2013 End of Season Rankings: Relief Pitching
The 2013 fantasy baseball season has come to a close, so it is time to look back at the season past and determine which players were the most valuable at each position. This week focuses on relief pitchers.
The players were ranked based on their 2013 production, using the evaluation system explained and updated on this site some time ago. To keep things manageable and avoid skewing the numbers, players were only considered if they amassed 40 innings over the course of the year. The replacement level was also adjusted to account for players eligible at multiples positions. The valuations are built for $260 budgets and traditional 5×5 roto fantasy leagues, where only one catcher is started.
One important thing to note is the premium (or lack thereof) placed on the position a player occupies in your lineup. For example, while a first baseman may be able to accumulate superior overall numbers, the availability of such production lower in the rankings severely dampers the amount the player was worth.
These rankings are meant to reflect a player’s value should he have occupied this spot in your lineup for the entire year. So, a player who missed time due to injury but put up great numbers during his time on the field would be worth less.
With all this in mind, here are your rankings.
Name | Pos | IP | W | SV | ERA | WHIP | K | $$ | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Craig Kimbrel | RP | 67 | 4 | 50 | 1.21 | 0.88 | 98 | 20.55 |
2 | Greg Holland | RP | 67 | 2 | 47 | 1.21 | 0.87 | 103 | 18.58 |
3 | Joe Nathan | RP | 64.2 | 6 | 43 | 1.39 | 0.90 | 73 | 17.34 |
4 | Koji Uehara | RP | 74.1 | 4 | 21 | 1.09 | 0.57 | 101 | 16.90 |
5 | Kenley Jansen | RP | 76.2 | 4 | 28 | 1.88 | 0.86 | 111 | 14.44 |
6 | Mariano Rivera | RP | 64 | 6 | 44 | 2.11 | 1.05 | 54 | 13.36 |
7 | Aroldis Chapman | RP | 63.2 | 4 | 38 | 2.54 | 1.04 | 112 | 12.84 |
8 | Glen Perkins | RP | 62.2 | 2 | 36 | 2.30 | 0.93 | 77 | 10.14 |
9 | Steve Cishek | RP | 69.2 | 4 | 34 | 2.33 | 1.08 | 74 | 9.62 |
10 | Sergio Romo | RP | 60.1 | 5 | 38 | 2.54 | 1.08 | 58 | 9.60 |
11 | Jim Johnson | RP | 70.1 | 3 | 50 | 2.94 | 1.28 | 56 | 9.02 |
12 | Addison Reed | RP | 71.1 | 5 | 40 | 3.79 | 1.11 | 72 | 8.54 |
13 | Joaquin Benoit | RP | 67 | 4 | 24 | 2.01 | 1.03 | 73 | 7.58 |
14 | Casey Janssen | RP | 52.2 | 4 | 34 | 2.56 | 0.99 | 50 | 7.44 |
15 | Edward Mujica | RP | 64.2 | 2 | 37 | 2.78 | 1.01 | 46 | 6.84 |
16 | Jim Henderson | RP | 60 | 5 | 28 | 2.70 | 1.13 | 75 | 6.76 |
17 | Mark Melancon | RP | 71 | 3 | 16 | 1.39 | 0.96 | 70 | 6.76 |
18 | Rafael Soriano | RP | 66.2 | 3 | 43 | 3.11 | 1.23 | 51 | 6.71 |
