Reliever Rankings, June 27
Our (clutch) Reliever Rankings for this week see a shakeup toward the top of the table in both leagues. The American League had a swap of its second- and third-place teams, while the National League has a new leader.
A reminder that these are clutch reliever rankings. Mop-up duty or pitching while behind, while important, is not what makes a bullpen 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.)
AL Reliever Rankings
AL Individual Leaders
Goose Egg Leaders
1 | Aroldis Chapman | NYY | 19 |
2 (T) | Ryan Pressly | HOU | 18 |
Raisel Iglesias | LAA | 18 | |
Chad Green | NYY | 18 | |
5 | Four Tied | 17 |
The four are Matt Barnes (BOS), James Karinchak (CLE), Taylor Rogers (MIN), and Diego Castillo (TB).
Broken Egg Leaders
1 (T) | Jake Diekman | OAK | 6 |
Ryan Thompson | TB | 6 | |
John King | TEX | 6 | |
4 (T) | Five Tied | 5 |
The five are Adam Ottavino (BOS), Aaron Bummer (CHW), Hansel Robles (MIN), Rafael Montero (SEA), and Diego Castillo (TB).
GE/BE Ratio Leaders (Min. 10 GE)
1 | Ian Kennedy | TEX | INF |
2 | Ryan Pressly | HOU | 18.0 |
3 | James Karinchak | CLE | 17.0 |
4 | Yusmeiro Petit | OAK | 13.0 |
5 (T) | Kendall Graveman | SEA | 12.0 |
JP Feyereisen | TB | 12.0 |
AL Notable Performers
Here are notable performers from each American League team.
Baltimore Orioles
Name | GE | BE | M | GE% | BE% | GE/BE |
Paul Fry | 9 | 2 | 4 | 60.0% | 13.3% | 4.5 |
Cesar Valdez | 8 | 4 | 2 | 57.1% | 28.6% | 2.0 |
Tanner Scott | 7 | 3 | 2 | 58.3% | 25.0% | 2.3 |
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 | 17 | 4 | 1 | 77.3% | 18.2% | 4.3 |
Adam Ottavino | 14 | 5 | 1 | 70.0% | 25.0% | 2.8 |
Josh Taylor | 5 | 0 | 1 | 83.3% | 0.0% | INF |
Garrett Whitlock | 5 | 2 | 0 | 71.4% | 28.6% | 2.5 |
Darwinzon Hernandez | 5 | 2 | 4 | 45.5% | 18.2% | 2.5 |
Matt Andriese | 4 | 3 | 1 | 50.0% | 37.5% | 1.3 |
Chicago White Sox
Name | GE | BE | M | GE% | BE% | GE/BE |
Liam Hendriks | 14 | 4 | 3 | 66.7% | 19.0% | 3.5 |
Codi Heuer | 10 | 3 | 4 | 58.8% | 17.6% | 3.3 |
Evan Marshall | 8 | 1 | 3 | 66.7% | 8.3% | 8.0 |
Aaron Bummer | 8 | 5 | 5 | 44.4% | 27.8% | 1.6 |
Garrett Crochet | 7 | 2 | 3 | 58.3% | 16.7% | 3.5 |
Michael Kopech | 4 | 1 | 3 | 50.0% | 12.5% | 4.0 |
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 | 15 | 3 | 3 | 71.4% | 14.3% | 5.0 |
Gregory Soto | 13 | 2 | 2 | 76.5% | 11.8% | 6.5 |
Michael Fulmer | 9 | 3 | 2 | 64.3% | 21.4% | 3.0 |
