SPORT FANATICS FANTASY BASEBALL

 

Fantasy Baseball

FB Home   Player Rankings/Cheat Sheets   Projections   Depth Charts   Probable Pitchers   Injuries   Sleepers/Busts   Prospects  

Articles/Columnists/Blogs   Forums   Podcasts   Mock Drafts   Average Draft Position   Academia   Books & Pay Sites   Leagues

 

Major League Baseball

MLB Home   Headline News   Teams   Scores   Schedules   Standings   Statistics   Players   Transactions   Rumors

Video Highlights   Salaries   Calendar   Ballparks   Attendance   MLB Draft   Hot Stove

History of MLB   World Series   Hall of Fame   All-Star Game   Awards   Historical Statistics

  

Minor League Baseball

MiLB Home   News/Blogs   TV/Audio   Teams/Rosters   Scores   Schedules   Standings   Statistics   Awards   History

 

 

SPORT FANATICS FANTASY BASEBALL PLAYER RANKINGS : RELIEF PITCHERS

 

The rankings are based on projected statistics for the 2010 season. The player rankings were determined for a typical 5 X 5 rotisserie league by using wins, saves, ERA, WHIP and strikeouts for pitchers.

 

RANKINGS:    C     1B     2B     SS     3B     OF     OF2     DH     SP     SP2     RP     RP2

 

