A.J. Minter returned to the Braves bullpen this past week and should slot right back into a set-up role along with Joe Jiménez. We talked about Dylan Lee last week and how well he had been pitching over the past two months, but Jimenez has also been great, especially over his past 14 IP (31.5% K and 36.6% CSW rates). Minter had been struggling before landing on the IL (10.2% K-BB rate, 4.66 xFIP over 14.1 IP before landing on the IL) but I’d still expect to see him getting more hold chances than Lee, at least for now.
Notes
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Ryan Walker has not allowed an earned run over his last 14 innings pitched and should be strongly considered for an All-Star spot. Over his past 33 IP, Walker holds ridiculous 33.6% K-BB and 36% CSW rates as well as a 1.80 xFIP, all good for top 5 amongst relievers over that span. He’s also starting to see more consistent hold chances, with 12 of his 15 holds coming since May 11.
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Speaking of May 11, Orion Kerkering has been the Phillies’ best reliever since then, with a 31% K-BB rate, 1.73 SIERA, and 124 Stuff+ over 22 IP. The only issue is, he has just six holds on the season, with just four coming during that span. I’d imagine he’ll start seeing more high-leverage work eventually, so hold tight for now as Kerkering can be a top 5 set-up option with consistent chances.
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I mentioned how Jorge Alcala’s velo has been on the rise a few weeks back, and it appears as if it continues to rise even higher as he hit 101.2 mph the other day, a career-high for him and the type of velo we had come to expect from Jhoan Duran. The results since returning to the Twins bullpen have been promising, although maybe not quite as dominant as you’d think given the rise in velocity (17.6% K-BB, 3.36 SIERA over the past 19 IP).
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John Brebbia was one of the best relievers in June and holds an elite 34.5% K-BB rate and 1.67 SIERA over 14.2 IP dating back to the start of June. While it hasn’t resulted in a ton of hold or save chances with the White Sox, he’s certainly pitched well enough to garner significant trade interest and could find a high leverage on a winning club later this month.
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. | Ryan Walker | SF | Fastball/slider combo from funky slot plays up in pen |
| 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. | Michael Kopech | CWS | Closer in Chicago…for now |
| 7. | A.J. Puk | MIA | Velo is back up in the bullpen |
| 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. | Erik Miller | SF | Been opening a lot, but also has 10+ holds |