Top Middle Relievers

[ferris182]

Hi Guys,

Here is my top 10 middle relief pitchers.

1. Shields
2. Linebrink
3. Duchscherer
4. Rincon
4. Wheeler
5. Madson
6. Farnsworth
7. Hermanson
8. Eyre
9. Seánez
10. Betancourt

How does this look?
Are there any other rankings for Middle relievers on the cafe?

[Pogotheostrich]

There is a good list and discussion here.

[WittyC]

There is a good list and discussion here.

Another good one here.

Kind of hard to critique your rankings since I don't know if you're including holds or not. Plus, it's damn-near impossible to rank MR guys.

[AuburnTigers]

I agree 100% that it's hard to rank the MR

I look at it two ways:

1st - If you are playing in a deep league, its not necessarily drafting the MR guys with the best stuff. I think its important to draft MR guys who have a high probability of becoming closers (2nd in line). Now there are many cases where the MR is second in line and has really good stuff (ex. Sheilds, Linebrink). I also like to draft the backups for the closers on my team as an insurance policy.
Summary: I make a ranking of who I think has a good chance of becoming a closer first

2nd - I look purely at the quality of the MR and rank based on ERA, WHIP and K (H if your league uses it). I then go through and make a second ranking of MR based on the pitchers with the best stuff.


Overall, I think it's important to keep three things in mind when drafting MR.
1. Who are the backups for the closers I have already drafted?
2. Who do I think has a good chance at becoming a closer or picking up some cheap saves?
3. Who has the best numbers to lower my ERA and WHIP; and give me some Ks?

[Tommy John]

Why is everyone higher on Wheeler than Qualls. His numbers are better and is stated that he is the set-up man for the Astros (which would lead you to believe he will have the better numbers) but Qualls had 22 holds last year while Wheeler had 17. From a holds standpoint, who will have more this year??

[Broncmet724]

I think your leaving Akinori Otsuka off your list, and I don't think Wheeler should even be on the top 10.

Scot Shields
Scott Linebrink
Juan Rincon (coming off of surgery)
Hector Carrasco
Jesse Crain
Luis Ayala
Justin Duchscherer
Akinori Otsuka

[Tommy John]

No way Carrasco puts up big numbers. He was pitching in the best pitchers park around last year, he is old, and he has only posted an ERA under 4.00 three times in his career. With Shields, Donnelly, and company, Carrasco will be solid but very average.

[BigLebowski]

Why is everyone higher on Wheeler than Qualls. His numbers are better and is stated that he is the set-up man for the Astros (which would lead you to believe he will have the better numbers) but Qualls had 22 holds last year while Wheeler had 17. From a holds standpoint, who will have more this year??

Quall's is under-rated. Everyone seems to love Wheeler but if I had to choose it would be Qualls every time.

[Tommy John]

Just a gut feeling?? Why do you like Qualls better??

[Tommy John]

Wheeler gives up less hits per inning, they are similar in walks, and Wheeler has more strikeouts with a better ERA and they are about the same age, which one will emerge this year?