MLB Midseason Position Power Rankings: B/R's Top 30 Relief Pitchers
There's not a more fickle group in baseball than relief pitchers.
That's why the few truly reliable bullpen arms—guys like Kenley Jansen, Craig Kimbrel and Andrew Miller—have come at such a steep price on the free-agent and trade markets in recent years.
It should come as no surprise that this updated version of the league's top 30 relievers looks considerably different from the preseason version, which can be found here.
In order to trim the field of candidates, pitchers required at least 30 innings pitched and an ERA below 4.00 to be eligible for inclusion.
For inquiring minds, that meant no Aroldis Chapman (23.2 IP) and Zach Britton (15.0 IP).
From there, the goal was to identify the 30 best relief pitchers for the 2017 season alone.
Is someone like Dellin Betances a better bet to produce going forward than Brandon Kintzler?
Probably, but that's not what this is about—it's about ranking players based solely on their performance so far this year.
Previous top 30 series entries: Catchers, First Basemen, Second Basemen, Shortstops, Third Basemen, Outfielders, Starting Pitchers
30. Blake Parker, Los Angeles Angels (Preseason Rank: NR)
1 of 30
2017 Standard: 45 G, 1/3 SV, 8 HLD, 2.41 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 12.5 K/9
2017 Advanced: 35.4 K%, 6.8 BB%, 77.6 LOB%, .187 BAA
WAR: 1.1
Player Summary
Blake Parker was one of the few bright spots on a 96-loss Chicago Cubs team in 2013, posting a 2.72 ERA and 1.17 WHIP with 10.7 strikeouts per nine innings and seven holds in 49 games as a rookie.
However, he made just 35 appearances in the majors the past three seasons while posting a less-than-stellar 4.93 ERA and 1.41 WHIP.
The 32-year-old rode the waiver-wire carousel starting last August as he bounced from the Mariners to the Yankees to the Angels to the Brewers before landing back with the Angels for good in December.
He pitched his way onto the Opening Day roster with a strong spring, and he's quietly enjoying a career renaissance setting up another resurrected veteran arm in Bud Norris.
Honorable Mentions: Matt Albers (WAS), Danny Barnes (TOR), Andrew Chafin (ARI), Edwin Diaz (SEA), Carl Edwards Jr. (CHC), Nick Goody (CLE), Will Harris (HOU), Keone Kela (TEX), Joe Kelly (BOS), Zach McAllister (CLE), Jake McGee (COL), Juan Nicasio (PIT), Chris Rusin (COL), Jose Ramirez (ATL), A.J. Ramos (MIA), Taylor Rogers (MIN), Joe Smith (TOR), Hunter Strickland (SF), Anthony Swarzak (CWS), Nick Vincent (SEA), Arodys Vizcaino (ATL)
29. Chad Green, New York Yankees (Preseason Rank: NR)
2 of 30
2017 Standard: 20 G, 0/1 SV, 5 HLD, 1.70 ERA, 0.73 WHIP, 12.4 K/9
2017 Advanced: 37.5 K%, 8.1 BB%, 88.7 LOB%, .130 BAA
WAR: 1.6
Player Summary
Chad Green is the only player on this list who hasn't made at least 30 appearances.
However, he's been an integral part of the New York Yankees as a flex arm capable of filling any role from long reliever to eighth-inning setup man.
In his 19 relief appearances—he's also made one start this year—he's posted a 1.29 ERA, 0.67 WHIP and a .124 opponents' batting average.
There's a good chance the 26-year-old returns to the rotation in the future, but for now he remains a key piece of what might be baseball's best relief corps.
28. Pedro Baez, Los Angeles Dodgers (Preseason Rank: HM)
3 of 30
2017 Standard: 40 G, 0/1 SV, 13 HLD, 1.60 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 8.7 K/9
2017 Advanced: 22.6 K%, 9.5 BB%, 94.5 LOB%, .217 BAA
WAR: 1.1
Player Summary
Pedro Baez has seen his walk rate climb (2.7 to 3.7 BB/9) and his strikeout rate drop (10.1 to 8.7 K/9) this season, but he continues to be an effective bridge to closer Kenley Jansen.
The 29-year-old tallied 29 holds in a career-high 73 appearances last year, and he's been a workhorse once again this season with a team-high 40 appearances.