POS RANK TIER RANK PLAYER MLB LINK LG TEAM POS AGE FP 2010 W 2010 S 2010 K 2010 ERA 2010 WHIP COMMENTS
1 3 Jonathan Papelbon MLB AL BOS RP 29.4 92.62 3 42 65 2.66 1.05 A top fantasy closer, definitely one of the elite closers who provides consistency in all relief pitching categories.
2 3 Mariano Rivera MLB AL NYY RP 40.4 91.94 4 40 60 2.75 1.04 Will now be over 40 when the season begins, but still is a top closer. Pick him as one of your top three relief pitchers and let someone else worry about where they are getting 40 saves.
3 3 Jonathan Broxton MLB NL LAD RP 25.8 91.16 4 37 84 2.85 1.11 Top strikeout closer in the game puts him in the top tier of closers. 
4 3 Joakim Soria MLB AL KC RP 25.9 88.98 4 37 68 2.62 1.06 Excellent closer with great stuff, is the top of the class in the second tier of very good closers.
5 4 Francisco Rodriguez MLB NL NYM RP 28.2 81.52 3 41 71 3.60 1.34 Not as dominating as past years, but he keeps racking up those saves by being a good pitcher, not just a hard thrower.
6 4 Heath Bell MLB NL SD RP 32.5 80.65 4 33 71 3.20 1.19 First year as a closer was outstanding with SD. If he stays in SD (lots of trade rumors), he is a top 7 closer playing in a very friendly pitcher's park.
7 4 Andrew Bailey MLB AL OAK RP 25.9 78.95 4 32 67 3.15 1.17 Won rookie of the year honors last season, looks to improve on a stellar rookie campaign.
8 4 Jose Valverde MLB AL DET RP 30.7 78.64 4 34 71 3.51 1.23 Missed time with leg injuries in 2009, looks fine for the 2010 season.
9 4 Carlos Marmol MLB NL CHC RP 27.5 77.04 3 34 81 3.42 1.31 Has electric stuff, but must battle control problems to be a top 12 fantasy closer. 
10 4 Billy Wagner MLB NL ATL RP 38.7 75.62 3 30 75 3.02 1.08 Back to being a closer, after a few years away from that role. He was very good prior to injuries and now seems healthy again and is thus deserving of a top 12 closer ranking.
11 4 Rafael Soriano MLB AL TB RP 30.3 75.48 4 33 61 3.44 1.13 Appears willing and able to take over the TB closer job. Will have plenty of bullpen help to be successful, the problem is if he falters, the TB is deep and talented.
12 4 Chad Qualls MLB NL ARI RP 31.6 75.18 3 35 55 3.51 1.20 Suffered a dislocated kneecap and torn ligament in August 2009. Looks to be ready for the start of season.
13 4 Brian Wilson MLB NL SF RP 28.1 73.92 3 36 63 3.52 1.29  
14 4 Francisco Cordero MLB NL CIN RP 34.9 73.87 3 35 65 3.46 1.31  
15 5 Bobby Jenks MLB AL CHW RP 29.1 71.95 4 33 50 3.42 1.21 Had a calf injury towards the end of the year, which opened the door for Thornton. Is the opening day closer, but he won't have much room for error. 
16 5 David Aardsma MLB AL SEA RP 28.3 71.37 4 35 67 3.96 1.36  
17 5 Trevor Hoffman MLB NL MIL RP 42.5 69.82 3 35 41 3.53 1.16 Back for another year as the MIL closer.
18 5 Matt Capps MLB NL WAS RP 26.6 67.50 4 28 53 3.73 1.19  
19 5 Frank Francisco MLB AL TEX RP 30.6 67.24 3 30 63 3.56 1.21 Was on and off the disabled list a few times in 2009 with minor shoulder injuries and pneumonia. With Wilson moving to the starting rotation, Francisco will have the closer job all to himself.
20 5 Brian Fuentes MLB AL ANA RP 34.7 66.74 3 34 54 3.87 1.33  
21 5 Jason Frasor MLB AL TOR RP 32.7 66.66 4 28 60 3.64 1.22 Beat out Gregg and Downs and will start the season as the TOR closer. 
22 5 Ryan Franklin MLB NL STL RP 37.1 66.36 4 33 40 3.74 1.35  
23 5 Octavio Dotel MLB NL PIT RP 36.4 66.34 3 28 74 3.71 1.29  
24 5 Mike Gonzalez MLB AL BAL RP 31.9 65.67 3 30 60 3.68 1.29  
25 5 Jon Rauch MLB AL MIN RP 31.5 64.83 5 28 48 3.95 1.25 With the injury to Joe Nathan, Rauch has been given the first opportunity to be the MIN closer in 2010. 
26 6 Leo Nunez MLB NL FLA RP 26.6 62.73 4 27 52 3.81 1.28 Not a real strong hold on the closer job, but for now he looks to enter the season as the closer.
27 6 Huston Street MLB NL COL RP 26.7 62.39 3 26 51 3.31 1.11 Even though he pitches in a hitter's park, he keeps the ball down, rarely walks people and thus is one of the top 10 fantasy closers when healthy. Will begin the season on the DL with shoulder problems, not expected to miss more than 3-4 weeks.
