Seranthony Domínguez has had quite the successful return from Tommy John surgery, arguably being the Phillies best reliever this season to date. Dominguez is allowing some hard contact, but he’s striking out hitters at a good clip (32.1% K rate) with his slider at a 50% Whiff rate. With a new manager, I had some hope there might be consideration to make a change at closer as Corey Knebel continues to struggle, but for now it looks like the team will stick with the current hierarchy. Still, Seranthony should be in line for more hold chances as the best reliever on the roster, and we could see him double that total (8 on the year) by the All-Star break.
Notes
- Luis García has emerged as the Padres top holds option and there isn’t even much competition at this point. García has picked up right where he left off last season, albeit with a new team, and should continue to be a source of holds while not being a big factor anywhere else really.
- I miss a week and all of a sudden Eli Morgan is the Guardians top setup guy and has five holds on the season, all over the past two weeks. Morgan doesn’t throw hard but has a solid three-pitch mix to get lefties and righties out. The 35.1% K rate is bound to come back down to earth eventually with no true “out” pitch (and 28.8% CSW / 28.3% Whiff rates), but there’s still a good reliever here worth a look in most holds leagues.
- Ryne Stanek only has 4 holds on the season but he has been one of the Astros top relievers and I could see him overtaking Rafael Montero at some point for a set up role. Despite the low strikeout rate, Stanek is still missing bats at a high level (33.1% Whiff rate) and hasn’t allowed a run since April.
- Yimi Garcia has been a bit of a rollercoaster this season, but he was able to finish May on a high note which has carried over into June. Adam Cimber would be the other top setup option here and similarly to Garcia, isn’t known for getting swings and misses. I don’t exactly trust either one to hold up over the entirety of the season, but if I had to take a chance on one for now, it’d be Garcia.
- Speaking of limited strikeout upside, Dennis Santana has moved into a consistent high leverage role with the Rangers after picking up five holds over the past two weeks. Santana does a great job limiting hard contact and inducing ground balls at a near 50% rate but his 14.3% K rate leaves a lot to be desired.
P
Schreiber BOS – was he left out for some reason? Surely he belongs somewhere in tier 3 / 4 ??
I put him as the closer on Monday. He would be tier 4 on here.
Luis Garcia is linked to one of the hundred other Luis Garcias. I don’t understand why he is the guy they go with. He is old, doesn’t have great numbers or any useful track record (career WHIP of 1.5). He is a good posterboy of the fact that being a setup guy is very easy. They are the placekickers of MLB. Why not use Stammen who is just better since forever. I wonder if Morejon is going to be a guy for them pretty soon. Baez could also join the mix soon. Both failed SP that were formerly top specs.
Stanek is garbage. IMO he is the epitome of replaceable garbage. Anyone could succeed in that role. Montero is pretty good though. I have seen him pitch a lot and he epitomizes the modern game – zero execution. I am just sitting there frustrated that I have to watch that as MLB pitching. He is as effective as his BABIP is low. I can’t understand why they don’t just put some other failed starter in the role. I really do’nt like Stanek.
Knebel has proved beyond any doubt that he should never be relied on as a primary bullpen arm. That bullpen is super weird because they have quite a few guys that could have a good year in that role but all are plan B. Is there a team with more guys that have significant saves in one bullpen than PHI? Ironically, Neris is a healthier version of Knebel.
You are very good at ranking middle relievers. I am just mystified at who gets the privilege of getting the high leverage roles vs who does not. The other half of is it is who is getting lucky. Its crazy to me how much people’s roles change through the course of a year.