That's meant a lot of lost time for Los Angeles Dodgers fans as he continues to work at the glacial pace of 30.3 seconds per pitch. But he's helping the team win games, and you can't argue with results.
27. Adam Warren, New York Yankees (Preseason Rank: NR)
4 of 30
2017 Standard: 30 G, 1/4 SV, 8 HLD, 1.82 ERA, 0.76 WHIP, 8.9 K/9
2017 Advanced: 25.7 K%, 6.6 BB%, 64.2 LOB%, .146 BAA
WAR: 1.2
Player Summary
Adam Warren wasn't the same pitcher for the Chicago Cubs.
After spending the first four seasons of his career with the New York Yankees, Warren was shipped to the North Side as part of the Starlin Castro trade. After posting a 5.91 ERA over 29 appearances, he rejoined the Yankees in July as part of the Aroldis Chapman deal and righted the ship.
Now he's enjoying the best season of his career.
26. Ryan Madson, Washington Nationals (Preseason Rank: NR)
5 of 30
2017 Standard: 41 G, 1/4 SV, 15 HLD, 2.01 ERA, 0.77 WHIP, 8.9 K/9
2017 Advanced: 27.2 K%, 4.1 BB%, 79.5 LOB%, .180 BAA
WAR: 1.7
Player Summary
Not many players return to the majors after missing three full seasons to injury—let alone thrive upon returning.
Ryan Madson underwent Tommy John surgery prior to the 2012 season and didn't throw another pitch at the MLB level until 2015 when he made good on a minor league deal with the Kansas City Royals.
Since returning to action, he's posted a 2.67 ERA and 1.04 WHIP over 172 appearances, and he recorded the second 30-save season of his career last year in Oakland.
Now the 36-year-old is set to play a crucial role in the Washington Nationals' push for a title after being acquired via trade last week.
25. Tommy Kahnle, New York Yankees (Preseason Rank: NR)
6 of 30
2017 Standard: 38 G, 0/4 SV, 7 HLD, 2.43 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 15.1 K/9
2017 Advanced: 43.1 K%, 4.9 BB%, 74.7 LOB%, .204 BAA
WAR: 0.9
Player Summary
In roughly a year and a half, Tommy Kahnle went from an off-the-radar pickup to a valuable trade chip for the Chicago White Sox.
The 27-year-old showed flashes last season with a 2.63 ERA and 8.2 K/9 over 29 appearances, but an unsightly 6.6 BB/9 kept him out of high-leverage situations for the most part.
Now, with his walk rate lowered to a tidy 1.7 BB/9 and his strikeouts spiked to 15.1 K/9, he's emerged as one of the game's most overpowering relievers.
The White Sox decided to sell high earlier this week when they shipped Kahnle to the New York Yankees, and his inclusion in the seven-player blockbuster likely allowed the team to acquire top prospect Blake Rutherford.
24. Dellin Betances, New York Yankees (Preseason Rank: 10)
7 of 30
2017 Standard: 35 G, 6/8 SV, 10 HLD, 2.87 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 17.0 K/9
2017 Advanced: 42.5 K%, 19.4 BB%, 78.5 LOB%, .139 BAA
WAR: 0.8
2017 All-Star
Player Summary
It's hard to overlook the 27 walks Dellin Betances has issued in 31.1 innings of work, leaving him with a less-than-stellar 1.34 WHIP on the season.
It's also impossible to ignore his 17.0 K/9 and .139 opponents' batting average, and he's allowed just three extra-base hits all season.
The 29-year-old can be effectively wild more than anything else, and that propensity to allow baserunners has kept him from excelling in the closer's role when given the chance.
Still, there's little doubt he's one of the game's most dominant setup relievers.
23. Cody Allen, Cleveland Indians (Preseason Rank: 11)
8 of 30
2017 Standard: 38 G, 17/18 SV, 3 HLD, 3.16 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 12.2 K/9
2017 Advanced: 30.9 K%, 8.0 BB%, 82.2 LOB%, .257 BAA
WAR: 0.8
Player Summary
Cody Allen has nailed down 107 saves with a 2.62 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 12.1 K/9 since taking over as the Cleveland Indians closer in 2014.
His 89.9 percent conversion rate on saves during that span ranks seventh among pitchers with at least 1000 save chances, as he's been nothing if not reliable.
However, his peripheral numbers have not been quite as impressive this season as in years past.
