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:
Embed from Getty Images
