Fantasy Baseball Relief Pitcher Roundup: 6/17

New York Mets
Brooks Raley	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	0 K	2 Whiffs	36% CSW
Austin Warren	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	1 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	35% CSW

Brooks Raley doesn’t throw hard to begin with, but his sinker velocity was up nearly 1 MPH so thats cool I guess.

Cincinnati Reds
Chris Paddack	4.1 IP	2 ER	4 H	1 BB	2 K	2 Whiffs	17% CSW

Kansas City Royals
Matt Strahm	0.1 IP	1 ER	2 H	0 K	1 Whiffs	33% CSW
Lucas Erceg	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	1 K	1 Whiffs	36% CSW
John Schreiber	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 K	0 Whiffs	20% CSW
Alex Lange	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 K	0 Whiffs	21% CSW

No real big takeaways. This bullpen is fragile at the moment, but no one did anything to lose or take a job here.

Washington Nationals
Mitchell Parker	2.0 IP	2 ER	3 H	1 BB	0 K	3 Whiffs	17% CSW
PJ Poulin	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	1 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	17% CSW
Paxton Schultz	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	39% CSW

Blegh

Miami Marlins
Michael Petersen	1.0 IP	0 H	3 K	2 Whiffs	41% CSW
Tyler Zuber	1.0 IP	1 H	1 K	1 Whiffs	33% CSW
John King	1.0 IP	1 H	2 K	4 Whiffs	27% CSW

Michael Petersen has been on a tear lately, and we always knew he had a great fastball, but we’re finally getting some consistency from the slider as well now. The last step would be shoring up the fastball command.

Philadelphia Phillies
Tim Mayza	2.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	3 K	4 Whiffs	35% CSW
Jonathan Bowlan	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	27% CSW
Tanner Banks	1.0 IP	1 ER	3 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	7% CSW
Max Lazar	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	45% CSW
Orion Kerkering	1.0 IP	1 ER	1 H	2 BB	2 K	1 Whiffs	35% CSW
Chase Shugart	0.2 IP	1 ER	2 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	10% CSW
Garrett Stubbs	0.1 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	33% CSW

Jonathan Bowlan’s fastball was down to 95 MPH, and that just stinks because he was finally going to get a chance to pitch meaningful innings with Keller on the IL. Hopefully, it was just a weird game for him, and there are no physical issues here.

San Francisco Giants
Robbie Ray – W (5)	6.1 IP	2 H	2 BB	8 K	13 Whiffs	31% CSW
Dylan Smith	1.0 IP	2 H	1 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	33% CSW
Caleb Kilian	0.2 IP	0 H	0 BB	2 K	3 Whiffs	50% CSW

Caleb Kilian had good command here in this short outing, but I’m still wondering where the stuff from earlier in the year went. He’s not the rollercoaster Zeferjahn is, but the inconsistency is making me want to label him a HIPSTER.

Atlanta Braves
James Karinchak	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 K	1 Whiffs	23% CSW
Dylan Dodd	2.0 IP	2 ER	2 H	1 K	1 Whiffs	26% CSW
Reynaldo López	2.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	1 K	3 Whiffs	27% CSW
Anthony Molina	2.0 IP	2 ER	3 H	0 K	2 Whiffs	27% CSW

Dylan Dodd got five outs before allowing back-to-back home runs on similar pitches (sinker top of the zone) to Devers and Lee. He threw 23/27 sinkers here, so maybe we need to mix in a slider or cutter to those lefties next time?

Detroit Tigers
Kyle Finnegan	1.0 IP	1 ER	3 H	2 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	19% CSW
Drew Sommers	0.1 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	50% CSW
Jacob Waguespack	2.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	1 K	5 Whiffs	45% CSW

Kyle Finnegan, having a 2.08 ERA, still with a 1.59 WHIP and –2% K-BB rate, is honestly impressive. At some point, he’s going to need to rethink that splitter usage. The issue is that the fastball is average (with poor command), and the slider just isn’t that good. Just like that, I have the same concerns with Finnegan now as I had with him entering last season.

Houston Astros
Enyel De Los Santos – HLD (6)	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	23% CSW
Josh Hader – SV (4)	1.0 IP	1 ER	1 H	0 BB	3 K	7 Whiffs	60% CSW

This is Josh Hader’s first time pitching on back-to-back days, and the velocity was down a little bit, but nothing to be concerned about. Hader tried to groove a 92.7 MPH fastball by McGonigle here with his first pitch, but he jumped all over it. He finished the game with a 96.3 MPH heater, so again, nothing to be concerned about.

San Diego Padres
Griffin Canning – W (1)	4.1 IP	1 ER	4 H	3 BB	2 K	7 Whiffs	26% CSW
Kyle Hart – HLD (5)	1.2 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	27% CSW
Jason Adam – HLD (16)	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	8% CSW
Adrian Morejon	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	0 K	2 Whiffs	33% CSW

Jason Adam’s fastball was up here, but it still didn’t result in any whiffs, and he had just one called strike.