His ERA (3.16), WHIP (1.38) and opponents' batting average (.259) would all represent his worst single-season totals since taking over ninth-inning duties.
22. Brad Brach, Baltimore Orioles (Preseason Rank: 21)
9 of 30
2017 Standard: 40 G, 16/20 SV, 6 HLD, 2.68 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 9.6 K/9
2017 Advanced: 28.3 K%, 7.9 BB%, 82.8 LOB%, .171 BAA
WAR: 1.4
Player Summary
The Baltimore Orioles have turned to Brad Brach to close out games this season with incumbent closer Zach Britton shelved with a forearm strain.
Over the past two seasons, he's been one of the game's premier setup relievers, posting a 2.39 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 10.3 K/9 while racking up 39 holds and earning a spot on the AL All-Star team in 2016.
The 31-year-old has performed well in his new role, and he's generating trade buzz as the Orioles slip out of contention.
With team control through the 2018 season and the demand for quality late-inning arms as high as ever, he could net a solid return for the prospect-hungry O's.
21. Mike Minor, Kansas City Royas (Preseason Rank: NR)
10 of 30
2017 Standard: 37 G, 9 HLD, 2.36 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 9.7 K/9
2017 Advanced: 27.2 K%, 6.7 BB%, 79.4 LOB%, .204 BAA
WAR: 1.5
Player Summary
Mike Minor was the No. 7 overall pick in the 2009 draft, and he looked like an emerging star for the Atlanta Braves after going 13-9 with a 3.21 ERA in 204.2 innings as a 25-year-old in 2013.
However, injuries derailed his rise to prominence, and he underwent surgery in May 2015 to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder. The Kansas City Royals took a chance on the recovering left-hander and signed him to a two-year, $7.25 million deal prior to the 2016 season, including a $10 million option for 2018.
While he didn't appear in the big leagues again last year, he's taken to his new role in the bullpen this season and emerged as one of the game's better lefty setup options.
The 29-year-old has limited lefties to a .123 average and .351 OPS on the year, but he's by no means a specialist, holding his own against right-handed hitters and pitching beyond one inning 12 times.
20. Ken Giles, Houston Astros (Preseason Rank: 19)
11 of 30
2017 Standard: 37 G, 20/22 SV, 1 HLD, 3.31 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 10.2 K/9
2017 Advanced: 28.0 K%, 9.8 BB%, 71.8 LOB%, .190 BAA
WAR: 0.6
Player Summary
There's no question Ken Giles has overpowering stuff with an average fastball velocity of 98.1 mph and a filthy slider that has limited opposing hitters to a .130 average and .058 isolated power.
However, he's still looking to establish himself as a true lockdown closer.
The 26-year-old struck out an impressive 102 batters in 65.2 innings last season, but he converted just 15 of 20 save chances and pitched to a 4.11 ERA in the process.
He's lowered that ERA to 3.31 this year while trimming his opponents' batting average (.234 to .190) and home run rate (1.1 to 0.5 HR/9) considerably, helping bring some stability to what was a revolving door at the back of the Houston Astros bullpen a year ago.
19. Bud Norris, Los Angeles Angels (Preseason Rank: NR)
12 of 30
2017 Standard: 39 G, 14/16 SV, 3 HLD, 2.35 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 11.5 K/9
2017 Advanced: 31.4 K%, 9.6 BB%, 85.4 LOB%, .194 BAA
WAR: 1.3
Player Summary
Bud Norris is enjoying a career renaissance with the Los Angeles Angels.
After he posted a 5.79 ERA and 1.51 WHIP over 30 starts and 43 relief appearances while pitching for four different teams the past two years, the Angels gave him a one-year, $1.75 million deal in the offseason.
He won a bullpen spot in spring training and pitched his way into the closer's role with Cam Bedrosian and Huston Street both sidelined. He's converted 14 of 15 save chances with a 1.82 ERA and 11.8 K/9 in 31 appearances since taking over the ninth-inning gig on April 22.
The 32-year-old is relying less on his slider and more on his cut fastball, which has helped transform him into a dominant late-inning arm.
18. Chris Devenski, Houston Astros (Preseason Rank: HM)
13 of 30
2017 Standard: 38 G, 3/6 SV, 13 HLD, 2.73 ERA, 0.82 WHIP, 12.4 K/9
2017 Advanced: 36.2 K%, 6.6 BB%, 77.7 LOB%, .162 BAA
WAR: 1.4
2017 All-Star
Player Summary
Chris Devenski finished fourth in AL Rookie of the Year voting last season as the Swiss army knife of the Houston Astros pitching staff.
