Kevin Ginkel and A.J. Puk have somewhat quietly turned things around over the past couple of months, with each one being in a great position to help fantasy managers in the second half. Over their past 21 IP, each has five holds, while Ginkel has a strong 26.9% K-BB rate and a 2.26 SIERA. Puk has been great himself with a 25.6% K-BB rate and a 2.45 SIERA (plus a 31% CSW and 123 Stuff+).
Both have closing experience and could be called upon to close out games in the coming weeks as well. Puk almost certainly will with Tanner Scott all but guaranteed to be moved. For Ginkel, it would mean Paul Sewald gets moved, which I’d say is about a 50/50 chance at this point given where the Diamondbacks are in the standings. Not only are Puk and Ginkel trending up in holds leagues, but they are also worth looking at in save-only leagues.
Notes
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Jeremiah Estrada has still been one of the best relievers in all of baseball since the start of May, with his 37.3% K-BB and 1.52 SIERA leading all relievers over that span. After a bit of a rough patch in mid-June he is back on a heater, not allowing a run over his past 7.2 IP and more importantly, walking no one over that time. He still has just eight holds on the season, but two of those came over the past week so hopefully we see more in the second half from him.
- Gregory Santos made his debut with the Mariners this past week and did not disappoint, as the young righty sat at 100.3 mph with his sinker. Assuming he’s healthy, Santos should work his way into a high-leverage role rather quickly and may very well be the better season-long option over Ryne Stanek.
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After a rough stretch from May through June, Jacob Webb has pitched much better to begin the month of July, allowing just one hit and striking out five. He also has five holds over the past two weeks, as he and Cionel Pérez have become the secondary setup options in the Orioles bullpen. It may not last as the Orioles will almost definitely add at least one reliever at the deadline, maybe two, but for the next couple of weeks the two can be useful in holds leagues.
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Even with the return of Mark Leiter Jr. as well as the impending returns of Julian Merryweather and Adbert Alzolay, Porter Hodge should be on your radar in deeper holds leagues, especially dynasty formats. His stuff isn’t overpowering and I don’t love the fastball (shape or velo) enough to rank him much higher, but the sweeper is at least legit and should be able to somewhat mask his fastball’s flaws.
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. Dominant stuff |
| 2. | Matt Strahm | PHI | One of the best middle-relief fantasy options |
| 3. | Ryan Walker | SF | Fastball/slider combo from funky slot plays up in pen |
| 4. | Hunter Gaddis | CLE | Been impressive in a bullpen role |
| 5. | Luke Weaver | NYY | Top setup option in New York now? |
| 6. | A.J. Puk | MIA | Velo is back up in the bullpen |
| 7. | Michael Kopech | CWS | Closer in Chicago… for now |
| 8. | John Brebbia | CWS | High leverage role for now, could be traded |
| 9. | Randy Rodríguez | SF | Electric stuff, but role isn’t quite clear |
| 10. | Porter Hodge | CHC | Might be the Cubs best RP currently |
What the hell happened to JoJo Romero with holds opportunities! Did I miss a memo on him? Did he get caught sleeping with the pitching coach wife?
Starts the year on high note, a beast, but nothing much lately, one hold in last two weeks!…….. Should I drop him? Replace with a hot up and comer for second half? Your top picks if so…….
Thanks for all the great work and info too,
Bill Cantrell
please give a reply to my email address if can on your thoughts for replacements, etc……..