So I knew Lucas Erceg had some upside, but I never imagined he was going to start the season off as he has, part of an electric late-inning duo with Mason Miller. He is by no means on Miller’s level (not sure if anyone really is at this point) but Erceg is looking like someone we can start to trust in holds leagues, for now at least. I don’t love the command, or lack thereof, with his fastball and neither of his secondaries are noteworthy (maybe the slider could be but he trusts it the least). There’s a lot of red in his profile worth getting excited about (5.40 PLV and 34% K, 34.4% CSW, 2.1% MTK rates) but I’d just proceed with caution as it wouldn’t be surprising to see things unravel rather quickly here if the command doesn’t improve.
Notes
-
David Roberston has been locked in as the Rangers’ top setup man, with sparkling ratios and a 35.5% CSW and the highest Stuff plus in that Rangers bullpen (120). He’s been throwing his knuckle curve more often this season, dropping his slider usage (which has been knocked around) while also utilizing the changeup more against lefties than in years past. He’s 39 and not overpowering but his top two offerings (cutter/curve) are still great, and his ability to mix in three other pitches as well (slider, change, sinker) helps him keep hitters off balance.
-
There’s definitely an argument to be made that Andrew Kittredge has been the Cardinals second best reliever this season (I still like JoJo Romero a bit better) but it’s great seeing Kittredge return to his 2021 All-Star self. He’s throwing his slider 53.7% of the time, the most he’s used it since 2018 and it’s producing a career-high 45.8% Whiff rate. For the season, Kittredge has a ridiculous 44.2% Chase rate which will inevitably dip some over time and likely cause some negative regression, but I still see a fairly high floor for him, so I wouldn’t be too concerned about how this holds up.
-
Aroldis Chapman is still striking out batters at a high clip (37.5% K rate) but that’s about it. He currently holds a brutal 25% walk rate and has allowed six earned runs (eight total runs) over his past five IP, walking nine hitters over that span. This is more or less what to expect from Chapman, high highs and low lows, making him a classic Cherry Bomb amongst relievers.
-
Steven Okert has been fine this season, even getting a few save chances but now with this bullpen getting healthy, I think we see fewer hold chances for him. Fellow lefty Caleb Thielbar who manager Rocco Baldelli has a ton of trust in picked up three SV+HLD’s over the past week and while the stuff isn’t as good as Okert’s, Thielbar’s presence will certainly impact Okert. Both are fine, options in deeper leagues, but if Okert can get some more hold chances, his upside is higher.
-
Andrew Nardi has been one of the most disappointing relievers to begin the season (this entire Marlins
bullpenpitching staffroster has to be honest) with an 8.25 ERA and 2.00 WHIP. He’s striking hitters out still (28.8% K rate) and his BABIP is certainly unfair (.500) but he’s having trouble with having consistent command (56% F-Strike, 39% Zone rates). The stuff is still there (5.38 PLV, 110 Stuff+) but we need to see some more consistency here to go along with better luck (which will come eventually) before buying back in. -
Keeping up with the left-handed reliever theme (also named Andrew) Andrew Chafin is looking like his old self again after whatever happened last year happened. Chafin holds a 0.79 WHIP to go with 30.2% K and 18.3% SwStr rates. Not only is he getting swings and misses but he also holds a great 23.1% HardHit rate, which is important because he also holds a 23.1% GB rate. As long as that slider is getting chases though, Chafin should be reliable in fantasy leagues.
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. | Shawn Armstrong | TB | 1.38 ERA, 0.90 WHIP in 54 IP last year. |
| 6. | Ryan Walker | SF | Fastball/slider combo from funky slot plays up in pen. |
| 7. | Caleb Ferguson | NYY | Slow start, but still needed in that pen |
| 8. | Calvin Faucher | MIA | Working his way into a setup role |
| 9. | John Brebbia | CWS | Back in the White Sox pen after IL stint |
| 10. | Luke Weaver | NYY | Stuff is playing up out of the pen |
What am I missing on Megill? I know he missed some time with a concussion. K-rate isn’t anything special so far this year. Had a 1.36 WHIP last year. I know there’s a reason he’s been at the top of this list all year – what is it?