Luke Weaver has emerged as the top setup option for the Yankees which is not a sentence I thought I’d be writing in mid-May. I’m a bit skeptical that this lasts all season, but for now, Weaver is worth a look. He has a 28% K rate and a 14.7% SwStr rate to go along with a 0.62 WHIP. Since transitioning to the bullpen, we haven’t seen a big uptick in velo from Weaver, but he has changed his pitch mix around, throwing his cutter 18% more and basically scrapping his curve. The cutter/changeup combo has helped against lefties and, with how Victor González and Caleb Ferguson have been pitching, Weaver looks like their best option to get left-handed hitters out late in games. Tommy Kahnle is working his way back and could be on the list a week from now, but as things stand now, I’d imagine Ian Hamilton is more at risk of losing a high-leverage role than Weaver.
Notes
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If I had just waited one more week before moving Bryan Abreu down… To be fair, it had looked like Abreu was turning a corner a few weeks back before looking shaky again, so we may not be out of the woods completely yet. That being said, Abreu has allowed just three hits, a walk, and a run over 5.1 IP in May while striking out nine batters, which is pretty much what we’ve come to expect from Abreu in his career. Dating back even longer, Abreu has a 44.2% K rate, 0.92 WHIP, and 1.62 SIERA over his past 13 innings of work. That certainly looks like the Bryan Abreu we know.
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A.J. Puk is back in the Marlins bullpen again, and he has already picked up a save in extra innings. He should slot right in as Tanner Scott’s setup man (before Scott is traded at least) and should be considered the favorite for saves from August onward. It’s worth keeping in mind that Puk’s velo hasn’t exactly ticked back up to where he was last year (95.8 mph) since moving back to the pen. In his last outing he was sitting at 94 mph, so this is something to monitor.
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Jordan Leasure broke out this past week with four SV+HLDs, and it also looks like he is starting to miss some more bats recently. Over his past 5.1 IP, Leasure has a 26.3% K rate and a 16.5% SwStr rate. Small sample, I know, but at least we see the White Sox’s commitment to using him in high-leverage spots.
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We’re running out of patience with Aroldis Chapman as every time it looks like he may be turning the corner he goes out and allows three hits and two walks while only getting two outs. The ultimate Cherry Bomb reliever, roster Chapman at your own risk until he starts showing any sort of consistency.
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Emilio Pagán has looked better as of late (0 hits, 2 BB, 8 K over his past 3.2 IP), and with Alexis Díaz potentially on his way out as Reds closer and Fernando Cruz struggling recently, could Pagan work his way into the role? Despite the 4.67 ERA and 1.44 WHIP, Pagan does hold a 31.6% K rate and a 17.1% SwStr rate along with a 2.76 SIERA. Pagan may not be overpowering, and he lacks a true offspeed offering, but his four-seamer has great shape.
- Kevin Kelly may not be able to get swings and misses but he’s only walking 1.4% of batters and is getting tons of called strikes (25.8% CStr rate is tops amongst relievers) so something is working for him right now. Things could change if hitters start being more aggressive here, but for now, Kelly has earned some more high-leverage chances.
If you would like more daily reliever updates, please check out our Reliever Ranks series.
| Rank | Pitcher | Team | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Mason Miller | OAK | Closer in Oakland |
| 2. | Michael Kopech | CWS | Closer in Chicago for now |
| 3. | Matt Strahm | PHI | One of the best middle-relief fantasy options |
| 4. | Hunter Gaddis | CLE | Been impressive in a bullpen role |
| 5. | Luke Weaver | NYY | Top setup option in New York now? |
| 6. | Ryan Walker | SF | Fastball/slider combo from funky slot plays up in pen |
| 7. | John Brebbia | CWS | Back in the White Sox pen after IL stint |
| 8. | Calvin Faucher | MIA | Stuff is playing up out of the pen |
| 9. | Caleb Ferguson | NYY | Slow start, but still needed in that pen |
| 10. | Shawn Armstrong | TB | 1.38 ERA, 0.90 WHIP in 54 IP last year |
