We have a few lefties charging up the board this week, all names we have seen in the top 50 or so on this list in the past due to their strikeout upside. I talked about Anthony Banda last week when covering the Dodgers bullpen, and how Banda appears to have moved past Alex Vesia in the pecking order. Since the All-Star break Banda holds 28.2% K-BB rate, 22.3% SwStr and 37.2% CSW rates as well as a 2.26 xFIP over 18 innings.
Dylan Lee gets forgotten about in Atlantas bullpen but he’s now the top lefty with A.J. Minter out and dating back to mid-June, Lee has been outstanding. Over his past 22 IP, Lee holds 33% K and 20.3% SwStr rates, as well as a 1.23 ERA (1.95 SIERA) and 0.82 WHIP. Lee only has 2 holds over the past 2 weeks but that’s still 2 more holds than Aaron Bummer has on the season.
Garrett Cleavinger has much better stuff (120 Stuff+ since the break) than Colin Poche (83 Stuff+) and has really out pitched him since the All-Star break, just allowing his first earned run since the break on Tuesday. Cleavinger has 3 SV+HLD’s over the past week and hopefully we see that trend continue.
Andrew Chafin has a 36.8% K and 18.1% SwStr rate going back to the All-Star break, as well as a 3.00 SIERA, although walks have been an issue (13.2% BB rate). Chafin remains the Rangers top left handed reliever, and has 2 holds over the past week.
Notes
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There were plenty of relievers lost to the IL this past week, but we also gained some prominent set up men as well. Camilo Doval is back with the Giants and working in high leverage spots in front of Ryan Walker. Ryan Pressly is expected to return from the IL today and should slot right back in to a 7th/8th inning set up role. Dedniel Núñez returned late last week and should see some high leverage work as the Mets best reliever outside of Edwin Díaz. Justin Slaten is likely forced right back into a setup role with both of the Red Sox trade deadline additions, Lucas Sims and Luis Garcia, now on the IL. (UPDATE: Núñez is back on the IL with a forearm injury…).
- Since the Rays traded Jason Adam, Manuel Rodríguez has really flourished in with 5 SV+HLDS, 2 Wins, a 23% K rate, and 2.87 SIERA over 11.2 IP. At this point, he doesn’t have quite the same upside as Edwin Uceta or Drew Rasmussen, but the stuff is there for him to take another leap in the bat missing department, and it’s certainly encouraging seeing the Rays trust him with save chances lately.
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A lefty with limited strikeout upside but despite that has been flustering hitters going back to late June would be Tigers Tyler Holton, who has allowed just 1 earned run over his past 23.2 IP. Over that span he’s only managed a 21.2% K rate, but whatever, we will take the 0.38 ERA (3.33 SIERA), 0.72 WHIP and 10 SV+HLD’s.
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Jorge Alcala has not been as dominant since the All-Star break, with just 17.7% K and 6.7% SwStr rates as well as a 4.85 xFIP over his past 14 IP. The stuff is still there and opportunity should be as well with Brock Stewart and Justin Topa out, but perhaps this rough patch can open up more chances for someone like Cole Sands.
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. | Drew Rasmussen | TB | Velo is way up out of the pen |
| 9. | Tyler Holton | DET | One “start” away from SP eligibility |
| 10. | Calvin Faucher | MIA | Might be Miami’s closer now? |