Kyle Funkhouser | 6 | 0 | 2 | 75.0% | 0.0% | INF |
Houston Astros
Name | GE | BE | M | GE% | BE% | GE/BE |
Ryan Pressly | 18 | 1 | 4 | 78.3% | 4.3% | 18.0 |
Ryne Stanek | 9 | 3 | 3 | 60.0% | 20.0% | 3.0 |
Bryan Abreu | 5 | 2 | 0 | 71.4% | 28.6% | 2.5 |
Brooks Raley | 5 | 2 | 3 | 50.0% | 20.0% | 2.5 |
Cristian Javier | 2 | 1 | 0 | 66.7% | 33.3% | 2.0 |
Kansas City Royals
Name | GE | BE | M | GE% | BE% | GE/BE |
Scott Barlow | 15 | 2 | 3 | 75.0% | 10.0% | 7.5 |
Greg Holland | 10 | 4 | 0 | 71.4% | 28.6% | 2.5 |
Josh Staumont | 7 | 1 | 1 | 77.8% | 11.1% | 7.0 |
Jake Brentz | 6 | 3 | 2 | 54.5% | 27.3% | 2.0 |
Los Angeles Angels
Name | GE | BE | M | GE% | BE% | GE/BE |
Raisel Iglesias | 18 | 3 | 2 | 78.3% | 13.0% | 6.0 |
Mike Mayers | 13 | 2 | 6 | 61.9% | 9.5% | 6.5 |
Tony Watson | 10 | 1 | 2 | 76.9% | 7.7% | 10.0 |
Minnesota Twins
Name | GE | BE | M | GE% | BE% | GE/BE |
Taylor Rogers | 17 | 3 | 3 | 73.9% | 13.0% | 5.7 |
Hansel Robles | 11 | 5 | 4 | 55.0% | 25.0% | 2.2 |
Tyler Duffey | 10 | 4 | 3 | 58.8% | 23.5% | 2.5 |
Alex Colome | 8 | 4 | 2 | 57.1% | 28.6% | 2.0 |
New York Yankees
Name | GE | BE | M | GE% | BE% | GE/BE |
Aroldis Chapman | 19 | 3 | 2 | 79.2% | 12.5% | 6.3 |
Chad Green | 18 | 3 | 4 | 72.0% | 12.0% | 6.0 |
Jonathan Loaisiga | 15 | 3 | 3 | 71.4% | 14.3% | 5.0 |
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 |
Lou Trivino | 13 | 3 | 1 | 76.5% | 17.6% | 4.3 |
Yusmeiro Petit | 13 | 1 | 5 | 68.4% | 5.3% | 13.0 |
Jake Diekman | 11 | 6 | 0 | 64.7% | 35.3% | 1.8 |
Sergio Romo | 3 | 1 | 1 | 60.0% | 20.0% | 3.0 |
Seattle Mariners
Name | GE | BE | M | GE% | BE% | GE/BE |
Kendall Graveman | 12 | 1 | 0 | 92.3% | 7.7% | 12.0 |
Rafael Montero | 12 | 5 | 1 | 66.7% | 27.8% | 2.4 |
Anthony Misiewicz | 9 | 3 | 2 | 64.3% | 21.4% | 3.0 |
Paul Sewald | 7 | 1 | 1 | 77.8% | 11.1% | 7.0 |
Keynan Middleton | 5 | 0 | 2 | 71.4% | 0.0% | INF |
Erik Swanson | 4 | 0 | 0 | 100.0% | 0.0% | INF |
Drew Steckenrider | 4 | 1 | 0 | 80.0% | 20.0% | 4.0 |
JT Chargois | 4 | 0 | 3 | 57.1% | 0.0% | INF |
Tampa Bay Rays
Name | GE | BE | M | GE% | BE% | GE/BE |
Diego Castillo | 17 | 5 | 1 | 73.9% | 21.7% | 3.4 |
Ryan Thompson | 14 | 6 | 5 | 56.0% | 24.0% | 2.3 |
Andrew Kittredge | 13 | 2 | 1 | 81.3% | 12.5% | 6.5 |
JP Feyereisen | 12 | 1 | 2 | 80.0% | 6.7% | 12.0 |
Pete Fairbanks | 9 | 3 | 2 | 64.3% | 21.4% | 3.0 |
Jeffrey Springs | 7 | 4 | 6 | 41.2% | 23.5% | 1.8 |
Matt Wisler | 6 | 1 | 0 | 85.7% | 14.3% | 6.0 |
Texas Rangers
