Reliever Rankings, June 20
Starting this week, the Reliever Rankings for 2021 will be different. They are now clutch reliever rankings. Mop-up duty or pitching while narrowly behind, while important, is not what makes a relief corps earn its keep. Pitching scoreless innings in tie games or with a narrow lead is what does it.
Teams are ranked by league in the following categories: Goose Egg percentage (GE%), Broken Egg percentage (BE%), and GE per BE (GE/BE). These ranks are averaged to get their overall ranking. The reason we are looking at Goose Eggs — a clutch relief stat invented by Nate Silver — and not saves is that Goose Eggs give a better indication of clutch performance. Plus, they go inning-by-inning instead of game-by-game. (The short version: A Goose Egg is a scoreless inning of relief in the seventh inning or later of either a tie game or one where his team holds a narrow lead. When the pitcher allows an earned run in that situation, it is a Broken Egg. If he allows an unearned run or an inherited run, it is a Meh. In chess terms, that’s akin to a stalemate.)
We will look at the National League first this week, American League fans. Away we go!
NL Reliever Rankings
NL Individual Leaders
NL Notable Performers
Here are notable performers from each National League team.
Arizona Diamondbacks
| Name | GE | BE | M | GE% | BE% | GE/BE |
| Taylor Clarke | 5 | 3 | 0 | 62.5% | 37.5% | 1.7 |
| Stefan Crichton | 5 | 3 | 2 | 50.0% | 30.0% | 1.7 |
| Caleb Smith | 2 | 1 | 0 | 66.7% | 33.3% | 2.0 |
| Alex Young | 2 | 4 | 3 | 22.2% | 44.4% | 0.5 |
Atlanta Braves
| Name | GE | BE | M | GE% | BE% | GE/BE |
| Will Smith | 16 | 5 | 1 | 72.7% | 22.7% | 3.2 |
| AJ Minter | 11 | 8 | 2 | 52.4% | 38.1% | 1.4 |
| Chris Martin | 8 | 3 | 0 | 72.7% | 27.3% | 2.7 |
| Luke Jackson | 6 | 3 | 2 | 54.5% | 27.3% | 2.0 |
| Tyler Matzek | 5 | 2 | 2 | 55.6% | 22.2% | 2.5 |
Chicago Cubs
| Name | GE | BE | M | GE% | BE% | GE/BE |
| Craig Kimbrel | 20 | 2 | 2 | 83.3% | 8.3% | 10.0 |
| Ryan Tepera | 18 | 1 | 2 | 85.7% | 4.8% | 18.0 |
| Andrew Chafin | 15 | 1 | 2 | 83.3% | 5.6% | 15.0 |
Cincinnati Reds
| Name | GE | BE | M | GE% | BE% | GE/BE |
| Tejay Antone | 14 | 1 | 1 | 87.5% | 6.3% | 14.0 |
| Lucas Sims | 12 | 3 | 4 | 63.2% | 15.8% | 4.0 |
| Sean Doolittle | 4 | 1 | 1 | 66.7% | 16.7% | 4.0 |
| Heath Hembree | 4 | 3 | 2 | 44.4% | 33.3% | 1.3 |
| Brad Brach | 3 | 0 | 0 | 100.0% | 0.0% | INF |
| Ryan Hendrix | 3 | 0 | 0 | 100.0% | 0.0% | INF |
| Amir Garrett | 2 | 2 | 1 | 40.0% | 40.0% | 1.0 |
Colorado Rockies
| Name | GE | BE | M | GE% | BE% | GE/BE |
| Mychal Givens | 10 | 3 | 2 | 66.7% | 20.0% | 3.3 |
| Daniel Bard | 9 | 6 | 3 | 50.0% | 33.3% | 1.5 |
| Carlos Estevez | 7 | 2 | 1 | 70.0% | 20.0% | 3.5 |
| Tyler Kinley | 4 | 1 | 1 | 66.7% | 16.7% | 4.0 |
Los Angeles Dodgers
| Name | GE | BE | M | GE% | BE% | GE/BE |
| Kenley Jansen | 16 | 4 | 2 | 72.7% | 18.2% | 4.0 |
| Blake Treinen | 14 | 3 | 5 | 63.6% | 13.6% | 4.7 |
