A.J. Puk doesn’t have a hold since August 25, but he’s been arguably the best reliever in baseball dating back to mid-June, and since June 23 he holds a 0.26 ERA and 0.50 WHIP (second best behind Raisel Iglesias). Over those 34 IP, Puk holds a 40% K-BB rate, 1.83 xFIP, and 1.31 SIERA, all best amongst relievers over that span. His 19.7% SwStr and 35.7% CSW rates still rank in the top 5. So even despite the lack of holds lately, it’s really hard to move him off the top spot with how dominant he has been out of the bullpen.
Notes
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Tony Santillan has impressively been able to keep this run as a strikeout machine reliever going and is clearly the best arm in the Reds bullpen at the moment. Since the All-Star break, Santillan holds a 42% K rate (fourth best amongst relievers) and 1.94 xFIP (fifth best), while his 2.45 ERA and 0.82 WHIP certainly aren’t wrecking anyone’s ratios.
- Aaron Bummer may only have one hold on the season, but he has still been impressive for the Braves, especially over the second half. Since the All-Star break, Bummer holds a 1.50 xFIP (best amongst relievers) and a 1.72 SIERA (fourth best) while carrying 29.3% K-BB and 34.1% CSW rates (both top 15). Now if we could just get some better BABIP luck and sprinkle in some more holds please.
- Michel Otanez ranks second amongst qualified relievers in CSW (37.4%) since the All-Star break, definitely not a name you’d expect to see here. That number is backed up by a 20% SwStr rate (seventh best) and 2.31 SIERA (19th) despite holding a 3.24 ERA and 1.32 WHIP in the second half. The stuff is legit (98 mph FB and a slider with a 55% Whiff rate), and if he could just shore up his command a bit, he could be a top holds option.
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Angel Chivilli ranks SECOND amongst relievers post All-Star break with a 23% SwStr rate behind only Josh Hader, and there definitely seems like there could be some sustainability to this as it comes with 29.6% ZContact – OSwing (also second behind Hader) and 35.7% CSW rates (top 10). That being said, it’s even more surprising to see him hold just a 21.6% K rate with this swing-and-miss ability. Stuff+ and PLV are also not big fans either. I’m still intrigued by the bat-missing ability so he’s worth keeping an eye on, even while pitching half his games in Colorado.
If you would like more daily reliever updates, please check out our Reliever Ranks series.
SP Eligible Relievers
| Rank | Pitcher | Team | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Ryan Walker | SF | Fastball/slider combo from funky slot plays up in the ‘pen |
| 2. | A.J. Puk | AZ | Closer in Oakland. Dominant stuff |
| 3. | Mason Miller | OAK | Velo is back up in the bullpen |
| 4. | Michael Kopech | LAD | Closer for the Dodgers… for now |
| 5. | Luke Weaver | NYY | Top setup option in New York now? |
| 6. | Hunter Gaddis | CLE | Been impressive in a bullpen role |
| 7. | Matt Strahm | PHI | One of the best middle-relief fantasy options |
| 8. | Tyler Holton | DET | Recently gained SP eligibility |
| 9. | Drew Rasmussen | TB | Velo is way up out of the pen |
| 10. | DL Hall | MIL | Back in the bullpen where he thrives |