Jordan Hicks, Scott McGough, Josh Sborz and Steven Wilson each had three SV+HLD’s this past week to lead all relievers. Not one of the four allowed a run this past week while each reliever tallied at least three strikeouts as well. Hicks is the biggest riser of the bunch as he has come in to take over the closer role for the Cardinals, but I talked about him earlier in the week so let’s bring up McGough again. He now has four saves over the past eleven days and has been one of the best relievers in baseball over his last 23 innings pitched (36.5% K, 0.61 WHIP, 2.51 xFIP).
Notes
- Chris Martin has been excellent for the Red Sox this season with a 1.99 ERA and 0.88 WHIP over 22.2 innings, so why is he moving down the list? He’s not moving down the list exactly as others are just moving up this week, but there is the fact that Martin’s upside is capped due to his low strikeout rate (23%). He has a high floor and is one of the safest holds options to roster, he just doesn’t have difference-making ability.
- Miguel Castro has been falling down the depth chart in Arizona lately, and with how well McGough, Andrew Chafin, and Austin Adams have pitched recently, Castro may fall out of favor for high-leverage work. For the month of June, Castro has a 9.00 ERA (xFUP) and 1.83 WHIP while walking four batters to just three strikeouts over six innings.
- Michael Fulmer has been pitching better over his last 10 innings, with a 33.3% K rate and 0.80 WHIP while not allowing a run. There’s competition now at the top of the Cubs bullpen depth chart but Fulmer should get a chance to work his way back into some high-leverage opportunities this summer.
- José Soriano was perhaps the most unheralded of the Angels bullpen call-ups in recent months, but he has more than held his own at the MLB level and makes for a very interesting reliever to target in deeper/dynasty leagues. Soriano is a classic two-pitch reliever with a power fastball that sits in the upper 90’s and a big swing-and-miss curveball. While everyone is excited about Ben Joyce potentially being the Angels’ future closer, Soriano may actually be the name to monitor here.
And if you want more daily reliever updates, please check out our Reliever Ranks series.
Injured List
| PITCHER | TIER | INJURY (SURGERY DATE). NOTES |
|---|---|---|
| Liam Hendriks | 3/4 | Elbow. Said to be similar to last year’s injury and confirmed no structural damage. Could be back after the All-Star break. |
| Ryan Helsley | 3/4 | Forearm. There’s minimal concern for anything serious here, but he will be shut down for a week or so. |
| Daniel Hudson | 4/5 | Knee. Moving rehab to AAA and is expected to return to the Dodgers bullpen by the end of the month |
| John Schreiber | 5/6 | Lat. Has resumed throwing, but is still not near a rehab assignment quite yet. |
| Jonathan Loáisiga | 6/7 | Elbow. Nothing new here as he won’t be back until August at the earliest. |
| Robert Suarez | 6/7 | Elbow. Throwing bullpens now, and could begin a rehab assignment in a few weeks. |
| Matt Moore | 6/7 | Oblique. Playing catch right now, but has yet to progress to bullpens. |
| Colin Holderman | 6/7 | Wrist. Wrist inflammation will keep Holderman out for at least 15 days. No word on severity yet. |
| Matt Bush | 7/8 | Shoulder. Has been on a rehab assignment and could return in short order. |
| Caleb Thielbar | 7/8 | Oblique. Going back to the IL with the same injury he just returned from |
| Brandon Hughes | 7/8 | Knee. Going back to the IL with the same injury he just returned from |
| Ben Joyce | 7/8 | Elbow. No structural damage is a good thing, but still with no timetable to return. |
hey Rick –
What is it about Alzolay that you value over guys locking up Holds? I get that he is a Statcast darling and the ‘closer’ for ChC, but there are a few lower ranked guys here such as Tyler Rogers (not Taylor which you have higher,) and H Neris which are ranking higher in our league (SVHD.)