28 6 Brad Lidge MLB NL PHI RP 33.3 57.84 3 30 57 4.21 1.41 In November had surgery on his hip which was causing him problems throughout 2009. Is expected to miss the first few weeks of the season with knee and elbow issues.
29 6 Matt Lindstrom MLB NL HOU RP 30.2 57.45 3 27 53 3.90 1.35 Will begin the 2010 season as HOU closer. Lyon is a capable replacement, so Lindstrom has to do well in the closer role to keep the job.
30 7 Kerry Wood MLB AL CLE RP 32.8 53.82 3 23 58 3.87 1.30 Still has a very good K ratio, but ERA is not that good for a closer. Has shoulder strain and is expected to miss the first 4-6 weeks of the season.
31 8 Chris Perez MLB AL CLE RP 24.8 45.10 3 12 70 3.87 1.27 With injury to K.Wood, Perez will be the closer for the first 4-6 weeks of the season.  If he pitches well then he may maintain the closer role.
32 8 Matt Thornton MLB AL CHW RP 33.6 43.21 5 5 68 3.27 1.18  
33 8 Ryan Madson MLB NL PHI RP 29.6 42.90 4 8 59 3.35 1.23 Will begin season as the PHI closer as Lidge is on the DL. 
34 8 Kevin Gregg MLB AL TOR RP 31.8 42.04 5 8 69 3.96 1.29  
35 8 J.P. Howell MLB AL TB RP 27.0 40.37 5 7 63 3.59 1.27  
36 8 Kris Medlen MLB NL ATL RP 24.5 39.92 5 0 83 3.75 1.28  
37 8 Matt Guerrier MLB AL MIN RP 31.7 37.48 4 8 44 3.88 1.26  
38 8 Brandon Lyon MLB NL HOU RP 30.7 37.42 4 9 50 3.67 1.30 Had cyst drained from his shoulder in late January, looks like he will begin the season as HOU setup man.
39 8 Michael Wuertz MLB AL OAK RP 31.3 37.29 4 3 70 3.43 1.21  
40 8 Sergio Romo MLB NL SF RP 27.1 37.18 5 1 61 3.26 1.13  
41 8 Brandon League MLB AL SEA RP 27.1 36.98 5 2 60 3.41 1.25  
42 8 George Sherrill MLB NL LAD RP 33.0 35.63 3 3 62 3.31 1.23  
43 8 Luke Gregerson MLB NL SD RP 25.9 34.57 4 1 68 3.37 1.24  
44 8 Takashi Saito MLB NL ATL RP 40.2 34.01 3 5 59 3.31 1.28  
45 8 Alfredo Aceves MLB AL NYY RP 27.3 33.95 5 0 54 3.91 1.20  
46 8 Daniel Bard MLB AL BOS RP 24.8 33.23 4 3 66 3.29 1.30 If Papelbon is traded or injured, this hard thrower has the stuff and makeup to be a good closer.
47 8 Mike Adams MLB NL SD RP 31.7 33.12 3 1 58 3.18 1.17  
48 9 Rafael Betancourt MLB NL COL RP 34.9 32.90 4 2 60 3.62 1.24  
49 9 Joel Hanrahan MLB NL PIT RP 28.5 32.27 3 8 66 4.27 1.43  
50 9 Neftali Feliz MLB AL TEX RP 21.9 31.94 4 3 68 3.98 1.34 Elite prospect that finished the 2009 season in TEX bullpen. Has ace starting pitcher potential, but will be a reliever in 2010. 
51 9 Koji Uehara MLB AL BAL RP 35.0 31.41 4 4 50 4.07 1.26  
52 9 Jason Motte MLB NL STL RP 27.8 31.38 4 3 68 3.95 1.34 Has the stuff to be a closer, watch how Franklin performs in 2010.
53 9 Brad Ziegler MLB AL OAK RP 30.5 30.99 4 2 45 3.24 1.30  
54 9 Peter Moylan MLB NL ATL RP 31.3 30.93 5 1 52 3.46 1.31  
55 9 Scott Downs MLB AL TOR RP 34.1 30.87 3 3 54 3.44 1.30  
56 9 Fernando Rodney MLB AL ANA RP 33.1 30.86 3 10 57 4.34 1.45  
57 9 Franklin Morales MLB NL COL RP 24.2 30.21 4 10 57 4.57 1.51 Will be the closer while Street is on DL for the first 3-4 weeks of the season.
58 10 Kyle McClellan MLB NL STL RP 25.8 29.06 4 2 52 3.86 1.34  
59 10 Tyler Clippard MLB NL WAS RP 25.1 28.92 4 1 67 4.24 1.36  
60 10 Pat Neshek MLB AL MIN RP 29.6 28.84 4 0 51 3.46 1.18 Returning from Tommy John elbow surgery in late 2008, missed a lot of the past two seasons. Was electric prior to arm problems, should be ready by start of the season.
61 10 Shawn Kelley MLB AL SEA RP 25.9 28.78 5 0 53 3.96 1.26  
62 10 Hideki Okajima MLB AL BOS RP 34.3 28.35 4 1 50 3.66 1.26  
63 10 LaTroy Hawkins MLB NL MIL RP 37.3 28.18 3 3 40 3.61 1.25  
64 10 Scott Elbert MLB NL LAD RP 24.6 28.08 4 0 75 4.13 1.37  
65 10 Dan Wheeler MLB AL TB RP 32.3 27.77 4 1 46 3.96 1.21  
66 10 Manny Corpas MLB NL COL RP 27.3 27.45 4 2 45 3.75 1.30  
67 10 David Robertson MLB AL NYY RP 25.0 27.42 3 1 63 3.68 1.30  
68 10 Phil Coke MLB AL DET RP 27.7 27.27 4 0 64 4.33 1.34  
69 10 Hong-Chih Kuo MLB NL LAD RP 28.7 27.22 3 0 50 3.08 1.17  