In 108.1 innings of work over five starts and 43 relief appearances, he posted a 2.16 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and a 104-20 strikeout-to-walk ratio for a 2.8 WAR.
The 26-year-old has raised his strikeout rate from 8.6 to 12.4 K/9 this season while once again filling the Andrew Miller-type fireman role, and he earned a spot on the AL All-Star roster for his efforts.
A move to the rotation could come at some point, but at the moment he's an integral piece of the relief corps for the AL's best team.
17. Justin Wilson, Detroit Tigers (Preseason Rank: NR)
14 of 30
2017 Standard: 38 G, 10/12 SV, 8 HLD, 2.75 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, 12.5 K/9
2017 Advanced: 35.5 K%, 9.9 BB%, 81.0 LOB%, .157 BAA
WAR: 1.1
Player Summary
Justin Wilson is one of the hardest-throwing lefty relievers in the game with an average fastball velocity of 96.5 mph. This season that power stuff has been on full display in the ninth inning.
The 29-year-old tallied 25 holds with a 4.14 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 10.0 K/9 last season as the Detroit Tigers' top setup reliever, and he's improved on those numbers across the board while replacing Francisco Rodriguez in the closer's role.
The Tigers acquired Wilson from the Yankees prior to last season in exchange for two prospects, one of which was Chad Green, who checked in at No. 29 in these rankings. Now they could look to flip Wilson for a big return.
His trade market figures to be tied to that of Padres reliever Brad Hand. It wouldn't be surprising to see both guys moved before the deadline.
16. David Robertson, New York Yankees (Preseason Rank: HM)
15 of 30
2017 Standard: 31 G, 13/14 SV, 2.70 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 12.7 K/9
2017 Advanced: 35.6 K%, 8.3 BB%, 84.5 LOB%, .176 BAA
WAR: 1.1
Player Summary
David Robertson was one of the game's elite setup relievers getting the ball to Mariano Rivera before he finally got his chance to close in 2014. He saved 39 games and posted a 3.08 ERA and 13.4 K/9 that season, just in time for free agency.
The Chicago White Sox brought him aboard with a four-year, $46 million deal, but he now finds himself back in Yankee pinstripes after being traded earlier this week.
While shedding his $13 million salary for next season made sense for the rebuilding White Sox, it's hard to argue he's not worth that kind of money in today's market, even as he returns to a setup role.
Robertson is the fifth Yankees reliever to make an appearance on this list, and that doesn't include Aroldis Chapman, who was not eligible for inclusion based on the 30-inning requirement.
15. Addison Reed, New York Mets (Preseason Rank: 16)
16 of 30
2017 Standard: 43 G, 16/18 SV, 4 HLD, 2.40 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 9.4 K/9
2017 Advanced: 26.0 K%, 2.8 BB%, 87.5 LOB%, .239 BAA
WAR: 1.8
Player Summary
Addison Reed is another standout setup man who has been thrust into the closer's role as a result of injury this season. He replaced Jeurys Familia, who is recovering from surgery to remove a blood clot from his shoulder.
The 28-year-old has plenty of ninth-inning experience under his belt, as he saved 101 games over a three-year span from 2012 to 2014 while pitching for the Chicago White Sox and Arizona Diamondbacks.
However, he was at his very best last year while pitching in the eighth inning, as he posted a 1.97 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 10.5 K/9 with an MLB-high 40 holds in 80 appearances.
Reed is a free agent at season's end, and he'll have plenty of suitors as the market heats up in the coming days.
14. Brandon Kintzler, Minnesota Twins (Preseason Rank: NR)
17 of 30
2017 Standard: 41 G, 26/29 SV, 2.18 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 5.4 K/9
2017 Advanced: 15.6 K%, 5.0 BB%, 82.9 LOB%, .228 BAA
WAR: 1.5
2017 All-Star
Player Summary
Brandon Kintzler isn't your typical closer.
His fastball averages a modest 93.6 mph, and his 5.4 K/9 rate ranks 155th among the 159 relievers who have tossed at least 30 innings.
The 32-year-old continues to get the job done, though.