19 | Fernando Rodney | RP | 66.2 | 5 | 37 | 3.38 | 1.34 | 82 | 6.47 |
20 | Grant Balfour | RP | 62.2 | 1 | 38 | 2.59 | 1.20 | 72 | 6.30 |
21 | Ernesto Frieri | RP | 68.2 | 2 | 37 | 3.80 | 1.24 | 98 | 5.48 |
22 | Jonathan Papelbon | RP | 61.2 | 5 | 29 | 2.92 | 1.14 | 57 | 5.47 |
23 | Huston Street | RP | 56.2 | 2 | 33 | 2.70 | 1.02 | 46 | 5.17 |
24 | Luke Hochevar | RP | 70.1 | 5 | 2 | 1.92 | 0.82 | 82 | 5.03 |
25 | Jason Grilli | RP | 50 | 0 | 33 | 2.70 | 1.06 | 74 | 4.72 |
26 | Bobby Parnell | RP | 50 | 5 | 22 | 2.16 | 1.00 | 44 | 4.50 |
27 | Neal Cotts | RP | 56 | 8 | 1 | 1.13 | 0.95 | 64 | 4.28 |
28 | Brad Ziegler | RP | 73 | 8 | 13 | 2.22 | 1.14 | 44 | 3.97 |
29 | Tyler Clippard | RP | 71 | 6 | 0 | 2.41 | 0.86 | 73 | 3.11 |
30 | Tommy Hunter | RP | 86.1 | 6 | 4 | 2.81 | 0.98 | 68 | 2.68 |
31 | Drew Smyly | RP | 76 | 6 | 2 | 2.37 | 1.04 | 81 | 2.51 |
32 | Rex Brothers | RP | 67.1 | 2 | 19 | 1.74 | 1.29 | 76 | 2.40 |
33 | David Robertson | RP | 66.1 | 5 | 3 | 2.04 | 1.04 | 77 | 1.84 |
34 | Tanner Scheppers | RP | 75.2 | 6 | 1 | 1.90 | 1.07 | 57 | 1.39 |
35 | David Carpenter | RP | 65.2 | 4 | 0 | 1.78 | 0.99 | 74 | 1.01 |
36 | Luke Gregerson | RP | 66.1 | 6 | 4 | 2.71 | 1.01 | 64 | 1.00 |
37 | Kevin Gregg | RP | 62 | 2 | 33 | 3.48 | 1.37 | 56 | 0.96 |
38 | Justin Wilson | RP | 73.2 | 6 | 0 | 2.08 | 1.06 | 59 | 0.75 |
39 | Alex Torres | RP | 58 | 4 | 0 | 1.71 | 0.90 | 62 | 0.58 |
40 | Luis Avilan | RP | 65 | 5 | 0 | 1.52 | 0.95 | 38 | 0.46 |
41 | Darren O’Day | RP | 62 | 5 | 2 | 2.18 | 1.00 | 59 | 0.23 |
42 | Tony Watson | RP | 71.2 | 3 | 2 | 2.39 | 0.88 | 54 | 0.17 |
43 | Trevor Rosenthal | RP | 75.1 | 2 | 3 | 2.63 | 1.10 | 108 | 0.12 |
44 | Jose Veras | RP | 62.2 | 0 | 21 | 3.02 | 1.07 | 60 | 0.09 |
45 | Alfredo Simon | RP | 87.2 | 6 | 1 | 2.87 | 1.07 | 63 | 0.03 |
46 | Cody Allen | RP | 70.1 | 6 | 2 | 2.43 | 1.25 | 88 | -0.08 |
47 | Sean Doolittle | RP | 69 | 5 | 2 | 3.13 | 0.96 | 60 | -0.75 |
48 | Nick Vincent | RP | 46.1 | 6 | 1 | 2.14 | 0.95 | 49 | -0.83 |
49 | LaTroy Hawkins | RP | 70.2 | 3 | 13 | 2.93 | 1.15 | 55 | -0.88 |
50 | Paco Rodriguez | RP | 54.1 | 3 | 2 | 2.32 | 0.90 | 63 | -0.97 |
51 | Chris Perez | RP | 54 | 5 | 25 | 4.33 | 1.43 | 54 | -1.26 |
52 | J.J. Hoover | RP | 66 | 5 | 3 | 2.86 | 1.11 | 67 | -1.29 |
53 | Dane de la Rosa | RP | 72.1 | 6 | 2 | 2.86 | 1.16 | 65 | -1.34 |
54 | Bryan Shaw | RP | 75 | 7 | 1 | 3.24 | 1.17 | 73 | -1.35 |
55 | Joe Smith | RP | 63 | 6 | 3 | 2.29 | 1.22 | 54 | -1.52 |
56 | Craig Stammen | RP | 81.2 | 7 | 0 | 2.76 | 1.29 | 79 | -1.57 |
57 | Brett Cecil | RP | 60.2 | 5 | 1 | 2.82 | 1.10 | 70 | -1.78 |
58 | Vin Mazzaro | RP | 73.2 | 8 | 1 | 2.81 | 1.21 | 46 | -1.83 |
