2013 Fantasy Relief Pitcher Rankings

More than just a LOOGY, Marshall provides strong value in the late rounds. Via Getty Images

My modus operandi for fantasy leagues is usually to take hitters early (or the LIMA plan, minus the stud closer) and fill in my pitching ratios with middle relievers and starters that are rookies or bounce-back candidates. It is quite possible that we are in the midst of the golden age of relievers. Players like Kimbrel, Rodney, and Putz are providing not only saves, but also great ratios. With so many incredibly talented relievers available, the ERA and WHIP statistics must be reevaluated compared to past seasons. Consider it like a run environment adjustment, but for setup men. A reliever with a 3.50 ERA and 1.20 WHIP isn’t what it was even three years ago.

The biggest change is that it isn’t just closers who are elite pitchers anymore. In fact, there are several instances below where (what I perceive to be) the inferior pitcher is ranked ahead of his teammate, based solely on the fact that the closer will — by definition — accrue saves. There are also several players who will at least begin the season as a starter, namely Chapman, Ogando, Cashner, and Estrada.

For our previous rankings, you can find rankings for catchers, first base, second base, shortstop, third base, outfield 51-101, and outfield top 50. Per usual, these rankings reflect as 12-team, mixed, redraft league.

A Player to Grab: Sean Marshall
When it down to the discount dollar players at the end of your auction, or the last few rounds of your snake draft, there are few relievers that I trust more than Sean Marshall. Since 2008 (and setting a 200 IP minimum, for 40 innings/year), Marshall has the fifth most WAR and the 12th best ERA. His HR/9 over that time period is sixth best and both his K/BB and K/9 are in the top 25. He has managed to build all of this underlying value despite recording just 16 saves over that time frame. He is a closer masquerading as a setup man. His “struggles” last year against right-handed hitters was largely due to a .365 BABIP against them. His career BABIP against opposite handed hitters is .303, so expect Marshall to post much better than a .318 wOBA versus righties. Marshall is a model of consistency in the late rounds. What more could you ask for in the 25th round?

A Player to Pass: Fernando Rodney
On the opposite end of the reliability spectrum from Marshall we have Rodney. The 2012 season was a perfect storm of right-handed relief fury in Tampa Bay. Hurricane Rodney swept through and set career bests in terms of K%, innings pitched, BABIP, LOB%, BB%, HR/9, ERA, and FIP. So, yeah, it was pretty good season from Rodney. Expecting him to match 2013 with his unbelievable 2012 season would be naive at best. After all, Rodney was a top 15 player last year. Not a top 15 pitcher, a top 15 player. Mind blowing numbers. Regression is going to hit him pretty hard, and it will hit him sooner rather than later. I’m not doubting his stuff (doubting his health is another question however), it’s just that no one is a 0.60 ERA pitcher. Rodney should be a good player this season, but let other people pay for him being a good player last season. I have seen Rodney go as early as the seventh round, before closers like Papelbon and Rafael Soriano. I would much rather have those two over Rodney, and it isn’t particularly close. When health concerns, regression, and cost-to-risk factors are pondered, Rodney is a pretty easy pass for me.

6 Comments on "2013 Fantasy Relief Pitcher Rankings"

1. 

   jim February 20, 2013 at 2:58 pm - Reply

   ummm… you forget joel hanrahan?

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     David Wiers February 20, 2013 at 3:02 pm - Reply

     I was going to say “no, of course not! He is right in front of Grilli!” but alas, you are correct.

     And yes, I have him slotted right in front of Grilli and after Johnson. The rise in Hanrahan’s LOB% is due to a low BABIP and a high BB%. His SwStr% is still awesome, but the walks worry me.

2. 

   Todd Boss February 21, 2013 at 2:21 pm - Reply

   Why list Kris Medlen here?  You know he’s going to be a starter full time in 2013, just as he was for most of 2012.  

   • 

     David Wiers February 21, 2013 at 2:27 pm - Reply

     Medlen appeared in 50 games in 2012, only 11 were starts. He did throw more innings as a starter however, so I’ll give you credit on that.

     I have him ranked here for the same reason that Ben Zobrist is valuable: they are both eligible at multiple positions. For leagues that specify SP and RP, that is a huge deal. If you have nine slots of P, not so much. Being able to squeeze starts out of the RP role is great for days when you have five starters throwing and you want to maximize your points.

3. 

   geo February 28, 2013 at 1:41 pm - Reply

   Broxton is no longer with the Royals.