He joined the Minnesota Twins last year and wound up closing games in place of the injured Glen Perkins. In his two seasons with the team, he's converted 43 of 49 save chances with a 2.73 ERA and 1.14 WHIP in 95 appearances.
13. Brad Hand, San Diego Padres (Preseason Rank: NR)
18 of 30
2017 Standard: 43 G, 2/5 SV, 14 HLD, 2.25 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 11.4 K/9
2017 Advanced: 32.1 K%, 6.8 BB%, 83.7 LOB%, .199 BAA
WAR: 1.7
2017 All-Star
Player Summary
Brad Hand came to the San Diego Padres as a failed starter still trying to establish himself at the MLB level.
Over five seasons with the Marlins, he made 43 starts and 47 relief appearances, posting a 4.71 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 5.9 K/9 in 288.2 innings along the way.
However, since making the full-time move to the bullpen last year, his career has followed a similar arc to Andrew Miller as he's become one of the league's best lefty relievers.
Hand led the majors with 82 appearances in his first season in San Diego while tallying 21 holds and pitching to a 2.92 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 11.2 K/9.
Those peripheral numbers are even better this year. The 27-year-old is lining up to be one of the prizes of the trade deadline.
12. Mychal Givens, Baltimore Orioles (Preseason Rank: HM)
19 of 30
2017 Standard: 41 G, 0/3 SV, 17 HLD, 2.05 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 9.1 K/9
2017 Advanced: 25.9 K%, 6.9 BB%, 93.6 LOB%, .191 BAA
WAR: 1.9
Player Summary
Mychal Givens enjoyed a terrific first full season in the big leagues last year, posting a 3.13 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 11.6 K/9 over 66 appearances while tallying eight wins and 13 holds as a middle reliever.
With Zach Britton injured and Darren O'Day struggling, he's taken on a more important role as the Baltimore Orioles' primary setup man.
The 27-year-old is not striking batters out at the same impressive rate he did a year ago, but he's traded those punchouts for notable improvements in his ERA (3.13 to 2.05), WHIP (1.27 to 0.95), walk rate (4.3 to 2.4 BB/9) and opponents' batting average (.220 to .191).
If the Orioles ever pull the trigger on trading Brach and Britton, he could thrive in the closer's role.
11. Corey Knebel, Milwaukee Brewers (Preseason Rank: NR)
20 of 30
2017 Standard: 46 G, 16/21 SV, 11 HLD, 1.79 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 15.7 K/9
2017 Advanced: 42.0 K%, 14.4 BB%, 90.7 LOB%, .175 BAA
WAR: 2.1
2017 All-Star
Player Summary
The Milwaukee Brewers handed Neftali Feliz a one-year, $5.35 million deal during the offseason with the intention of using him as the team's closer.
However, he struggled to a 6.00 ERA over 29 appearances and was released after hard-throwing Corey Knebel supplanted him in the ninth inning.
Knebel came to the Brewers in 2015 as part of the trade that sent Yovani Gallardo to the Texas Rangers. His first two seasons with the team were a mixed bag as he posted a 3.80 ERA and 1.31 WHIP along with an impressive 10.3 K/9.
Everything has clicked this season. With a mid-90s fastball and a power curve, he has the classic closer repertoire.
10. Pat Neshek, Philadelphia Phillies (Preseason Rank: NR)
21 of 30
2017 Standard: 41 G, 1/3 SV, 10 HLD, 1.17 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, 9.6 K/9
2017 Advanced: 29.1 K%, 3.6 BB%, 92.5 LOB%, .199 BAA
WAR: 2.0
2017 All-Star
Player Summary
No one is more likely to be traded this July than Philadelphia Phillies veteran reliever Pat Neshek.
The Phillies have the worst record in baseball, and the 36-year-old is in the final season of a three-year, $18.5 million contract.
He earned that deal with a brilliant 2014 season when he posted a 1.87 ERA, 0.79 WHIP and 9.1 K/9 with six saves and 25 holds in 71 games as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals.
Inconsistency the past two seasons led the Houston Astros to move him during the offseason in what amounted to a salary dump, and the Phillies stand to benefit from rolling the dice on a bounce-back season.
9. Roberto Osuna, Toronto Blue Jays (Preseason Rank: 9)
22 of 30
2017 Standard: 40 G, 23/27 SV, 2.11 ERA, 0.76 WHIP, 12.0 K/9
2017 Advanced: 35.9 K%, 2.8 BB%, 76.3 LOB%, .181 BAA
WAR: 1.9
2017 All-Star
Player Summary
Roberto Osuna is still just 22 years old and is the ninth-youngest AL player to appear in a game so far this season.
