With the trade deadline fast approaching, the saves chasers will be paying close attention to the rumors to target the next arm up in bullpens where the closer gets dealt. But, knowing which relievers faring the best in high leverage could provide valuable insight in identifying relievers to stash in the next two weeks. 

There’s been some interesting movement since the initial launch of the metric on the Fantasy Alarm site. Especially within the top five high leverage pitchers in the last run of the numbers.

NameTeamWPARE24pLIWPA/LISDMDGIPEff. Rate
Scott Oberg Rockies2.6417.121.731.662053945.21.806
Liam Hendriks Athletics218.811.131.6216342501.736
Kirby Yates Padres3.3112.992.351.4229339411.631
Taylor Rogers Twins2.7813.372.071.332233542.21.502
Josh Hader Brewers2.6414.031.951.2521633451.392
Will Smith Giants3.059.741.521.22523837.11.359
Giovanny Gallegos Cardinals0.5213.770.571.3843642.11.336
Brandon Workman Red Sox1.1111.271.741.261754441.11.335
Ryan Pressly Astros1.7813.251.41.211954141.11.32
Brandon Kintzler Cubs1.3613.630.991.221333937.21.314
NameTeamWPARE24pLIWPA/LISDMDGIPEff. Rate
Roberto Osuna Astros1.58.782.121.211943938.21.298
Emilio Pagán Rays0.876.41.341.241253537.11.275
Alex Colomé White Sox1.939.121.461.161823736.21.269
Brad Hand Indians1.6714.011.81.052234038.11.225
Yusmeiro Petit Athletics1.3812.871.121.161564751.21.208
Shane Greene Tigers1.298.391.851.0121334341.141
John Gant Cardinals1.846.321.32118540461.045
Adrian Sampson Rangers1.218.720.840.81619330.957
Ryan Yarbrough Rays0.483.340.870.91631141.20.932
Will Harris Astros0.438.071.20.898538330.909
NameTeamWPARE24pLIWPA/LISDMDGIPEff. Rate
Trevor Gott Giants0.463.390.80.89963437.10.898
Ken Giles Blue Jays1.198.781.840.7614231310.87
Chris Martin Rangers1.478.311.480.81443636.10.864
Steve Cishek Cubs0.587.161.50.81574240.10.834
Andrew Chafin Diamondbacks1.88.581.10.781124632.10.832
Tommy Milone Mariners0.627.30.910.7141630.10.831
Jarlin García Marlins0.744.550.460.78402327.10.809
Ty Buttrey Angels0.499.391.60.7419643440.805
Sam Dyson Giants0.954.3710.7520342440.79
Hansel Robles Angels1.087.071.280.731454342.20.765
NameTeamWPARE24pLIWPA/LISDMDGIPEff. Rate
Adrian Houser Brewers0.717.741.10.69521425.20.756
Aaron Bummer White Sox1.598.671.350.671342934.10.749
Aroldis Chapman Yankees0.6910.41.850.661543835.20.746
Jared Hughes Reds0.156.040.920.739736370.739
Amir Garrett Reds1.5610.011.390.6518542370.734
Julio Urías Dodgers0.768.511.010.66731630.20.73
Yimi Garcia Dodgers-0.452.110.620.73263535.10.723
Javy Guerra - - -0.12.480.550.726528350.723
Tyler Clippard Indians0.423.830.610.68742526.10.698
Tommy Kahnle Yankees0.965.051.050.661554336.10.693
NameTeamWPARE24pLIWPA/LISDMDGIPEff. Rate
Pedro Báez Dodgers0.214.491.360.661994341.20.685
Zack Britton Yankees1.058.551.560.592144138.10.683
Jordan Hicks Cardinals0.023.231.570.651242928.20.682
Greg Holland Diamondbacks0.564.281.980.6316533310.676
Austin Adams - - -0.546.351.140.6722022.20.672
Ryne Harper Twins0.172.260.950.651394138.20.656
Yoan López Diamondbacks-0.186.391.120.6410741350.653
Nick Wittgren Indians1.588.141.140.581233133.20.651
Felipe Vázquez Pirates2.5810.321.860.52033639.10.625

Here's how the top-36 based on average rank shape up so far:

NameAvg. RankHighLowR 5/5R 5/12R 5/19R 5/26R 6/2R 6/9R 6/16R 6/23R 6/30R 7/7R 7/14
Roberto Osuna 4.731141112125148611
Ryan Pressly 4.821133321311513129
John Gant 7.09217223326612121317
Josh Hader 7.55119191812108531115
Brad Hand 8.1821579797422151414
Kirby Yates 9.3632828231945346443
Shane Greene 10.73417544151112121391716
Brandon Workman 11.64625136251713871010118
Emilio Pagán 13.78620  15146112015161512
Trevor Gott 13.91424411671291523212421
Will Smith 15.914575736241297104556
Alex Colomé 164464631171141314117913
NameAvg. RankHighLowR 5/5R 5/12R 5/19R 5/26R 6/2R 6/9R 6/16R 6/23R 6/30R 7/7R 7/14
Scott Oberg 16.1813933323929141097221
Brandon Kintzler 16.73541175413923161196710
Will Harris 1811252022111318251917141920
Ken Giles 18.4513232313131821181618202122
Adrian Sampson 20830183027817191721232218
Yusmeiro Petit 22.0915393927182019172825191615
Liam Hendriks 24.09283834551381014133332
Greg Holland 27.82644637363225201824224244
Giovanny Gallegos 28.827844984445427158811107
Sam Dyson 28.9118463534222346302727271829
Ty Buttrey 29.82846452982815213846343628
Amir Garrett 30.3621392139282234272537363035
NameAvg. RankHighLowR 5/5R 5/12R 5/19R 5/26R 6/2R 6/9R 6/16R 6/23R 6/30R 7/7R 7/14
Tyler Clippard 312339         2339
Jarlin García 322737         3727
Jalen Beeks 3212501219203636232147414750
Aaron Bummer 32.52837       33372832
Tommy Milone 332640         4026
Adrian Houser 332750      5028292731
Aroldis Chapman 33.2722606054333124222222244133
Taylor Rogers 34.1846955695548443324191784
Pedro Báez 35.2720472640404739433235252041
Shawn Kelley 35.45873108145028363439407358
Yoan López 35.7316621662614635312616183547
Nick Wittgren 35.8216484817161645403636484448

Matt Selz worked diligently to get all relievers listed, not just the qualified ones to provide a more accurate portrayal of bullpens and performance. Here’s a recap of the top five relievers as of the latest ranks:

  1. Scott Oberg , Colorado - Oberg ranks second among National League relievers with a 1.18 ERA despite his attachment to Coors Field with a baseball proven to travel further this season. He’s also won five games with three saves and eight holds. Oberg’s not allowed an earned run since June 10th with nine straight scoreless innings spanning seven contests. Yes, he’s conceded the closer role to Wade Davis , but Oberg holds more value for his team as the effector than the closer. 

  2. Liam Hendriks , Oakland - In case you missed last week’s Behind the Breakout on Hendriks, you can access it here (https://www.fantasyalarm.com/articles/gjewett/72119/behind-the-breakout-liam-hendriks/). Since Blake Treinen landed on the injured list on June 21st, Hendriks has recorded six saves while reeling off 18 straight scoreless innings which remains active. He owns the lowest reliever ERA (0.92) in baseball and not been scored upon in 30 of his last 32 appearances (0.73 ERA). 

  3. Kirby Yates , San Diego - No surprise here, Yates has been nails all season long anchoring the Padres bullpen converting 30 of 32 save chances. He’s working on an eight inning scoreless streak. Plus, Yates limits damage to both sides of the plate with a .187 batting average against by left-handed hitters and a .149 average yielded versus right-handed batters. Although Yates seems on his way to a career year, his team could deal him with his value never being higher. If this happens, be sure to keep tabs on Andres Munoz. He’s the next big thing in this bullpen. 

  4. Taylor Rogers , Minnesota - Not only has Rogers recorded five saves pitching at least two innings, he’s converted nine of his last 10 save opportunities. Surging to a 1.67 ERA with a robust 55:7 K:BB through 42.2 innings, he’s vastly underrated in fantasy circles. 