St. Louis Cardinals
Matt Svanson	1.1 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	1 K	3 Whiffs	19% CSW
Justin Bruihl	0.1 IP	0 ER	2 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	8% CSW
Chris Roycroft	1.1 IP	3 ER	4 H	2 BB	1 K	3 Whiffs	21% CSW

Meh

Tampa Bay Rays
Casey Legumina	0.1 IP	1 ER	2 H	1 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	11% CSW
Garrett Cleavinger – HLD (10)	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	1 BB	1 K	5 Whiffs	42% CSW
Kevin Kelly – L (3)	1.2 IP	2 ER	3 H	1 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	27% CSW
Cole Sulser	1.1 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	18% CSW

Garrett Cleavinger was throwing harder here, but he’s still leaning on his sweeper and slider (as he probably should) while he figures out his fastball issues. We’re not out of the woods yet here, as Cleavinger still doesn’t look like his 2025 self quite yet.

Los Angeles Dodgers
Edgardo Henriquez – HLD (5)	1.1 IP	1 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	9% CSW
Jack Dreyer – HLD (4)	0.2 IP	0 H	0 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	38% CSW
Alex Vesia – SV (3)	1.0 IP	0 H	3 BB	1 K	5 Whiffs	21% CSW

Everyone was throwing a bit harder here, with Jack Dreyer up nearly 3 MPH, Edgardo Henriquez casually up to 102 MPH, and even Alex Vesia was up nearly 2 MPH. Dreyer at 96+ MPH is unfair given that fastball shape, so if that sticks around, the Dodgers may need to flip him and Vesia in the left-handed pecking order (both have A+ stuff, so it doesn’t really matter). Vesia’s control was obviously an issue here, and it has been all season for him. He’s currently the only qualified reliever to hold a Zone rate below 35% (he’s at 32.9%), which is crazy considering he throws his four-seamer about 55% of the time. In the past, that pitch has held roughly a 50% zone rate, but this year it’s down to 33%.

Los Angeles Angels
Jose Fermin	1.0 IP	0 ER	2 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	40% CSW
Brett Kerry	4.0 IP	2 ER	3 H	1 BB	2 K	5 Whiffs	24% CSW

Brett Kerry has a good changeup, but that’s it. That fastball won’t work.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Taylor Clarke	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	2 K	4 Whiffs	43% CSW
Juan Morillo	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	22% CSW

Taylor Clarke’s velocity was up here, but it doesn’t change his stuff much. He’s a command specialist who needs to be locating well for success.

Toronto Blue Jays
Simeon Woods Richardson – W (1)	3.0 IP	3 H	3 BB	1 K	3 Whiffs	25% CSW
Mason Fluharty – HLD (10)	0.1 IP	1 H	1 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	9% CSW
Spencer Miles – HLD (2)	1.1 IP	1 H	1 BB	1 K	0 Whiffs	27% CSW
Jeff Hoffman – HLD (8)	1.0 IP	1 H	0 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	8% CSW
Tyler Rogers – HLD (16)	1.0 IP	1 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	36% CSW
Louis Varland – SV (14)	1.0 IP	0 H	0 BB	3 K	5 Whiffs	60% CSW

It’s the Red Sox offense, but this was still an impressive bullpen game from the Blue Jays. Louis Varland has been throwing harder against AL East opponents lately and was nearly immaculate here (10 pitches, 3 K’s).

Boston Red Sox
Tyron Guerrero	1.2 IP	0 ER	1 H	3 K	2 Whiffs	39% CSW
Greg Weissert	1.0 IP	1 ER	2 H	1 K	3 Whiffs	35% CSW
Danny Coulombe	1.0 IP	0 ER	2 H	1 K	2 Whiffs	25% CSW

Tyron Guerrero has been a great find for this Red Sox bullpen, and if he stays with the club after the deadline could find himself in leverage situations. There are three solid (or better) pitches here, but he’s also 35 years old already, so what’s left in the tank here? He hasn’t pitched much over the past 6 years, so maybe he’s got a few good years in him.

Chicago White Sox
Sean Newcomb	0.2 IP	3 ER	3 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	14% CSW
Tyler Davis	0.1 IP	2 ER	2 H	0 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	50% CSW
Brandon Eisert	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	2 K	3 Whiffs	31% CSW
Trevor Richards	2.0 IP	1 ER	2 H	2 BB	1 K	5 Whiffs	30% CSW

Sean Newcomb was hit with a line drive here, but it appears he’s just dealing with a bruised tricep as a result. It is his throwing arm that was hit, so this is something to keep an eye on. If he does miss some time, expect a bigger role for Brandon Eisert.

New York Yankees
Paul Blackburn	2.1 IP	1 ER	3 H	1 BB	2 K	2 Whiffs	18% CSW
Brent Headrick	0.2 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	1 K	0 Whiffs	33% CSW
Jake Bird	1.0 IP	1 ER	1 H	0 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	25% CSW

Jake Bird tried to elevate a sinker to Antonacci here, but I’m not so sure Bird’s sinker is good enough to throw there. The stuff in general is sringey right now, even the breakers.