A first-time All-Star this season, he's been brilliant since breaking into the league, converting 79 of 92 save chances with a 2.52 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 10.3 K/9 in 180 appearances.
With 51 strikeouts and just four walks in 38.1 innings of work this year, he's shown marked improvement in both his walk rate (1.7 to 0.9 BB/9) and strikeout rate (10.0 to 12.0 K/9).
His slider also ranks as one of the game's most dominant pitches, limiting opposing hitters to a .106 average and .021 ISO while he throws it 20.7 percent of the time.
8. Wade Davis, Chicago Cubs (Preseason Rank: 8)
23 of 30
2017 Standard: 33 G, 18/18 SV, 2.25 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 12.7 K/9
2017 Advanced: 34.4 K%, 10.7 BB%, 78.0 LOB%, .183 BAA
WAR: 0.8
2017 All-Star
Player Summary
The Chicago Cubs let Aroldis Chapman walk in free agency after acquiring him in a deadline deal with the New York Yankees, and that left a hole to fill in the ninth inning.
They filled that void with another trade, shipping superfluous outfielder Jorge Soler to the Kansas City Royals for Wade Davis at the start of the offseason.
The 31-year-old is a free agent himself this coming offseason, but he's been every bit as good as the flame-thrower he replaced thus far.
Since making the full-time move to the bullpen in 2014, Davis has pitched to a 1.34 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 11.7 K/9 with 65 saves in 72 chances over 218 appearances.
7. Archie Bradley, Arizona Diamondbacks (Preseason Rank: NR)
24 of 30
2017 Standard: 35 G, 0/2 SV, 12 HLD, 1.45 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 10.6 K/9
2017 Advanced: 30.2 K%, 4.7 BB%, 92.6 LOB%, .206 BAA
WAR: 2.4
Player Summary
Archie Bradley was the No. 7 overall pick in the 2011 draft, and he appeared on the Baseball America Top 100 prospect list four different times as he made his way up the minor league ranks—peaking at No. 9 prior to the 2014 season.
However, he never figured it out as a starter in his first full season in the rotation last year, going 8-9 with a 5.02 ERA and 1.56 WHIP over 22 starts.
The Diamondbacks opted to use him out of the bullpen this season when he didn't win a rotation spot as opposed to shipping him back to the minors, and he's made a seamless transition to the new role.
The 24-year-old is throwing significantly harder in shorter outings. His average fastball velocity is up from 93.4 to 96.5 mph, and he's essentially become a two-pitch guy, backing that heater with a plus curveball.
6. Raisel Iglesias, Cincinnati Reds (Preseason Rank: HM)
25 of 30
2017 Standard: 39 G, 16/17 SV, 1.55 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, 11.3 K/9
2017 Advanced: 32.8 K%, 9.6 BB%, 84.6 LOB%, .163 BAA
WAR: 1.8
Player Summary
The Cincinnati Reds signed Raisel Iglesias to a seven-year, $27 million contract after he defected from Cuba in 2014, and he was used primarily as a starter during his first full season with the team.
Cincinnati moved him to the bullpen last season in an effort to keep him healthy, and Iglesias thrived in the new role, posting a 1.98 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 9.7 K/9 in 32 appearances out of the pen.
That was enough to earn him the closer's role this season, and he's been as untouchable as any late-inning hurler with a .163 opponents' batting average and 16 saves in 17 chances.
With three years and roughly $16.6 million left on his deal, the rebuilding Reds face an interesting decision: Hold on to him as a future piece or sell high on his remaining control.
5. Greg Holland, Colorado Rockies (Preseason Rank: NR)
26 of 30
2017 Standard: 37 G, 30/31 SV, 1.53 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 12.2 K/9
2017 Advanced: 35.3 K%, 11.8 BB%, 90.1 LOB%, .158 BAA
WAR: 2.2
2017 All-Star
Player Summary
Greg Holland was perhaps the most intriguing reclamation project on the free-agent market this past offseason after he missed the second half of the 2015 season and all of 2016 recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Prior to that injury, he had been one of the game's elite closers, but he wound up having to settle for a one-year, $6 million "prove-it" deal with the Colorado Rockies that includes a $15 million player option for 2018.