Name | GE | BE | M | GE% | BE% | GE/BE |
Ian Kennedy | 12 | 0 | 1 | 92.3% | 0.0% | INF |
Joely Rodriguez | 9 | 3 | 0 | 75.0% | 25.0% | 3.0 |
Josh Sborz | 6 | 3 | 2 | 54.5% | 27.3% | 2.0 |
Brett Martin | 4 | 0 | 4 | 50.0% | 0.0% | INF |
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 | 12 | 3 | 1 | 75.0% | 18.8% | 4.0 |
Tyler Chatwood | 9 | 3 | 0 | 75.0% | 25.0% | 3.0 |
Rafael Dolis | 7 | 3 | 2 | 58.3% | 25.0% | 2.3 |
Tim Mayza | 6 | 2 | 1 | 66.7% | 22.2% | 3.0 |
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
Ryan Pressly (HOU), James Karinchak (CLE), Ian Kennedy (TEX)
NL Reliever Rankings
NL Individual Leaders
Goose Eggs
1 (T) | Josh Hader | MIL | 21 |
Mark Melancon | SD | 21 | |
3 (T) | Craig Kimbrel | CHC | 20 |
Tyler Rogers | SF | 20 | |
Giovanny Gallegos | STL | 20 |
Broken Eggs
1 | AJ Minter | ATL | 8 |
2 | Daniel Bard | COL | 7 |
3 (T) | Yimi Garcia | MIA | 6 |
Hector Neris | PHL | 6 | |
5 (T) | Will Smith | ATL | 5 |
Devin Williams | MIL | 5 |
GE/BE Ratio (Min. 10 GE)
1 | Josh Hader | MIL | INF |
2 | Andrew Chafin | CHC | 15.0 |
3 | Tejay Antone | CIN | 14.0 |
4 | Daniel Hudson | WSN | 12.0 |
5 | Mark Melancon | SD | 10.5 |
NL Notable Performers
Here are notable performers from each National League team.
Arizona Diamondbacks
Name | GE | BE | M | GE% | BE% | GE/BE |
Kevin Ginkel | 5 | 2 | 1 | 62.5% | 25.0% | 2.5 |
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 | 18 | 5 | 1 | 75.0% | 20.8% | 3.6 |
AJ Minter | 13 | 8 | 2 | 56.5% | 34.8% | 1.6 |
Chris Martin | 8 | 3 | 0 | 72.7% | 27.3% | 2.7 |
Luke Jackson | 6 | 4 | 2 | 50.0% | 33.3% | 1.5 |
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 | 2 | 2 | 81.8% | 9.1% | 9.0 |
Andrew Chafin | 15 | 1 | 2 | 83.3% | 5.6% | 15.0 |
Dan Winkler | 5 | 0 | 1 | 83.3% | 0.0% | INF |
Cincinnati Reds
Name | GE | BE | M | GE% | BE% | GE/BE |
Tejay Antone | 14 | 1 | 2 | 82.4% | 5.9% | 14.0 |
Lucas Sims | 13 | 3 | 4 | 65.0% | 15.0% | 4.3 |
Brad Brach | 5 | 0 | 0 | 100.0% | 0.0% | INF |
Ryan Hendrix | 4 | 1 | 0 | 80.0% | 20.0% | 4.0 |
Sean Doolittle | 4 | 2 | 1 | 57.1% | 28.6% | 2.0 |
Heath Hembree | 4 | 4 | 2 | 40.0% | 40.0% | 1.0 |
Amir Garrett | 3 | 2 | 1 | 50.0% | 33.3% | 1.5 |
Colorado Rockies
Name | GE | BE | M | GE% | BE% | GE/BE |
Mychal Givens | 10 | 3 | 2 | 66.7% | 20.0% | 3.3 |
Daniel Bard | 9 | 7 | 3 | 47.4% | 36.8% | 1.3 |
Carlos Estevez | 7 | 3 | 1 | 63.6% | 27.3% | 2.3 |
Tyler Kinley | 4 | 2 | 1 | 57.1% | 28.6% | 2.0 |