59 | J.P. Howell | RP | 62 | 4 | 0 | 2.18 | 1.05 | 54 | -1.96 |
60 | Ryan Cook | RP | 67.1 | 6 | 2 | 2.54 | 1.29 | 67 | -2.17 |
61 | Caleb Thielbar | RP | 46 | 3 | 0 | 1.76 | 0.83 | 39 | -2.49 |
62 | Josh Collmenter | RP | 92 | 5 | 0 | 3.13 | 1.22 | 85 | -2.50 |
63 | Aaron Loup | RP | 69.1 | 4 | 2 | 2.47 | 1.14 | 53 | -2.57 |
64 | Francisco Rodriguez | RP | 46.2 | 3 | 10 | 2.70 | 1.20 | 54 | -2.71 |
65 | Brandon Kintzler | RP | 77 | 3 | 0 | 2.69 | 1.06 | 58 | -2.72 |
66 | Craig Breslow | RP | 59.2 | 5 | 0 | 1.81 | 1.12 | 33 | -2.75 |
67 | Heath Bell | RP | 65.2 | 5 | 15 | 4.11 | 1.37 | 72 | -2.76 |
68 | Santiago Casilla | RP | 50 | 7 | 2 | 2.16 | 1.28 | 38 | -2.93 |
69 | Casey Fien | RP | 62 | 5 | 0 | 3.92 | 1.02 | 73 | -3.15 |
70 | Anthony Swarzak | RP | 96 | 3 | 0 | 2.91 | 1.16 | 69 | -3.26 |
71 | Mike Dunn | RP | 67.2 | 3 | 2 | 2.66 | 1.20 | 72 | -3.30 |
72 | Junichi Tazawa | RP | 68.1 | 5 | 0 | 3.16 | 1.20 | 72 | -3.50 |
73 | Jerry Blevins | RP | 60 | 5 | 0 | 3.15 | 1.07 | 52 | -3.55 |
74 | Danny Farquhar | RP | 55.2 | 0 | 16 | 4.20 | 1.19 | 79 | -3.76 |
75 | Kelvin Herrera | RP | 58.1 | 5 | 2 | 3.86 | 1.18 | 74 | -4.02 |
76 | Jean Machi | RP | 53 | 3 | 0 | 2.38 | 1.09 | 51 | -4.24 |
77 | Chad Qualls | RP | 62 | 5 | 0 | 2.61 | 1.23 | 49 | -4.27 |
78 | Steve Delabar | RP | 58.2 | 5 | 1 | 3.22 | 1.35 | 82 | -4.32 |
79 | Joel Peralta | RP | 71.1 | 3 | 1 | 3.41 | 1.14 | 74 | -4.33 |
80 | Seth Maness | RP | 62 | 5 | 1 | 2.32 | 1.26 | 35 | -4.58 |
81 | Jason Frasor | RP | 48.1 | 4 | 0 | 2.61 | 1.12 | 48 | -4.58 |
82 | Jake McGee | RP | 62.2 | 5 | 1 | 4.02 | 1.18 | 75 | -4.59 |
83 | Tom Wilhelmsen | RP | 59 | 0 | 24 | 4.12 | 1.32 | 45 | -4.61 |
84 | A.J. Ramos | RP | 80 | 3 | 0 | 3.15 | 1.26 | 86 | -4.67 |
85 | Yoervis Medina | RP | 68 | 4 | 1 | 2.91 | 1.31 | 71 | -4.71 |
86 | Sam LeCure | RP | 61 | 2 | 1 | 2.66 | 1.21 | 66 | -5.02 |
87 | Jordan Walden | RP | 47 | 4 | 1 | 3.45 | 1.13 | 54 | -5.29 |
88 | Jamey Wright | RP | 68.1 | 2 | 0 | 3.03 | 1.16 | 64 | -5.46 |
89 | Will Harris | RP | 52.2 | 4 | 0 | 2.91 | 1.23 | 53 | -5.54 |
90 | Nate Jones | RP | 78 | 4 | 0 | 4.15 | 1.22 | 89 | -5.72 |
91 | Antonio Bastardo | RP | 42.2 | 3 | 2 | 2.32 | 1.27 | 47 | -5.73 |
92 | David Hernandez | RP | 62.1 | 5 | 2 | 4.48 | 1.19 | 66 | -5.86 |
93 | Tim Stauffer | RP | 69.2 | 3 | 0 | 3.75 | 1.13 | 64 | -5.93 |
94 | Dale Thayer | RP | 65 | 3 | 1 | 3.32 | 1.25 | 64 | -6.09 |
95 | Ryan Webb | RP | 80.1 | 2 | 0 | 2.91 | 1.21 | 54 | -6.12 |
96 | Robbie Ross | RP | 62.1 | 4 | 0 | 3.03 | 1.32 | 58 | -6.21 |
97 | Charlie Furbush | RP | 65 | 2 | 0 | 3.74 | 1.18 | 80 | -6.23 |
98 | Adam Ottavino | RP | 78.1 | 1 | 0 | 2.64 | 1.33 | 78 | -6.31 |
99 | Aaron Crow | RP | 48 | 7 | 1 | 3.38 | 1.48 | 44 | -6.42 |
100 | Anthony Varvaro | RP | 73.1 | 3 | 1 | 2.82 | 1.27 | 43 | -6.46 |
101 | Blake Parker | RP | 46.1 | 1 | 1 | 2.72 | 1.17 | 55 | -6.69 |
102 | Manny Parra | RP | 46 | 2 | 0 | 3.33 | 1.20 | 56 | -7.33 |
103 | Matt Belisle | RP | 73 | 5 | 0 | 4.32 | 1.25 | 62 | -7.34 |
104 | Oliver Perez | RP | 53 | 3 | 2 | 3.74 | 1.43 | 74 | -7.52 |
105 | Bryan Morris | RP | 65 | 5 | 0 | 3.46 | 1.31 | 37 | -7.56 |
106 | Shawn Kelley | RP | 53.1 | 4 | 0 | 4.39 | 1.31 | 71 | -7.61 |
107 | Brian Matusz | RP | 51 | 2 | 0 | 3.53 | 1.16 | 50 | -7.62 |
108 | Alfredo Figaro | RP | 49 | 2 | 1 | 2.94 | 1.18 | 33 | -7.65 |
109 | John Axford | RP | 65 | 7 | 0 | 4.02 | 1.52 | 65 | -7.80 |
110 | Jared Burton | RP | 66 | 2 | 2 | 3.82 | 1.26 | 61 | -7.86 |
111 | Burke Badenhop | RP | 62.1 | 2 | 1 | 3.47 | 1.19 | 42 | -7.88 |
112 | Scott Downs | RP | 43.1 | 4 | 0 | 2.49 | 1.48 | 37 | -7.97 |
113 | Brian Duensing | RP | 61 | 6 | 1 | 3.98 | 1.48 | 56 | -8.05 |
114 | Matt Albers | RP | 63 | 3 | 0 | 3.14 | 1.27 | 35 | -8.07 |
115 | Jesse Chavez | RP | 57.1 | 2 | 1 | 3.92 | 1.22 | 55 | -8.21 |
116 | Brandon League | RP | 54.1 | 6 | 14 | 5.30 | 1.55 | 28 | -8.31 |
117 | Logan Ondrusek | RP | 55 | 3 | 0 | 4.09 | 1.25 | 53 | -8.47 |
118 | Drew Storen | RP | 61.2 | 4 | 3 | 4.52 | 1.36 | 58 | -8.60 |
119 | Scott Rice | RP | 51 | 4 | 0 | 3.71 | 1.35 | 41 | -8.64 |
120 | Pedro Strop | RP | 57.1 | 2 | 1 | 4.55 | 1.24 | 66 | -8.86 |
121 | Darren Oliver | RP | 49 | 3 | 0 | 3.86 | 1.27 | 40 | -8.96 |
122 | Ryan Pressly | RP | 76.2 | 3 | 0 | 3.87 | 1.28 | 49 | -9.01 |
123 | Tim Collins | RP | 53.1 | 3 | 0 | 3.54 | 1.44 | 52 | -9.26 |
124 | Al Alburquerque | RP | 49 | 4 | 0 | 4.59 | 1.49 | 70 | -9.31 |
125 | Ronald Belisario | RP | 68 | 5 | 1 | 3.97 | 1.47 | 49 | -9.48 |
126 | Sandy Rosario | RP | 41.2 | 3 | 0 | 3.02 | 1.39 | 24 | -9.56 |
127 | Troy Patton | RP | 56 | 2 | 0 | 3.70 | 1.30 | 42 | -9.69 |
128 | Matt Lindstrom | RP | 60.2 | 2 | 0 | 3.12 | 1.43 | 46 | -9.72 |
129 | Jeanmar Gomez | RP | 45.1 | 2 | 0 | 3.77 | 1.24 | 32 | -9.77 |
130 | James Russell | RP | 52.2 | 1 | 0 | 3.59 | 1.22 | 37 | -9.78 |
131 | Cesar Ramos | RP | 67.1 | 2 | 1 | 4.14 | 1.31 | 53 | -9.93 |
132 | Matt Guerrier | RP | 42.2 | 4 | 0 | 4.01 | 1.41 | 30 | -9.94 |
133 | Michael Kohn | RP | 53 | 1 | 0 | 3.74 | 1.32 | 52 | -9.99 |
134 | T.J. McFarland | RP | 72 | 4 | 0 | 4.00 | 1.43 | 54 | -10.00 |
135 | Dan Jennings | RP | 40.2 | 2 | 0 | 3.76 | 1.35 | 38 | -10.09 |
136 | Pat Neshek | RP | 40.1 | 2 | 0 | 3.35 | 1.36 | 29 | -10.19 |
137 | Adam Warren | RP | 69 | 2 | 1 | 3.52 | 1.46 | 56 | -10.19 |
138 | Scott Atchison | RP | 45.1 | 3 | 0 | 4.37 | 1.26 | 28 | -10.30 |
139 | Justin De Fratus | RP | 46.2 | 3 | 0 | 3.86 | 1.50 | 42 | -10.58 |
140 | Josh Outman | RP | 54 | 3 | 0 | 4.33 | 1.46 | 53 | -10.77 |
141 | Joe Ortiz | RP | 44.2 | 2 | 0 | 4.23 | 1.25 | 27 | -10.80 |
142 | Wesley Wright | RP | 53.2 | 0 | 0 | 3.69 | 1.36 | 55 | -10.82 |
143 | Wilton Lopez | RP | 75.1 | 3 | 0 | 4.06 | 1.41 | 48 | -11.15 |
144 | George Kontos | RP | 55.1 | 2 | 0 | 4.39 | 1.41 | 47 | -11.59 |
145 | Preston Claiborne | RP | 50.1 | 0 | 0 | 4.11 | 1.29 | 42 | -11.63 |
146 | Carlos Marmol | RP | 49 | 2 | 2 | 4.41 | 1.63 | 59 | -11.73 |
147 | J.C. Gutierrez | RP | 55.1 | 1 | 0 | 4.23 | 1.37 | 45 | -11.80 |
148 | Garrett Richards | RP | 41.2 | 1 | 1 | 4.10 | 1.44 | 30 | -12.11 |
149 | Manuel Corpas | RP | 41.2 | 1 | 0 | 4.54 | 1.34 | 30 | -12.30 |
150 | Hector Rondon | RP | 54.2 | 2 | 0 | 4.77 | 1.41 | 44 | -12.38 |
151 | Jose Cisnero | RP | 43.2 | 2 | 0 | 4.12 | 1.63 | 41 | -12.52 |
152 | Matt Thornton | RP | 43.1 | 0 | 0 | 3.74 | 1.43 | 30 | -12.69 |
153 | Josh Roenicke | RP | 62 | 3 | 1 | 4.35 | 1.60 | 45 | -12.98 |
154 | Paul Clemens | RP | 46.2 | 4 | 0 | 6.36 | 1.46 | 37 | -13.52 |
155 | Carter Capps | RP | 59 | 3 | 0 | 5.49 | 1.63 | 66 | -14.15 |
156 | Joba Chamberlain | RP | 42 | 2 | 1 | 4.93 | 1.74 | 38 | -14.15 |
157 | Michael Gonzalez | RP | 50 | 0 | 0 | 4.68 | 1.66 | 60 | -14.53 |
158 | Edgmer Escalona | RP | 46 | 1 | 0 | 5.67 | 1.43 | 34 | -14.64 |
159 | Jose Mijares | RP | 49 | 0 | 0 | 4.22 | 1.78 | 54 | -15.07 |
160 | Anthony Bass | RP | 42 | 0 | 0 | 5.36 | 1.69 | 31 | -16.59 |
Zach is the creator and co-author of RotoGraphs' Roto Riteup series, and RotoGraphs' second-longest tenured writer. You can follow him on twitter.
I appreciate your article, but,in a Roto league that includes “Holds”, ( usually A.L. or N.L. only) instead of K’s these rankings would be turned on their ear. You usually can’t get a “Save” unless someone sucessfully pitches the 7th or 8th inning and only applies in a game that has less than a 4 run lead, much the same as a “Save”. Once again the “Holds” stat is all but forgotten. This stat brings value to a whole group of players that rarely gets attention and allows probably and extra team in A.L. or N.L. only leagues by increasing the player pool. And is a fun part of the game, by searching out the value players who bring this stat while performing well in the usual pitching categories such as ERA and WHIP and have the managers confidence for the high leverage inning. Many of our Closers, especially young pitchers ( pay attention owners ) grow out of the 7th and 8th innings. In keeper leagues a savy owner can get his Closers cheap by paying attention.