Here we will break down some relievers worth looking into for ratio (ERA and WHIP) help. The names on this list should all be relatively low-cost options come draft day for you, and while they won’t contribute a whole lot in the saves category, they should help keep your ratios down and can provide holds for those of you in SV+HLDS leagues. In save-only leagues, you likely won’t need this list unless is late in the week in a head-to-head league maybe, but for those in 16+ team leagues, NL/AL-only, or leagues that value holds, these guys may be worth an add depending on your roster construction. These rankings and player notes are from the Top 100 Relievers for Save+Holds list with the purpose of this article just to be able to quickly reference certain relievers who can contribute to keeping your ratios low.
List
28. Andrew Nardi (MIA) – Nardi broke out this season, finishing the year as the Marlins top setup man. Nardi used a fastball/slider combo to limit hard contact and finished with an impressive .257 xwOBA and 5.28 PLV. Nardi’s slider was amongst the best in the game last year with a 1.94 PLA and he should continue to work in front of closer Tanner Scott this season.
29. Griffin Jax (MIN) – Jax may not have the best swing-and-miss stuff (although his 32.4% CSW ain’t too shabby), but Jax is elite at limiting hard contact and is a PLV darling (5.36). He also returns as the Twins’ top setup option as the team did not add any pitchers this offseason.
34. Erik Swanson (TOR) – One of the most reliable setup men in baseball last year, Swanson finished the season with 29 holds (fourth most in MLB), continued to miss bats at a good clip (16.4% SwStr), and finished the year with an impressive .271 xwOBA. He’ll return to the Jays as the top setup option in front of closer Jordan Romano.
45. Matt Strahm (PHI) – Strahm transitioned to the bullpen early on in the season and impressed the rest of the way. Strahm finished with a 5.34 PLV and 24.8% K-BB% and can be a real asset in holds leagues if he gets enough opportunities.
54. Chris Martin (BOS) – The veteran Martin just continues to be an effective late-inning reliever as his 2.86 pCRA and 2.90 xFIP were both good for Top 15 amongst all relievers last season.
55. Yennier Cano (BAL) – After exploding onto the scene in the first two months of the season, Cano really slowed down as the season went on, having a 3.69 SIERA, 1.35 WHIP, and just an 18.5% K rate over his last 51 innings. The Orioles brought in veteran Craig Kimbrel for the year so Cano, a sinkerball with limited swing-and-miss ability, should be confined to a set-up role.
71. Brusdar Graterol (LAD) – Graterol may not be able to miss bats but his ability to suppress hard contact is what makes him successful. His .312 xwOBAcon, 4.8% DHH, and 2.30 dERA are all near the top of the leaderboard and as long as he’s inducing weak ground balls, he should remain in a high-leverage role for the Dodgers.
93. Shawn Armstrong (TB) – One of the more underrated relievers last year, Armstrong finished in the Top 10 amongst relievers in dERA (1.74) and xwOBA (.253). Procuring only six holds kept him under the radar, but perhaps his role will grow next year.
100. Hoby Milner (MIL) –Milner deserves some love as well as he’s coming off a career year with a 1.72 ERA and 1.22 WHIP. He should return as the Brewers’ top left-handed reliever.
112. Tyler Holton (DET) – Holton doesn’t rack up a ton of K’s from the left side, but he does a great job keeping hitters off balance and limiting hard contact with his six-pitch mix. Low upside, but high floor.
Honorable Mention: Gabe Speier and Ryan Borucki