| Victor Gonzalez | 7 | 3 | 1 | 63.6% | 27.3% | 2.3 |
| Dennis Santana | 4 | 0 | 1 | 80.0% | 0.0% | INF |
| Corey Knebel | 4 | 1 | 1 | 66.7% | 16.7% | 4.0 |
Miami Marlins
| Name | GE | BE | M | GE% | BE% | GE/BE |
| Dylan Floro | 16 | 4 | 0 | 80.0% | 20.0% | 4.0 |
| Yimi Garcia | 15 | 5 | 2 | 68.2% | 22.7% | 3.0 |
| Anthony Bass | 9 | 4 | 2 | 60.0% | 26.7% | 2.3 |
Milwaukee Brewers
| Name | GE | BE | M | GE% | BE% | GE/BE |
| Josh Hader | 19 | 0 | 2 | 90.5% | 0.0% | INF |
| Devin Williams | 14 | 4 | 2 | 70.0% | 20.0% | 3.5 |
| Brad Boxberger | 11 | 3 | 1 | 73.3% | 20.0% | 3.7 |
| Brent Suter | 7 | 2 | 1 | 70.0% | 20.0% | 3.5 |
| JP Feyereisen | 7 | 2 | 1 | 70.0% | 20.0% | 3.5 |
New York Mets
| Name | GE | BE | M | GE% | BE% | GE/BE |
| Edwin Diaz | 15 | 2 | 1 | 83.3% | 11.1% | 7.5 |
| Miguel Castro | 9 | 3 | 0 | 75.0% | 25.0% | 3.0 |
| Aaron Loup | 8 | 2 | 7 | 47.1% | 11.8% | 4.0 |
| Jeurys Familia | 5 | 1 | 2 | 62.5% | 12.5% | 5.0 |
| Trevor May | 5 | 2 | 2 | 55.6% | 22.2% | 2.5 |
Philadelphia Phillies
| Name | GE | BE | M | GE% | BE% | GE/BE |
| Jose Alvarado | 14 | 3 | 2 | 73.7% | 15.8% | 4.7 |
| Hector Neris | 13 | 5 | 1 | 68.4% | 26.3% | 2.6 |
| Connor Brogdon | 5 | 2 | 2 | 55.6% | 22.2% | 2.5 |
| Sam Coonrod | 5 | 4 | 3 | 41.7% | 33.3% | 1.3 |
Pittsburgh Pirates
| Name | GE | BE | M | GE% | BE% | GE/BE |
| Richard Rodriguez | 15 | 2 | 0 | 88.2% | 11.8% | 7.5 |
| Kyle Crick | 4 | 1 | 1 | 66.7% | 16.7% | 4.0 |
| Chris Stratton | 3 | 1 | 0 | 75.0% | 25.0% | 3.0 |
| Sam Howard | 3 | 1 | 1 | 60.0% | 20.0% | 3.0 |
San Diego Padres
| Name | GE | BE | M | GE% | BE% | GE/BE |
| Mark Melancon | 19 | 2 | 4 | 76.0% | 8.0% | 9.5 |
| Emilio Pagan | 13 | 2 | 0 | 86.7% | 13.3% | 6.5 |
| Tim Hill | 8 | 2 | 1 | 72.7% | 18.2% | 4.0 |
| Pierce Johnson | 4 | 0 | 0 | 100.0% | 0.0% | INF |
| Nabil Crismatt | 4 | 0 | 1 | 80.0% | 0.0% | INF |
| Austin Adams | 4 | 1 | 1 | 66.7% | 16.7% | 4.0 |
San Francisco Giants
| Name | GE | BE | M | GE% | BE% | GE/BE |
| Tyler Rogers | 17 | 2 | 4 | 73.9% | 8.7% | 8.5 |
| Jake McGee | 16 | 4 | 1 | 76.2% | 19.0% | 4.0 |
| Camilo Doval | 4 | 2 | 2 | 50.0% | 25.0% | 2.0 |
| Zack Littell | 3 | 0 | 0 | 100.0% | 0.0% | INF |
| Matt Wisler | 3 | 2 | 0 | 60.0% | 40.0% | 1.5 |
St. Louis Cardinals
| Name | GE | BE | M | GE% | BE% | GE/BE |
| Giovanny Gallegos | 19 | 3 | 1 | 82.6% | 13.0% | 6.3 |
| Alex Reyes | 14 | 2 | 1 | 82.4% | 11.8% | 7.0 |
| Genesis Cabrera | 7 | 1 | 3 | 63.6% | 9.1% | 7.0 |
Washington Nationals
| Name | GE | BE | M | GE% | BE% | GE/BE |
| Brad Hand | 14 | 4 | 3 | 66.7% | 19.0% | 3.5 |
| Daniel Hudson | 12 | 1 | 2 | 80.0% | 6.7% | 12.0 |
| Kyle Finnegan | 7 | 4 | 1 | 58.3% | 33.3% | 1.8 |
| Tanner Rainey | 6 | 3 | 1 | 60.0% | 30.0% | 2.0 |
Top Three
Josh Hader (MIL), Craig Kimbrel (CHC), Mark Melancon (SD)
AL Reliever Rankings
AL Individual Leaders
AL Notable Performers
Here are notable performers from each American League team.