Los Angeles Dodgers
Name | GE | BE | M | GE% | BE% | GE/BE |
Kenley Jansen | 16 | 4 | 2 | 72.7% | 18.2% | 4.0 |
Blake Treinen | 15 | 4 | 6 | 60.0% | 16.0% | 3.8 |
Victor Gonzalez | 7 | 4 | 1 | 58.3% | 33.3% | 1.8 |
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 | 17 | 4 | 0 | 81.0% | 19.0% | 4.3 |
Yimi Garcia | 16 | 6 | 2 | 66.7% | 25.0% | 2.7 |
Anthony Bass | 9 | 4 | 2 | 60.0% | 26.7% | 2.3 |
Richard Bleier | 5 | 3 | 2 | 50.0% | 30.0% | 1.7 |
Milwaukee Brewers
Name | GE | BE | M | GE% | BE% | GE/BE |
Josh Hader | 21 | 0 | 2 | 91.3% | 0.0% | INF |
Devin Williams | 15 | 5 | 2 | 68.2% | 22.7% | 3.0 |
Brad Boxberger | 12 | 3 | 1 | 75.0% | 18.8% | 4.0 |
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 | 17 | 3 | 1 | 81.0% | 14.3% | 5.7 |
Miguel Castro | 9 | 4 | 0 | 69.2% | 30.8% | 2.3 |
Aaron Loup | 8 | 2 | 7 | 47.1% | 11.8% | 4.0 |
Seth Lugo | 6 | 0 | 0 | 100.0% | 0.0% | INF |
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 | 15 | 3 | 3 | 71.4% | 14.3% | 5.0 |
Hector Neris | 14 | 6 | 2 | 63.6% | 27.3% | 2.3 |
Connor Brogdon | 6 | 2 | 2 | 60.0% | 20.0% | 3.0 |
Sam Coonrod | 5 | 4 | 3 | 41.7% | 33.3% | 1.3 |
Pittsburgh Pirates
Name | GE | BE | M | GE% | BE% | GE/BE |
Richard Rodriguez | 16 | 2 | 0 | 88.9% | 11.1% | 8.0 |
Kyle Crick | 5 | 1 | 1 | 71.4% | 14.3% | 5.0 |
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 | 21 | 2 | 5 | 75.0% | 7.1% | 10.5 |
Emilio Pagan | 14 | 3 | 0 | 82.4% | 17.6% | 4.7 |
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 | 20 | 2 | 4 | 76.9% | 7.7% | 10.0 |
Jake McGee | 18 | 4 | 2 | 75.0% | 16.7% | 4.5 |
Zack Littell | 4 | 0 | 0 | 100.0% | 0.0% | INF |
Camilo Doval | 4 | 2 | 2 | 50.0% | 25.0% | 2.0 |
Matt Wisler | 3 | 2 | 0 | 60.0% | 40.0% | 1.5 |
St. Louis Cardinals
Name | GE | BE | M | GE% | BE% | GE/BE |
Giovanny Gallegos | 20 | 3 | 1 | 83.3% | 12.5% | 6.7 |
Alex Reyes | 15 | 2 | 1 | 83.3% | 11.1% | 7.5 |
Genesis Cabrera | 8 | 1 | 3 | 66.7% | 8.3% | 8.0 |
Ryan Helsley | 4 | 2 | 0 | 66.7% | 33.3% | 2.0 |
Washington Nationals
Name | GE | BE | M | GE% | BE% | GE/BE |
Brad Hand | 15 | 4 | 3 | 68.2% | 18.2% | 3.8 |
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 | 4 | 2 | 50.0% | 33.3% | 1.5 |
Top Three
Josh Hader (MIL), Mark Melancon (SD), Craig Kimbrel (CHC)
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. 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:
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