It hurts to push Giovanny Gallegos down the list this week but it feels necessary after allowing runs in his last four appearances, in those four games allowing seven hits and five runs . He’s been dealing with some bad luck (.301 BABIP this season compared to career .259 mark) but at the same time, he has been allowing some hard contact, especially as of late. His 2.92 SIERA and swing and miss metrics suggest better days should be ahead for Gallegos, so don’t put too much stock into his recent struggles despite it potentially leading to less save chances moving forward as long as Ryan Helsley is healthy.
Notes
- It’s a minor move but there is a change at the top of the list for the first time all season with Edwin Díaz back as the top reliever on the list for the first time since April 23rd of 2021. More than halfway through the season and Díaz currently has a ridiculous 51.4% K rate, which to put in perspective, Josh Hader is second at 44.1% and only two other relievers are higher than 40% (Dev Williams and Helsley) while only EIGHT total relievers have K rates over 35%. Díaz has even lowered his walk rate, leading to a 43% K-BB rate, with Díaz being the only pitcher over 40% while only SIX relievers eclipse the 30% mark. Only one reliever has an xFIP under 2.00 this season, and you guessed it, it’s Díaz with a 0.86 xFIP! There are two relievers with SwStr rates over 19%, Andrés Muñoz (20.9%) and yes…Díaz at 22.7%. Díaz CSW% currently sits at 39.1%, with the second best being Devin Williams at 35.7%. It’s not just that Díaz has been the best reliever in baseball this season, that’s not surprising, what is is just how much more dominant he has been than everyone else so far.
- We’ll keep it in the family and talk about Edwin’s brother Alexis Díaz, the most talented reliever in the Reds bullpen at the moment. Díaz has looked good since returning from the IL last week and while Hunter Strickland is still the teams “closer”, Díaz remains the only reliever worth rostering on this team and one that brings significant strikeout upside.
- Two relievers who were a top the holds rankings for much of the year make their returns this week in Garrett Whitlock and Jonathan Loáisiga returns. Whitlock returns tonight and will be back in the bullpen after making nine straight starts prior to his injury. Loáisiga returned last night and did not fare so well allowing 4 hits and three runs while getting just two outs.
- Jason Adam, Scott Barlow, Diego Castillo, Wil Crowe, A.J. Minter, Brooks Raley, and Paul Sewald each had 3 SV+HLD’s this past week. No real surprises here, but it’s nice to see Crowes ascent as he know has seven holds over the past two weeks.
Injured List
| PITCHER | TIER | NOTES |
|---|---|---|
| Drew Pomeranz | 3-5 | Flexor Tendon. On the 60-day IL so don’t expect to see him until late July. Progressing to bullpens. |
| Nick Anderson | 3-5 | UCL. Still out until (at least) August. Has done some mound work but still experiencing discomfort. |
| J.P. Feyereisen | 3-6 | Shoulder. Feeling better but still not throwing. Now on 60 day IL, out until August. |
| Kirby Yates | 3-6 | TJS. Don’t expect to see Yates until August (at the earliest). Has been throwing off a mound at ST complex. |
| Blake Treinen | 3-6 | Shoulder. Now out until August. Began throwing off a mound which is progress |
| Jonathan Hernández | 5-7 | TJS. Still rehabbing at AAA. 4.76 ERA, 2.12 WHIP over 13 games there this season. |
| Pete Fairbanks | 5-7 | Torn Lat. Has started his rehab at AAA and could return in the coming weeks. |
| Trevor May | 5-7 | Arm. Completed his first bullpen and could return at some point in early August. |
| Aaron Bummer | 5-7 | Lat. Not throwing off a mound yet (7/7), likely out until mid-late August now. |
| Josh Staumont | 5-8 | Neck. Out with a neck strain, there’s been no update since he was placed on the IL. |
Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)
Pressly has thrown 8 scoreless innings with a 0.00 WHIP over that span and he drops a spot…. sus
Haha felt like Devin Williams was due to move up. Nothing against Pressly.
That’s fair, I totally get it. As a Pressly owner I couldn’t resist saying something. I appreciate your work, Rick!
I’m looking to add two SP/RP who can get Holds and give me strong ratios. Giffin Jax is on the best team available but I could also add Matt Moore or Matt Bush. Both those guys play on the Rangers, which I could just pair them together. Will Crowe is available but the Pirates stink and he hasn’t been good recently. McHugh is available but it looks like he’s not getting many Holds opportunities, same story for Reynaldo Lopez, Matt Wisler and Jordan Hicks…not sure which 2 of these pitchers to pick up?
TLDR, please pick two for Holds:
Griffin Jax
Matt Moore
Matt Bush
Will Crowe
Collin McHugh
Reynaldo Lopez
Matt Wisler
Jordan Hicks