70 10 Darren O'Day MLB AL TEX RP 27.5 27.14 4 0 49 3.67 1.27  
71 10 Grant Balfour MLB AL TB RP 32.3 27.12 4 2 56 3.78 1.31  
72 10 Josh Lindblom MLB NL LAD RP 22.8 26.94 4 0 51 4.08 1.28  
73 10 Daniel Hudson MLB AL CHW RP 23.1 26.69 4 0 71 4.52 1.39  
74 10 Jason Bulger MLB AL ANA RP 31.3 26.57 4 1 66 3.91 1.38  
75 10 Nick Masset MLB NL CIN RP 27.9 26.45 4 0 54 3.85 1.32  
76 10 Samuel Gervacio MLB NL HOU RP 25.2 25.94 3 0 65 3.90 1.33  
77 10 Jeremy Affeldt MLB NL SF RP 30.8 25.82 3 2 51 3.47 1.32  
78 10 Kiko Calero MLB NL NYM RP 35.2 25.77 3 1 63 3.81 1.34  
79 10 Juan Gutierrez MLB NL ARI RP 26.7 25.60 4 3 51 4.13 1.39  
80 10 Darren Oliver MLB AL TEX RP 39.5 25.43 3 0 48 3.73 1.29  
81 10 Joe Thatcher MLB NL SD RP 28.5 25.41 3 0 54 3.53 1.27  
82 10 Joey Devine MLB AL OAK RP 26.5 25.40 4 1 43 3.25 1.25 Was going to be the closer in 2009, but was out for the 2009 season because of Tommy John surgery. It looks like he will be ready for the 2010 season.
83 10 Aaron Heilman MLB NL ARI RP 31.4 25.12 4 0 62 4.14 1.36  
84 10 Brian Bruney MLB NL WAS RP 28.1 24.84 3 4 59 4.08 1.43  
85 10 Bob Howry MLB NL ARI RP 36.7 24.83 3 1 49 4.17 1.31  
86 10 Mark Lowe MLB AL SEA RP 26.8 24.82 3 2 55 3.94 1.36  
87 10 Edward Mujica MLB NL SD RP 25.9 24.63 3 0 58 4.27 1.32  
88 10 Tony Pena MLB AL CHW RP 28.2 24.55 4 0 48 4.01 1.29  
89 10 Scot Shields MLB AL ANA RP 34.7 24.46 4 0 55 3.99 1.36  
90 10 Ryota Igarashi MLB NL NYM RP 30.9 24.22 3 2 52 4.09 1.35  
91 10 Ronald Belisario MLB NL LAD RP 27.3 24.22 5 0 52 3.77 1.40  
92 10 Ramon Troncoso MLB NL LAD RP 27.1 24.14 4 1 46 3.86 1.39  
93 10 John Grabow MLB NL CHC RP 31.4 24.12 3 4 48 3.99 1.40  
94 10 Clay Zavada MLB NL ARI RP 25.8 24.12 3 2 49 3.88 1.36  
95 10 Craig Breslow MLB AL OAK RP 29.7 24.11 3 0 48 3.77 1.30  
96 10 Jesse Carlson MLB AL TOR RP 29.3 24.08 3 0 54 4.16 1.31  
97 10 Jose Mijares MLB AL MIN RP 25.4 23.99 3 2 48 3.82 1.33 If Rauch fails as the MIN closer, look to Mijares (not Guerrier) to be the first internal closer candidate.
98 10 Pedro Feliciano MLB NL NYM RP 33.6 23.96 3 1 50 3.67 1.32  
99 10 Arthur Rhodes MLB NL CIN RP 40.4 23.87 3 3 44 3.65 1.32  
100 10 Trever Miller MLB NL STL RP 36.9 23.79 3 2 49 3.84 1.31  
101 10 Kameron Mickolio MLB AL BAL RP 25.9 23.77 4 1 52 4.05 1.36  
102 10 Kevin Jepsen MLB AL ANA RP 25.7 23.47 4 2 56 4.17 1.43  
103 10 Jeff Weaver MLB NL LAD RP 33.6 23.36 5 0 57 4.52 1.40  
104 10 Brad Kilby MLB AL OAK RP 27.1 23.26 3 0 49 3.87 1.26  
105 10 Chris Ray MLB AL TEX RP 28.2 23.20 5 1 55 4.51 1.43  
106 10 Jared Burton MLB NL CIN RP 28.8 23.09 3 0 49 3.87 1.34  
107 10 Tony Sipp MLB AL CLE RP 26.7 23.07 3 1 56 3.89 1.34  
108 10 Burke Badenhop MLB NL FLA RP 27.2 22.91 4 0 46 4.11 1.38  
109 10 Jim Johnson MLB AL BAL RP 26.8 22.90 3 4 41 4.16 1.41 Was the closer in 2009 after Sherrill was traded, will be setup man in 2010.
110 10 J.J. Putz MLB AL CHW RP 33.1 22.85 4 2 47 4.37 1.37  
111 10 Jerry Blevins MLB AL OAK RP 26.6 22.66 4 0 50 4.14 1.34  
112 10 Drew Storen MLB NL WAS RP 22.7 22.62 3 3 41 4.20 1.23 Very good closer prospect, but will probably have to wait until later this year or 2011.
113 10 Manny Delcarmen MLB AL BOS RP 28.1 22.44 3 0 51 3.87 1.35  
114 10 Eric O'Flaherty MLB NL ATL RP 25.2 22.36 3 1 40 3.58 1.31  
115 10 Brendan Donnelly MLB NL PIT RP 38.8 22.31 3 1 46 4.08 1.32  
116 10 Ryan Perry MLB AL DET RP 23.1 22.22 3 1 59 4.08 1.41  
117 10 Evan Meek MLB NL PIT RP 26.9 22.02 2 3 53 4.12 1.45  
118 10 Matt Daley MLB NL COL RP 27.8 21.89 3 0 55 4.30 1.34  
119 10 Mitch Stetter MLB NL MIL RP 29.2 21.89 3 1 48 3.81 1.37  
120 10 Kelvim Escobar MLB NL NYM RP 34.0 21.82 3 1 44 3.58 1.30  
121 10 Dan Meyer MLB NL FLA RP 28.8 21.43 3 4 48 4.35 1.43  
122 10 Danys Baez MLB NL PHI RP 32.6 21.31 4 1 36 4.18 1.32  
123 10 Jason Bergmann MLB NL WAS RP 28.5 21.23 3 1 49 4.31 1.40  
124 10 Rafael Perez MLB AL CLE RP 28.1 21.19 4 0 48 4.15 1.37  
125 10 Jose Arredondo MLB NL CIN RP 26.0 20.96 4 0 52 3.91 1.42  