Baltimore Orioles
| Name | GE | BE | M | GE% | BE% | GE/BE |
| Paul Fry | 8 | 2 | 4 | 57.1% | 14.3% | 4.0 |
| Cesar Valdez | 8 | 4 | 2 | 57.1% | 28.6% | 2.0 |
| Tanner Scott | 6 | 3 | 2 | 54.5% | 27.3% | 2.0 |
| Adam Plutko | 5 | 3 | 5 | 38.5% | 23.1% | 1.7 |
| Travis Lakins | 4 | 3 | 1 | 50.0% | 37.5% | 1.3 |
Boston Red Sox
| Name | GE | BE | M | GE% | BE% | GE/BE |
| Matt Barnes | 15 | 4 | 0 | 78.9% | 21.1% | 3.8 |
| Adam Ottavino | 11 | 5 | 1 | 64.7% | 29.4% | 2.2 |
| Josh Taylor | 4 | 0 | 1 | 80.0% | 0.0% | INF |
Chicago White Sox
| Name | GE | BE | M | GE% | BE% | GE/BE |
| Liam Hendriks | 13 | 3 | 3 | 68.4% | 15.8% | 4.3 |
| Codi Heuer | 10 | 2 | 4 | 62.5% | 12.5% | 5.0 |
| Evan Marshall | 8 | 1 | 3 | 66.7% | 8.3% | 8.0 |
| Garrett Crochet | 7 | 1 | 3 | 63.6% | 9.1% | 7.0 |
| Aaron Bummer | 6 | 5 | 5 | 37.5% | 31.3% | 1.2 |
Cleveland Indians
| Name | GE | BE | M | GE% | BE% | GE/BE |
| James Karinchak | 17 | 1 | 1 | 89.5% | 5.3% | 17.0 |
| Emmanuel Clase | 14 | 2 | 2 | 77.8% | 11.1% | 7.0 |
| Bryan Shaw | 8 | 3 | 0 | 72.7% | 27.3% | 2.7 |
| Nick Wittgren | 7 | 2 | 0 | 77.8% | 22.2% | 3.5 |
| Cal Quantrill | 3 | 1 | 0 | 75.0% | 25.0% | 3.0 |
Detroit Tigers
| Name | GE | BE | M | GE% | BE% | GE/BE |
| Jose Cisnero | 13 | 3 | 3 | 68.4% | 15.8% | 4.3 |
| Gregory Soto | 11 | 2 | 2 | 73.3% | 13.3% | 5.5 |
| Michael Fulmer | 9 | 2 | 2 | 69.2% | 15.4% | 4.5 |
| Kyle Funkhouser | 5 | 0 | 2 | 71.4% | 0.0% | INF |
Houston Astros
| Name | GE | BE | M | GE% | BE% | GE/BE |
| Ryan Pressly | 15 | 1 | 4 | 75.0% | 5.0% | 15.0 |
| Ryne Stanek | 7 | 3 | 3 | 53.8% | 23.1% | 2.3 |
| Bryan Abreu | 5 | 2 | 0 | 71.4% | 28.6% | 2.5 |
| Brooks Raley | 4 | 2 | 1 | 57.1% | 28.6% | 2.0 |
Kansas City Royals
| Name | GE | BE | M | GE% | BE% | GE/BE |
| Scott Barlow | 14 | 2 | 3 | 73.7% | 10.5% | 7.0 |
| Greg Holland | 9 | 3 | 0 | 75.0% | 25.0% | 3.0 |
| Josh Staumont | 7 | 1 | 0 | 87.5% | 12.5% | 7.0 |
| Jake Brentz | 6 | 1 | 2 | 66.7% | 11.1% | 6.0 |
Los Angeles Angels
| Name | GE | BE | M | GE% | BE% | GE/BE |
| Raisel Iglesias | 15 | 3 | 2 | 75.0% | 15.0% | 5.0 |
| Mike Mayers | 11 | 2 | 5 | 61.1% | 11.1% | 5.5 |
| Tony Watson | 9 | 1 | 1 | 81.8% | 9.1% | 9.0 |
Minnesota Twins
| Name | GE | BE | M | GE% | BE% | GE/BE |
| Taylor Rogers | 16 | 3 | 2 | 76.2% | 14.3% | 5.3 |
| Hansel Robles | 11 | 4 | 3 | 61.1% | 22.2% | 2.8 |
| Tyler Duffey | 10 | 4 | 3 | 58.8% | 23.5% | 2.5 |
| Alex Colome | 7 | 4 | 1 | 58.3% | 33.3% | 1.8 |
New York Yankees
| Name | GE | BE | M | GE% | BE% | GE/BE |
| Aroldis Chapman | 19 | 2 | 2 | 82.6% | 8.7% | 9.5 |
| Chad Green | 17 | 3 | 4 | 70.8% | 12.5% | 5.7 |
