CSW
Tanner Scott – L (1)	0.2 IP	2 ER	2 H	0 BB	0 K	2 Whiffs	18% CSW
Edgardo Henriquez	0.1 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	0% CSW

The three names mentioned to replace Edwin Díaz all wound up struggling in this one. Alex Vesia did not have his best command, Blake Treinen is just meh now, and Tanner Scott got burned by the long ball again as he left a fastball over the plate to Swanson here. Scott was pitching on back-to-back days (third game in four days) and didn’t have his best stuff. He should still be the favorite for saves more often than not.

Miami Marlins
Lake Bachar	2.0 IP	1 ER	2 H	0 BB	1 K	6 Whiffs	32% CSW
John King	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	1 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	43% CSW

Lake Bachar gave up a HR to Lee (not a terrible pitch), but otherwise he was a whiff machine as he has been most of the season. The stuffs awesome, we just need more consistent command from him.

San Francisco Giants
JT Brubaker	3.0 IP	1 ER	3 H	1 BB	3 K	7 Whiffs	22% CSW
Caleb Kilian	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	1 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	22% CSW
Ryan Borucki	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	1 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	17% CSW

Caleb Kilian actually had one of his better command days here despite the walk. Just waiting on consistency with him.

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Fantasy Baseball Relief Pitcher Roundup: 4/24

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Fantasy Baseball Relief Pitcher Roundup: 4/24

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