Matthew Pouliot

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July Relief Pitcher Rankings

Monday, July 04, 2011


Up this week are the July rankings. Players are ranked based on how I believe they will perform in 5x5 leagues over the remainder of the season. Along with the position rankings, you'll find a fully updated top 250 list.

Click to see other July rankings:
Top 250 | SP | RP | OF | 1B | 2B | SS | 3B | C | DH

Relief Pitcher Rankings

Falling off: Vicente Padilla (No. 35), Brandon Lyon (No. 47), Jose Contreras (No. 51), Brian Fuentes (No. 52), Evan Meek (No. 57), Rubby De La Rosa (No. 59), Rafael Betancourt (No. 62), Joba Chamberlain (No. 63), Mitchell Boggs (No. 66)

  • 29 different teams are represented in the first 29 spots here, but the first Dodger doesn't appear until No. 38. I'm going with Jansen over the injured Broxton as the top Dodger on the list. He's throwing well since coming off the DL, and he has the stuff to run away with the closer gig should manager Don Mattingly let him. Mattingly, though, still hasn't grown comfortable with the converted catcher. For that reason, Kuo, MacDougal and Guerrier all appear in the top 70. Javy Guerra was also considered for a spot.

  • Broxton would have been ranked over Jansen if not for this week's setback. My guess is that he won't make it back to contribute in the second half, but given his upside, he was still worthy of a spot.

  • I still feel pretty confident ranking Bell third. While he probably wouldn't be quite so valuable outside of Petco Park, it seems unlikely that he'll be traded to a team that wouldn't use him a closer. Adams would likely take over as San Diego's closer if Bell is traded, though he is another candidate to be dealt.

  • It doesn't appear that blowing three straight save chances is going to get Walden replaced in Anaheim, but I have moved Downs up just in case. Downs has been plenty valuable in his setup role anyway, as he's picked up five victories already this season.

  • With Madson on the DL because of a hand injury, Bastardo is clear favorite for saves in Philadelphia right now. I kept Lidge right where he was last month. I'm not ruling him out as a potential source of saves over the final two months, but I think it's going to remain Madson's job.


    • RankRelief pitcherTeam2011MayJun
    1 Mariano Rivera Yankees 2 1 1
    2 Brian Wilson Giants 4 2 2
    3 Heath Bell Padres 5 7 3
    4 Jonathan Papelbon Red Sox 7 3 4
    5 Carlos Marmol Cubs 6 6 6
    6 Neftali Feliz Rangers 1 4 5
    7 Craig Kimbrel Braves 30 11 8
    8 Andrew Bailey Athletics 14 14 9
    9 Francisco Rodriguez Mets 8 8 7
    10 Francisco Cordero Reds 15 13 10
    11 Chris Perez Indians 10 9 11
    12 Jose Valverde Tigers 13 12 13
    13 John Axford Brewers 12 15 14
    14 Drew Storen Nationals 25 21 15
    15 Huston Street Rockies 18 10 16
    16 J.J. Putz Diamondbacks 17 16 12
    17 Joel Hanrahan Pirates 27 20 19
    18 Joakim Soria Royals 3 5 22
    19 Leo Nunez Marlins 19 17 17
    20 Sergio Santos White Sox 91 35 18
    21 Brandon League Mariners 41 37 26
    22 Kyle Farnsworth Rays 26 23 20
    23 Ryan Madson Phillies 36 30 21
    24 Jordan Walden Angels 50 24 23
    25 Kevin Gregg Orioles 33 26 24
    26 Matt Capps Twins 45 27 27
    27 Fernando Salas Cardinals 184 58 25
    28 Mark Melancon Astros 47 50 28
    29 Frank Francisco Blue Jays 37 31 34
    30 Mike Adams Padres 31 34 29
    31 Jonny Venters Braves 22 33 30
    32 Scott Downs Angels 52 68 40
    33 Antonio Bastardo Phillies 193 NR NR
    34 Tyler Clippard Nationals 48 46 32
    35 Daniel Bard Red Sox 35 41 36
    36 Koji Uehara Orioles 29 44 37
    37 Jon Rauch Blue Jays 28 29 31
    38 Kenley Jansen Dodgers 44 53 56
    39 Sergio Romo Giants 56 56 43
    40 Brad Lidge Phillies 24 32 39
    41 David Robertson Yankees 133 NR NR
    42 Sean Marshall Cubs 57 51 46
    43 Jonathan Broxton Dodgers 9 18 41
    44 Jesse Crain White Sox 62 65 NR
    45 Aaron Crow Royals 319 SP NR 33
    46 Luke Gregerson Padres 34 38 38
    47 Cory Luebke Padres 154 SP NR NR
    48 Eric O'Flaherty Braves 127 NR NR
    49 Hong-Chih Kuo Dodgers 54 40 49
    50 Jose Veras Pirates 112 NR NR
    51 Matt Lindstrom Rockies 98 57 48
    52 Ernesto Frieri Padres 59 49 44
    53 Eduardo Sanchez Cardinals 312 63 42
    54 Joe Nathan Twins 16 36 45
    55 Rich Thompson Angels 80 70 68
    56 Jason Motte Cardinals 43 45 54
    57 Matt Thornton White Sox 11 28 64
    58 Aroldis Chapman Reds 42 39 50
    59 Mike MacDougal Dodgers 351 NR NR
    60 Jason Frasor Blue Jays 72 67 58
    61 Darren Oliver Rangers 81 55 55
    62 David Aardsma Mariners 23 22 60
    63 Grant Balfour Athletics 89 NR 69
    64 David Hernandez Diamondbacks 61 60 61
    65 Brad Ziegler Athletics 124 59 65
    66 Scott Linebrink Braves 86 NR NR
    67 Matt Guerrier Dodgers 82 NR 70
    68 Chris Sale White Sox 46 48 67
    69 Fernando Rodney Angels 40 52 53
    70 Joaquin Benoit Tigers 53 NR NR


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    Matthew Pouliot is the Executive Editor of RotoWorld.com and has been doing the site's baseball projections for the last 10 years. Follow him on Twitter at matthewpouliot.
    Email :Matthew Pouliot

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