Matthew Pouliot

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August Relief Pitcher Rankings

Wednesday, August 03, 2011


Up this week are the August 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 August rankings:
Top 250 | SP | RP | OF | 1B | 2B | SS | 3B | C | DH

Relief Pitcher Rankings

Falling off: Jonathan Broxton (No. 43), Luke Gregerson (No. 46), Hong-Chih Kuo (No. 49), Eduardo Sanchez (No. 53), Mike MacDougal (no. 59), Jason Frasor (No. 60), Darren Oliver (No. 61), David Aardsma (No. 62), Scott Linebrink (No. 66), Matt Guerrier (No. 67), Fernando Rodney (No. 69), Joaquin Benoit (No. 70)

  • Not one closer was traded in a deadline deal, so this list didn't get as jumbled as it usually does in the August rankings. K-Rod, who was sent to Milwaukee at the All-Star break, drops from No. 9 to No. 32 now that he's serving as Axford's setup man.

  • The velocity isn't quite there for Lidge, but the results haven't been too shabby through four appearances. I still think the closer's gig in Philly is going to belong to Madson the rest of the way, but I'm keeping Lidge in the top 40, just in case.

  • Isringhausen comes in at No. 28 for now, but there's the chance the Mets will turn to Parnell in closing situations once Izzy gets the two additional saves he needs for 300 in his career. The only problem there is that Parnell has struggled since the K-Rod trade: he has a 6.75 ERA since the All-Star break.


    • RankRelief pitcherTeamAprMayJunJul
    1 Mariano Rivera Yankees 2 1 1 1
    2 Heath Bell Padres 5 7 3 3
    3 Brian Wilson Giants 4 2 2 2
    4 Jonathan Papelbon Red Sox 7 3 4 4
    5 Craig Kimbrel Braves 30 11 8 7
    6 Carlos Marmol Cubs 6 6 6 5
    7 Andrew Bailey Athletics 14 14 9 8
    8 Jose Valverde Tigers 13 12 13 12
    9 Neftali Feliz Rangers 1 4 5 6
    10 John Axford Brewers 12 15 14 13
    11 Chris Perez Indians 10 9 11 11
    12 Joel Hanrahan Pirates 27 20 19 17
    13 Francisco Cordero Reds 15 13 10 10
    14 Joakim Soria Royals 3 5 22 18
    15 Drew Storen Nationals 25 21 15 14
    16 Huston Street Rockies 18 10 16 15
    17 J.J. Putz Diamondbacks 17 16 12 16
    18 Leo Nunez Marlins 19 17 17 19
    19 Sergio Santos White Sox 91 35 18 20
    20 Brandon League Mariners 41 37 26 21
    21 Jordan Walden Angels 50 24 23 24
    22 Fernando Salas Cardinals 184 58 25 27
    23 Joe Nathan Twins 16 36 45 54
    24 Ryan Madson Phillies 36 30 21 23
    25 Kyle Farnsworth Rays 26 23 20 22
    26 Javy Guerra Dodgers NR NR NR NR
    27 Kevin Gregg Orioles 33 26 24 25
    28 Jason Isringhausen Mets 335 NR NR NR
    29 Jon Rauch Blue Jays 28 29 31 37
    30 Mark Melancon Astros 47 50 28 28
    31 Jonny Venters Braves 22 33 30 31
    32 Francisco Rodriguez Brewers 8 8 7 9
    33 Tyler Clippard Nationals 48 46 32 34
    34 Daniel Bard Red Sox 35 41 36 35
    35 Scott Downs Angels 52 68 40 32
    36 Mike Adams Rangers 31 34 29 30
    37 Aroldis Chapman Reds 42 39 50 58
    38 Brad Lidge Phillies 24 32 39 40
    39 Antonio Bastardo Phillies 193 NR NR 33
    40 David Robertson Yankees 133 NR NR 41
    41 Frank Francisco Blue Jays 37 31 34 29
    42 Sergio Romo Giants 56 56 43 39
    43 Sean Marshall Cubs 57 51 46 42
    44 Chris Sale White Sox 46 48 67 68
    45 Eric O'Flaherty Braves 127 NR NR 48
    46 Bobby Parnell Mets 66 NR NR NR
    47 Koji Uehara Rangers 29 44 37 36
    48 Matt Thornton White Sox 11 28 64 57
    49 Grant Balfour Athletics 89 NR 69 63
    50 Jesse Crain White Sox 62 65 NR 44
    51 Jason Motte Cardinals 43 45 54 56
    52 Rich Thompson Angels 80 70 68 55
    53 Matt Lindstrom Rockies 98 57 48 51
    54 Glen Perkins Twins 227 SP NR NR NR
    55 Josh Spence Padres NR NR NR NR
    56 Kenley Jansen Dodgers 44 53 56 38
    57 David Hernandez Diamondbacks 61 60 61 64
    58 Aaron Crow Royals 319 SP NR 33 45
    59 Matt Albers Red Sox 315 NR NR NR
    60 Marc Rzepczynski Cardinals 139 SP NR NR NR
    61 Ernesto Frieri Padres 59 49 44 52
    62 Lance Lynn Cardinals 190 SP NR NR NR
    63 Octavio Dotel Cardinals 69 NR NR NR
    64 Edward Mujica Marlins 104 NR NR NR
    65 Brad Ziegler Diamondbacks 124 59 65 65
    66 Greg Holland Royals 322 NR NR NR
    67 Jose Veras Pirates 112 NR NR 50
    68 Rex Brothers Rockies 405 NR NR NR
    69 Matt Capps Twins 45 27 27 26
    70 Jake McGee Rays 38 NR 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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