The Yankees bullpen is finally seeing some reinforcement in Tommy Kahnle and Ian Hamilton both pitching well since their recent returns from the IL, and while I still see them adding a reliever or two at the deadline, these two and Luke Weaver are likely to hold things down until then. Weaver has been the most consistent (by default really) but I can see the appeal in chasing the upside of Kahnle (diminished velo but he has a slider now) or even Hamilton who has been getting a ton of Whiffs despite middling results.
Notes
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Ryne Stanek has had some hiccups along the way but for the most part has put together a respectable season so far, and has been really good as of late. He still has a plus fastball at 98.5 MPH with 18.3 iVB and can get whiffs with his secondaries, so he should be a steady holds source.
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Shelby Miller returned from the IL this week and already has a hold to his credit. With Jason Foley having an up and down May, there’s an outside shot at Miller seeing some more save chances as we move forward.
- Justin Martinez is now up to 21.2 IP on the season and the only thing to complain about here is the high walk rate at 14.8%. That being said, if we look at his numbers from May on, he has a 22.2% K-BB rate (11.1% BB rate) which will certainly play. The closer that walk rate gets to 10%, the more he moves up the ranks.
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Elvis Peguero has a 1.54 WHIP for the season, but has been much better lately and it looks like he’s established himself as the top right handed setup option behind Trevor Megill. I don’t particular love either Peguero or Joel Payamps, but they will continue to be in the holds mix at at least until Devin Williams returns.
- John Schreiber has struggled since the start of May with a 2.06 WHIP, 5.8% K-BB rate (just a 4.6% SwStr rate) and 4.42 xFIP. He’s still likely to see hold chances given the lack of alternative options in that bullpen, but expect the Royals to add some relievers at the deadline.
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Jorge Alcala is back in the Twins bullpen and it may be for good this time, at least as long as he continues throwing this well. He’s seen an uptick in velo, averaging 99 MPH on his fastball and touching 100 MPH in his last two games. We’ll see how his role plays out but he’s definitely a name to keep an eye on.
If you would like more daily reliever updates, please check out our Reliever Ranks series.
SP Eligible Relievers
| 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. | Ryan Walker | SF | Fastball/slider combo from funky slot plays up in pen |
| 5. | Hunter Gaddis | CLE | Been impressive in a bullpen role |
| 6. | Luke Weaver | NYY | Top setup option in New York now? |
| 7. | Michael Grove | LAD | now in the bullpen seeing hold chances |
| 8. | Calvin Faucher | MIA | Stuff is playing up out of the pen |
| 9. | John Brebbia | CWS | Back in the White Sox pen after IL stint |
| 10. | Shawn Armstrong | TB | 1.38 ERA, 0.90 WHIP in 54 IP last year |
