We lost a few reliever to the IL this week but we also gained two prominent 2024 breakouts in Bryan Hudson, and Reed Garrett who both returned from the IL. Hudson returns to a Brewers bullpen that is just Trevor Megill away from being at full strength, but I’d still expect to see Hudson get plenty of holds chances (Megill as well). Garrett struck out hte side in order in his first game back, looking like his early season self and he too should slot right back into a high leverage role as the Mets bullpen tries to nail down their late inning bridge to Edwin Diaz.
Notes
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Jeremiah Estrada has been a little more volatile since the Padres acquired Jason Adam and Tanner Scott, with a 7.71 ERA and 2.29 WHIP over his past 7 IP and while he’s still racking up strikeouts (17 over those 7 IP) the lack of holds and quality ratios push him down the list this week. He also has a 1.97 xFIP over this span, so there’s definitely bad luck involved but the walk rate (15.4%) needs to be better to earn more hold chances.
- Aroldis Chapman has been pitching great, pretty much since the start of June where he holds a 26% K-BB rate, 1.03 WHIP and 2.63 SIERA. The big difference here is that walk rate being at 10.6%, which while still high, it’s a number Chapman can live with given the swing and miss ability. He’s certainly the teams top setup option at the moment and could be closing out games full time soon with how poorly David Bednar has pitched.
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I think James McArthur is much better than his ERA, WHIP and K rate say, and perhaps we may get another great end of season run from him starting with his previous two outings where he struck out 4 batters and allowed just one baserunner. It’s a bit baffling how he has just an 18% K rate while having a 31.5% CSW and 5.32 PLV.
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I’m afraid the Rays have done it again, this time creating an elite reliever in Edwin Uceta. Now it’s only been 16 games and 26.1 IP but Uceta has posted phenomenal numbers across the board, with a 29.5% K-BB, 32.1% CSW and 2.30 SIERA. He only has 3 holds on the season, but two came earlier this month, so his high leverage usage appears to be on the rise.
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. | A.J. Puk | AZ | Velo is back up in the bullpen |
| 4. | Michael Kopech | CWS | Closer in Chicago… for now |
| 5. | Hunter Gaddis | CLE | Been impressive in a bullpen role |
| 6. | Matt Strahm | PHI | One of the best middle-relief fantasy options |
| 7. | Luke Weaver | NYY | Top setup option in New York now? |
| 8. | Tyler Holton | DET | One “start” away from SP eligibility |
| 9. | Calvin Faucher | MIA | Might be Miami’s closer now? |
| 10. | Drew Rasmussen | TB | Velo is way up out of the pen |
