Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Relief Pitchers

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Rivera was nearly perfect last year and has started this year in like fashion. His ERA might look a bit high, but he has only walked three batters and only blown one save. He only allowed 11 runs all of last year and has allowed 10 so far this year, but he is still a must-start elite fantasy closer.

15. Huston Street, Colorado Rockies – 1 W, 1 L, 13 SV, 1 BSV, 32 K, 8 BB, 3.00 ERA, 1.11 WHIP

After a shaky start where he lost his closer’s role and then gained it back, Street has been much better. He has only allowed two runs in his last 17 innings and has 11 saves since May 4th, including five this past week. Keep him active while he’s hot.

16. Brian Wilson, San Francisco Giants – 2 W, 3 L, 17 SV, 3 BSV, 33 K, 13 BB, 3.34 ERA, 1.31 WHIP

Wilson had a surprising 41 saves for the Giants last year and has started this year on a pretty good note. He has 17 saves in 20 chances, but has a 3.34 ERA, which is pretty high for a closer. If you have him, go ahead and keep him active, as he has been hot recently, not allowing a run since May 21st.

17. Mike Gonzalez, Atlanta Braves – 2 W, 0 L, 8 SV, 3 BSV, 35 K, 13 BB, 2.60 ERA, 1.30 WHIP

Here’s the other part of the Atlanta two-closer system. Gonzalez has been less effective than Atlanta had hoped, but he has still been pretty good. He is still the primary closer, but will lose save opportunities to Soriano. Keep him active, but watch out for how many times Cox goes to Soriano instead.

18. Chris Sampson, Houston Astros – 3 W, 0 L, 3 SV, 1 BSV, 20 K, 13 BB, 2.37 ERA, 1.24 WHIP

Sampson has been a big surprise this year. He saved three games while Jose Valverde was on the DL and has a 2.37 ERA in 38 innings. He isn’t an elite option but could come in handy for some wins.

19. Nick Masset, Cincinnati Reds – 4 W, 0 L, 0 SV, 1 BSV, 23 K, 9 BB, 0.74 ERA, 0.70 WHIP

Masset isn’t really a fantasy option since he isn’t a closer, but he has been a reliable middle relief option that picks up the occasional win. He has a very good ERA and has only walked nine batters. If you need a relief pitcher, you could grab him and expect maybe a few saves and a few wins, but nothing spectacular.

20. Scott Downs, Toronto Blue Jays – 0 W, 0 L, 8 SV, 1 BSV, 27 K, 4 BB, 2.05 ERA, 0.91 WHIP

Downs has been exceptional since taking the closer’s job from B.J. Ryan. He has saved eight of nine games and an ERA of 2.05. Keep him active while he is riding this hot streak.

21. Chad Qualls, Arizona Diamondbacks – 1 W, 0 L, 13 SV, 3 BSV, 25 K, 4 BB, 4.01 ERA, 1.34 WHIP

Qualls has done an admirable job this year, but it's nothing spectacular. He is the primary closer in Arizona, so go ahead and keep him active if you need the saves, but watch out for the occasional blown save.

22. Bobby Jenks, Chicago White Sox – 1 W, 2 L, 13 SV, 2 BSV, 18 K, 5 BB, 3.86 ERA, 1.24 WHIP

Here’s a guy who has not lived up to expectation. Jenks only has 13 saves in 15 chances and an ERA over three. He has not been the dominant closer that people were expecting when they drafted him. However, he is still the primary closer in Chicago and if you have him, go ahead and start him and he will get you 30 saves.

23. George Sherrill, Baltimore Orioles – 0 W, 1 L, 12 SV, 2 BSV, 22 K, 8 BB, 2.66 ERA, 1.23 WHIP

Sherrill hasn’t been all that bad this year, but he plays for a bad team. Baltimore doesn’t win enough games for Sherrill to be a relevant fantasy closer, but if you have him, go ahead and use him for the occasional save.

24. Brian Fuentes, LA Angels of Anaheim – 0 W, 2 L, 16 SV, 3 BSV, 22 K, 8 BB, 4.71 ERA, 1.48 WHIP

BUST! Fuentes has been nothing short of a bust so far this year, blowing three saves and holding an ERA over four. He should turn it around and be kept active due to the strong team and plethora of save opportunities to come.

25. Jason Frasor, Toronto Blue Jays – 4 W, 0 L, 1 SV, 1 BSV, 18 K, 3 BB, 1.96 ERA, 0.74 WHIP

Frasor has been very good this year for a middle relief pitcher. He has four wins and has only blown one save plus an ERA under two. He isn’t a fantasy option, but he could be a viable option.

There are my rankings for the Relief Pitcher position after the first two months. Any arguments or questions, feel free to email me at Derek@Sportmeisters.com.

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