San Francisco Giants
JT Brubaker – HLD (2)	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 K	1 Whiffs	27% CSW
Sam Hentges – HLD (2)	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	1 K	2 Whiffs	31% CSW
Ryan Walker – HLD (3)	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	2 K	3 Whiffs	40% CSW
Matt Gage	0.1 IP	3 ER	4 H	1 K	3 Whiffs	17% CSW
Tristan Beck – SV (1)	0.2 IP	0 ER	0 H	1 K	2 Whiffs	38% CSW

Welcome back Matt Gage. This bullpen remains one of the worst in baseball, so just ignore anyone here outside of Kilian (and maybe Dylan Smith).

Atlanta Braves
Carlos Carrasco	4.0 IP	2 ER	4 H	0 BB	2 K	6 Whiffs	22% CSW

Cleveland Guardians
Daniel Espino	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	2 K	4 Whiffs	58% CSW
Shawn Armstrong	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	2 K	2 Whiffs	38% CSW
Will Dion	1.0 IP	2 ER	4 H	1 K	2 Whiffs	21% CSW

We finally get our first look at Daniel Espino on an MLB mound, and yeah, the hype is real. We just need him to stay healthy now, but he was 100 MPH with good shape/extension, and the breaker should be good enough to play off that elite fastball.

Milwaukee Brewers
Chad Patrick – W (4)	3.1 IP	1 H	1 BB	7 K	9 Whiffs	29% CSW
Aaron Ashby – HLD (3)	1.0 IP	0 H	0 BB	0 K	2 Whiffs	44% CSW
Grant Anderson	1.0 IP	0 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	14% CSW

Chad Patrick was throwing harder here, and that brought his stuff up to about above-average, so despite the dominant line, I’m not sure this is all that interesting (and his role is all over the place).

Colorado Rockies
Zach Agnos	3.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	2 BB	2 K	3 Whiffs	24% CSW
Jimmy Herget	1.0 IP	0 ER	2 H	0 BB	2 K	3 Whiffs	42% CSW

Jimmy Herget is back in the Rockies bullpen. Moving on…

Chicago Cubs
Hoby Milner	1.1 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	0 K	2 Whiffs	20% CSW
Ethan Roberts	0.1 IP	3 ER	2 H	1 BB	0 K	2 Whiffs	20% CSW
Caleb Thielbar – HLD (4)	0.2 IP	0 ER	0 H	1 BB	1 K	3 Whiffs	31% CSW
Jacob Webb – SV (2)	1.0 IP	1 ER	1 H	0 BB	1 K	5 Whiffs	44% CSW

Jacob Webb got the first save chance post Palencia injury, and that shouldn’t be a surprise as he’s been great over the past month+ now. He grooved a 0-0 fastball to Karros here, but that was really his only mistake as he looked great otherwise. It sounds like the Cubs believe Palencia’s injury is relatively minor (no MRI planned), so he could be back before the All-Star break.

Pittsburgh Pirates
Evan Sisk	1.0 IP	1 ER	1 H	1 K	2 Whiffs	23% CSW
Dennis Santana	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	2 K	0 Whiffs	27% CSW
Isaac Mattson	1.0 IP	1 ER	1 H	2 K	4 Whiffs	50% CSW

We’ll take that line from Dennis Santana, but the stuff was down from his past outing (0 Whiffs as a result). Not terrible, and the command has been better at least, but I don’t think he’s all the way back. That being said, he may be one of the top three relievers I’d trust in this bullpen at the moment.

Athletics
José Suarez	2.2 IP	1 ER	3 H	0 BB	2 K	6 Whiffs	26% CSW
Scott Barlow	0.1 IP	4 ER	2 H	0 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	18% CSW
Luis Medina	3.0 IP	1 ER	2 H	2 BB	6 K	10 Whiffs	42% CSW

Scott Barlow’s velocity was down to 88 MPH here, and I don’t think anyone was rostering him anyway (right?).

Baltimore Orioles
Yennier Cano – HLD (5)	0.1 IP	0 ER	0 H	1 BB	0 K	2 Whiffs	44% CSW
Ryan Helsley	1.0 IP	2 ER	2 H	0 BB	2 K	2 Whiffs	44% CSW

Ryan Helsley’s first two pitches went for home runs here as he was rudely greeted in his return from a lengthy IL stint. Outside of the Mariners lefties ambushing his fastball, Helsley looked great, and the stuff seems to be in a good place. The command was an issue prior to the injury, so that’s something to keep an eye on, but he looks healthy, and the fastball’s coming out great.

Seattle Mariners
Alex Hoppe	1.0 IP	1 ER	1 H	1 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	22% CSW
Nick Davila	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	10% CSW
Michael Rucker	1.0 IP	1 ER	1 H	1 BB	3 K	2 Whiffs	30% CSW

Michael Rucker gave up a home run to Holliday here on an 0-0 slider down (not even in the zone, just an impressive swing), but otherwise looked awesome. There could be something here with Rucker, but he’s facing an uphill battle to work his way into high leverage usage.

If you’re looking for potential relievers to stream today, check out RP Streamers

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Fantasy Baseball Relief Pitcher Roundup: 6/17

Rick Graham

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Fantasy Baseball Relief Pitcher Roundup: 6/17

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