| Jonathan Loaisiga | 15 | 2 | 3 | 75.0% | 10.0% | 7.5 |
| Darren O’Day | 4 | 1 | 1 | 66.7% | 16.7% | 4.0 |
| Justin Wilson | 4 | 1 | 1 | 66.7% | 16.7% | 4.0 |
| Wandy Peralta | 4 | 1 | 1 | 66.7% | 16.7% | 4.0 |
| Lucas Luetge | 3 | 1 | 1 | 60.0% | 20.0% | 3.0 |
Oakland Athletics
| Name | GE | BE | M | GE% | BE% | GE/BE |
| Yusmeiro Petit | 13 | 0 | 5 | 72.2% | 0.0% | INF |
| Lou Trivino | 11 | 3 | 1 | 73.3% | 20.0% | 3.7 |
| Jake Diekman | 11 | 4 | 0 | 73.3% | 26.7% | 2.8 |
| Sergio Romo | 3 | 1 | 1 | 60.0% | 20.0% | 3.0 |
Seattle Mariners
| Name | GE | BE | M | GE% | BE% | GE/BE |
| Rafael Montero | 12 | 5 | 1 | 66.7% | 27.8% | 2.4 |
| Kendall Graveman | 10 | 1 | 0 | 90.9% | 9.1% | 10.0 |
| Anthony Misiewicz | 8 | 3 | 1 | 66.7% | 25.0% | 2.7 |
| Paul Sewald | 6 | 1 | 1 | 75.0% | 12.5% | 6.0 |
Tampa Bay Rays
| Name | GE | BE | M | GE% | BE% | GE/BE |
| Diego Castillo | 16 | 5 | 1 | 72.7% | 22.7% | 3.2 |
| Ryan Thompson | 14 | 5 | 4 | 60.9% | 21.7% | 2.8 |
| Andrew Kittredge | 13 | 2 | 1 | 81.3% | 12.5% | 6.5 |
| JP Feyereisen | 9 | 1 | 2 | 75.0% | 8.3% | 9.0 |
| Pete Fairbanks | 8 | 2 | 2 | 66.7% | 16.7% | 4.0 |
| Jeffrey Springs | 7 | 4 | 5 | 43.8% | 25.0% | 1.8 |
Texas Rangers
| Name | GE | BE | M | GE% | BE% | GE/BE |
| Ian Kennedy | 12 | 0 | 1 | 92.3% | 0.0% | INF |
| Joely Rodriguez | 8 | 3 | 0 | 72.7% | 27.3% | 2.7 |
| Josh Sborz | 6 | 3 | 2 | 54.5% | 27.3% | 2.0 |
| John King | 4 | 6 | 0 | 40.0% | 60.0% | 0.7 |
| Taylor Hearn | 3 | 2 | 1 | 50.0% | 33.3% | 1.5 |
Toronto Blue Jays
| Name | GE | BE | M | GE% | BE% | GE/BE |
| Jordan Romano | 9 | 3 | 1 | 69.2% | 23.1% | 3.0 |
| Tyler Chatwood | 7 | 3 | 0 | 70.0% | 30.0% | 2.3 |
| Rafael Dolis | 7 | 3 | 2 | 58.3% | 25.0% | 2.3 |
| David Phelps | 5 | 0 | 2 | 71.4% | 0.0% | INF |
| Julian Merryweather | 4 | 0 | 0 | 100.0% | 0.0% | INF |
| Anthony Castro | 4 | 3 | 1 | 50.0% | 37.5% | 1.3 |
Top Three
James Karinchak (CLE), Aroldis Chapman (NYY), Ian Kennedy (TEX)
Glossary
A Goose Egg is a scoreless inning of clutch relief (seventh inning or later; tie game, a lead of no more than two runs, or entering the game with the tying run on base or at bat). A Broken Egg is a failed Goose Egg situation — one where the pitcher allows an earned run. A Meh is a Goose Egg situation that did not result in a GE or BE (e.g. not pitching enough outs, allowing an unearned/inherited run). GE/BE is the ratio of GE to BE; the historical average is around 3-to-1. For a full explanation of the statistic, see this article by its inventor, Nate Silver.
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