The 31-year-old has gone right back to dominating opposing hitters with his terrific fastball/slider combination, and he's as big a reason as any for the Rockies' success this year.
Look for Holland to decline that player option and cash in with a big free-agent deal this winter.
4. Felipe Rivero, Pittsburgh Pirates (Preseason Rank: NR)
27 of 30
2017 Standard: 47 G, 8/8 SV, 14 HLD, 0.71 ERA, 0.71 WHIP, 10.7 K/9
2017 Advanced: 31.3 K%, 6.3 BB%, 82.9 LOB%, .136 BAA
WAR: 2.4
Player Summary
How in the world was Felipe Rivero left off the NL All-Star team?
Among relievers with at least 30 innings pitched, he ranks near the top in ERA (0.71, first), WHIP (0.71, fourth), opponents' batting average (.136, sixth) and WAR (2.4, t-first).
He's also converted all eight of his save chances to go along with the 14 holds he tallied prior to replacing Tony Watson as the Pittsburgh Pirates closer.
The 26-year-old was acquired last summer in the deal that sent Mark Melancon to the Washington Nationals. With control through the 2021 season, it appears the Pirates have found their closer of the present and future.
3. Craig Kimbrel, Boston Red Sox (Preseason Rank: 5)
28 of 30
2017 Standard: 39 G, 24/27 SV, 1 HLD, 1.32 ERA, 0.56 WHIP, 16.0 K/9
2017 Advanced: 49.3 K%, 4.1 BB%, 91.4 LOB%, .121 BAA
WAR: 2.3
2017 All-Star
Player Summary
Craig Kimbrel has blown a pair of saves since the calendar turned over to July, and his ERA has climbed from 1.01 to 1.32 in the process, but his overall numbers are still dominant enough to earn him the No. 3 spot in these rankings.
He's allowed just six hits all season to right-handed batters, and his 49.3 percent strikeout rate leads all relievers by more than six percent.
The 29-year-old has saved at least 30 games each of the past six seasons, and he's well on his way to reaching that total once again. He's returned to dominance after posting a career-high 3.40 ERA a year ago.
Kimbrel sported a 3.6 BB/9 career walk rate heading into the season. Walks have always been a part of his game, but he's trimmed that to 1.3 BB/9 this year, and he has a career-best 0.56 WHIP to show for it.
2. Andrew Miller, Cleveland Indians (Preseason Rank: 4)
29 of 30
2017 Standard: 40 G, 2/2 SV, 19 HLD, 1.53 ERA, 0.70 WHIP, 13.0 K/9
2017 Advanced: 38.4 K%, 7.3 BB%, 81.3 LOB%, .124 BAA
WAR: 2.4
2017 All-Star
Player Summary
Remember when that four-year, $36 million deal the New York Yankees gave Andrew Miller in free agency seemed unbelievable?
Now it looks like one of the best contracts in baseball after Kenley Jansen (five-year, $80 million) and Aroldis Chapman (five-year, $86 million) inked massive new deals this past offseason.
Since the start of the 2014 season when everything clicked for Miller, his numbers look like something out of a video game as he's posted a 1.76 ERA, 0.76 WHIP and 14.5 K/9 in 243 appearances.
The 32-year-old has one year and $9 million left on that aforementioned contract before hitting the open market once again, and his availability could spark a bidding war.
1. Kenley Jansen, Los Angeles Dodgers (Preseason Rank: 2)
30 of 30
2017 Standard: 39 G, 24/24 SV, 1 HLD, 0.88 ERA, 0.59 WHIP, 13.6 K/9
2017 Advanced: 41.6 K%, 1.3 BB%, 90.1 LOB%, .151 BAA
WAR: 2.0
2017 All-Star
Player Summary
Kenley Jansen has a 62-2 strikeout-to-walk rate in 41 innings of work this season.
That alone is enough to earn him the No. 1 position in these rankings.
Throw in the fact that he's converted all 24 of his save chances with a sub-1.00 ERA, and he becomes an easy choice for the top spot.
The 29-year-old has given the Los Angeles Dodgers no reason to second-guess giving him that five-year, $80 million deal during the offseason, and there's no chance they'd be off to this dominant start if they had let him walk.
Standard stats and WAR totals courtesy of Baseball Reference. Advanced stats courtesy of FanGraphs and Brooks Baseball. Contract information via Spotrac.
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