  5. Josh Hader , Milwaukee - Fun statistic, Hader’s allowed all 12 runs against on nine home runs. He’s only given up eight other hits this season. Everyone knows Hader can rack up strikeouts with 82 over 45 innings to this point, but will his back hold up? Not just from injury issues, but from carrying the Brewers bullpen on it. 

When thinking of the preseason list of closers take according to average draft position, the list above does not resemble it at all. It’s so important to identify potential breakout relievers or get them off of waivers before they cost full retail in precious FAAB money. It’s going to be interesting to see if the Giants can parlay their recent success into more talent if they do sell before the deadline:

 

 

There are numerous teams in the hunt for a closer or much needed high leverage impact, just check the team rankings. Will Smith represents one of the best options on the market as a pending free agent. He’s 24-for-25 in save chances this year and 38-for-42 (90.4 percent conversion rate) since taking over as closer June 29th of last year.

TeamAvg. RankHigh RankLow RankR 5/12R 5/19R 5/26R 6/2R 6/9R 6/16R 6/23R 6/30R 7/7R 7/14
Giants1.7132111223311
Astros3.5151252335554
Rays4.8299534566442
Red Sox5.941156411654666
Cardinals61191019217112233
Rockies6.71252541334411210
Brewers9.9317123175121197914
Indians9.971677891412111687
Yankees10.861681666101012121315
Athletics11.6523623112191313875
TeamAvg. RankHigh RankLow RankR 5/12R 5/19R 5/26R 6/2R 6/9R 6/16R 6/23R 6/30R 7/7R 7/14
Reds12718181310151177111513
White Sox13.87252425719788141412
Twins13.8819191116818181810128
Blue Jays14.24194121913131414181718
Diamondbacks15.19282892310151616131011
Royals15.68291429927891091625
Padres16.97231510147191920212321
Dodgers17.39281728152816151915119
Cubs17.4112211142218201717171919
Braves19.6142421212014242221191816
TeamAvg. RankHigh RankLow RankR 5/12R 5/19R 5/26R 6/2R 6/9R 6/16R 6/23R 6/30R 7/7R 7/14
Angels19.9326382116262625252623
Mariners20.3152422242422172115202117
Pirates22.5162916181820292724222526
Rangers23.1202823272825212022232022
Phillies24.1122826152712282527272727
Mets24.7122929171224222829282929
Nationals25.3203027302530232426262220
Marlins25.6233030262926272323242424
Tigers25.9133013203023303028292828
Orioles27.1203020222629252930303030

Many will track how the progress of Nathan Eovaldi goes with him heading to Pawtucket to start his rehab assignment to prepare to finish the season as Boston’s closer. It’s funny, since Brandon Workman notched his fourth save on Monday night and owns a 0.90 ERA his last 20 innings dating back to May 26th. By the way, Workman ranks eighth on the latest list. He also leads all relievers in wins (8), opponents batting average (.102), slugging percentage allowed (.161) and on-base plus slugging percentage yielded (.418). If Eovaldi struggles with health or the transition to the bullpen, be sure Workman remains on rosters if there’s room. 

It’s apparent the Royals will open for business dealing Homer Bailey to Oakland already and Ian Kennedy could be a valued asset as the trade deadline nears. Kennedy’s recorded the save in 12 of his last 13 chances with a 1.76 ERA and 0.92 WHIP since May 30th covering his last 15.1 innings. Not sure if Scott Barlow will get a chance to close for the Royals or if Richard Lovelady gets another shot at high leverage, so stay tuned.

Many more pieces will fall into place to study up on the reliever metrics and the team rankings when deciding who to stash. Not many people talk about Giovanny Gallegos , but he ranks seventh in the latest list and leads National League relievers in strikeouts to walks ratio (8.57), fourth in strikeout percentage (37.7) along with fifth in strikeouts (60) this season. Those looking to ratio help in deep leagues should give him a look. 

Some stash candidates include, but are not limited to: Aaron Bummer of the White Sox, Oliver Drake of Tampa Bay, Justin Shafer of the Blue Jays and Yoan López of the Diamondbacks. 

Be sure to stay with Fantasy Alarm to remain ahead of the competition as the trade deadline nears. 

Statistical Credits:

Fangraphs.com

MLB.com - Game Notes