 

POS RANK: Sport Fanatics rank for the position you are viewing.

LG RANK: The ranking given to a particular player for the entire group of players that have projected 2010 statistics (1150 players). Please note the overall rank is strictly based on projected fantasy points, it does not consider position scarcity like the ADP or our Tier Rankings do. This is why with catchers and relief pitchers in particular, the overall rank may look significantly different than the ADP or suggested Tier Rankings.

TIER RANK: The tier rankings are based on projected statistics for the 2010 season. The tier rankings were determined for a typical 12 team, 5 X 5 rotisserie league by using batting average, runs, runs batted in, home runs and stolen bases for hitters and by using wins, saves, ERA, WHIP and strikeouts for pitchers. Note that these rankings may not coincide with our positional player rankings as position scarcity (Catchers, Closers), category specialties (SB & Saves) and multiple position eligibility (players who have played in more than 20 games at more than one position last season) may have players in tiers higher then their actual fantasy points generated rankings.

Tier 1 - Players that produce at and/or are typically drafted in round 1.

Tier 2 - Players that produce at and/or are typically drafted in rounds 2-3.

Tier 3 - Players that produce at and/or are typically drafted in rounds 4-6.

Tier 4 - Players that produce at and/or are typically drafted in rounds 7-10.

Tier 5 - Players that produce at and/or are typically drafted in rounds 11-15.

Tier 6 - Players that produce at and/or are typically drafted in rounds 16-20.

Tier 7 - Players that produce at and/or are typically drafted in rounds 21-25.

Tier 8 - Players that produce at and/or are typically drafted in rounds 25-30.

Tier 9 - Players that produce at and/or are typically drafted in rounds 30+.

Tier 10 - Players that produce at and/or are typically not drafted in any draft format.

MLB LINK: Is a hyperlink to the player's web page on MLB.com.

LG: AL=American League, NL=National League. "Z" means they are still an unsigned free agent.

POS: Lists positions that we believe they will play during the 2010 season. SP=Starting Pitcher, RP=Relief Pitcher

AGE: Is the age of the player as of April 1, 2010.

FANTASY POINTS: Formula derived by Sport Fanatics using the 5 scoring categories to determine player rankings. Also a good tool to use to compare value to other positions and determine tiers when there is a drop off in fantasy production for each position.

COMMENTS: Available for top players at each position, injury comments and playing time comments.

 

 

 

Contact Us

 

 Copyright © 2002-2011 Sport Fanatics Fantasy Sports.  All Rights Reserved. This site is intended for entertainment purposes only.

No part of this site may be reproduced, redistributed or retransmitted  in any way without written permission of the publisher.

Sport Fanatics Fantasy Sports is in no way affiliated with or endorsed by Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball.