RotoGraphs June Consensus Ranks: Relief Pitchers

Relievers are a volatile bunch. Some of you drafted the Greg Hollands and Koji Ueharas of the world early and you’re like “this closer game is easy.” Others are saying “I can’t believe I spent a ninth-round draft pick on Joe Nathan.” More are lauding their own snag of Francisco Rodriguez from the Opening Day waiver wire while their fellow players still lament that between Joe Smith, Rex Brothers, Mark Melancon, and Darren O’Day, their free agent scavenging has borne little fruit.

The good news? There is still time. Cody Allen and Zach Britton are quietly climbing up the ladder but can probably still be had relatively cheap (or even free) in some leagues. Maybe Dellin Betances or Wade Davis can save your rates and undo some of Clay Buchholz’s damage. Perhaps you can take an educated gamble on Adam Ottavino or Joba Chamberlain and hope one of the veterans they are standing behind finally falls down.

While the top tier remains pretty defined, disagreement is starting to crop up. I love Joakim Soria’s improved control and rediscovered changeup. Alan thinks Huston Street can maintain health and elite peripherals all year. Getting nervous about that SV category in your league or are you just riding the wave?

As Eno has pointed out, this is for rest of season 5×5 roto. If I can figure out color arrows, I’ll add them, but you can compare to our preseason rankings here. Our third ranker (that would be Ben, for those keeping score at home) is apparently off at some unknown music festival and will contribute to the consensus when he’s not hanging out under This Tent or That Tent.