What’s poppin’, Razzpimples?
Bullpen recap time!
Don’t forget to keep that Razzball Bullpen Chart bookmarked. It’s been updated with the latest, and I’m usually quick to get it touched up once any type of news drops. And if you’re not a subscriber, I do highly, highly, highly recommend it. The tools are — how do you say? — bussin’. If’n you’re of the mind to consider it, you can find all the info here. I’m partial to the Relievonator Game Log Tool. Truly a godsend for my nerdy backside.
Welp. Let’s do it to it, pardner.
Note: All stats and Player Rater values are accurate through Monday’s games.
Player Rater Top 20 (5×5 Standard)
Player Rater Top 20 (6×6 w/ Holds)
SVHD Leaders
Weekly SV Leaders
Weekly HLD Leaders
Weekly BS+L Leaders :'(
David Bednar kicks off the 2025 bullpen SAGNOF column, headlining for the wrong reasons. BednAAAr (pirate voice) sandwiched an ugly SV between a pair of [somehow less ugly] walk-off losses to the Marlins. The Bucs have seen enough and optioned him to Triple-A. Got the ol’ Jason Foley treatment. Ryan Borucki has looked the best early on, and Dennis Santana has been close behind. Those two are definitely worth eyeballin’. Please, please not Justin Lawrence because “experience” or whatever. Please. Quick edit: Santana got the first SV opp after Borucki collected a 1-out HLD in the 8th cuz Holderman stunk it up.
Kind of a deep cut, but Keegan Akin has collected 2 HLD already in ’25. Stuff hasn’t been spectacular, as neither FIP nor SIERA agree with his 0.00 ERA, but results are results! Felix Bautista showing some signs of rust, as to be expected. Can’t worry a lick about that gunslinger.
Justin Slaten has the only SV for the Red Sox so far. Looked dazzling. Then looked the exact opposite in his last outing. I’m inclined to think he’s in for a good year, regardless. Liam Hendriks is apparently on the mend and not too far away…maybe…And then there’s Aroldis Chapman, who has 1 W to his name in limited work — 0.0 BB%, to boot! (I’m sure that’ll change in a jiff).
Ryan Pressly has 1 SV and horrible numbers. Not sure how long a leash he’s got, but I wager his veteran pedigree lengthens it a decent amount. Can’t say I love the guy anymore; I used to. Porter Hodge is a-wheelin’ and a-dealin’: 2 HLD, -1.13 FIP, 44.4 K-BB%, 34.1 CSW%. The fact that guy is there might shorten Pressly’s leash a decent amount. See how I copped out there? Sorry. Deeper formats could take a look at Caleb Thielbar, who has 2 HLD and has been on my radar for a while back from his Twins day.
Mike Clevinger has 1 HLD and 1 L to his name already. Hasn’t been sharp. I don’t like him. If he sharpens up, there’s always good value to closers on bad teams. Just, you know, he ain’t all that good anymore.
The Reds situation is super messy, but one polished turd has floated to the top of the toilet bowl: Tony Santillan. Already with 2 HLD and very nice metrics. If he can stay healthy, I like him a lot ROS, healthy Alexis Diaz or no. Emilio Pagan has 2 SVHD (one of each) so far. Numbers do look good, just a super boring type who will probably implode sooner or later. Looks like Graham Ashcraft, Scott Barlow, and Taylor Rogers are lagging behind for the time being. And I don’t give a ding dang darn about that random Ian Gibaut save chance on Opening Day. Not bolding his name cuz I refuse to believe he amounts to anything.
Cade Smith is the truth. Paul Sewald is not lol.
Ugh now we’re to Colorado (if you haven’t noticed, I’m mostly going alphabetically, skipping teams without anything worthwhile to report). I was wrong about Tyler Kinley. There’s time for things to change, but it’s plain as day he’s not getting SVHD chances. He’s worthless for now. Might be that he pulls a 2024 and becomes relevant later, because I firmly believe he’s capable, despite his ugly start to 2025. Seth Halvorsen (1 SV) is the only Rockies RP worth a flip. Victor Vodnik is booty. At least I was right about that.
Tyler Holton has gotten a tad lucky so far, but his ratios are in great shape. They should be ROS. Tommy Kahnle had some real sexy stuff going. I like those two best. I don’t like Beau Brieske much at all and never have.
Tanner Scott hasn’t looked like we hoped. I bet he fixes that right quick. Do not panic.
Mark Leiter Jr. always does this: looks super, super good and wins my heart, then by the time I recommend him to the masses, he starts to suck it up. Right now he’s lookin’ like a prize-winning pig at your local fair: 2 IP, 1 HLD, 4 K, 66.7 K-BB%, 42.4 CSW%.
Okay, here’s my Jose Alvarado blurb. I know you’re all itchin’ for it. Everyone seems to be talking about this feller. Yeah, the Spring was bonkers good (against minors bats), yeah, his start to 2025 (1 W, 1 HLD, 71.4 K%) has been awesome. Jordan Romano is the closer still, but go for it, go get him if you can. All formats. Just be ready for the meltdown. Then again, guess you’ll be thrilled and I’ll be eatin’ crow if that never comes and he instead looks like 2023 Alvarado all year.
Camilo Doval is definitely a thing in SVHD leagues. Looking quite good so far. I mean, it’s just 2 IP, but you know. Gotta love a 40 CSW% no matter the context.
Okayyyy, I see you Phil Maton. You and your 1 HLD, -0.46 FIP, 50 K-BB%, and 48.6 CSW%. Ryan Fernandez is supposed to be the main setup behind Helsley. Had some hip tightness at first but now has a HLD (and a BS) to his name. Will be interesting (read: frustrating) to watch this unfold.
Pete Fairbanks, Edwin Uceta, and Mason Montgomery all look good so far. It was the Rockies, but still. Tantalizing upside for all three. Y’all know I love Uceta. Montgomery probably gonna end up next to him in my heart soon enough.
Mixed bag for Luke Jackson thus far, though 2 SV is tied for the league lead I suppose. One thing I’ll keeping hanging my hat on is that Chris Martin is a much better pitcher. You can see how red his metrics are in the SVHD Leaders pic up top. In SV-only, gotta favor Jackson for now.
Jeff Hoffman looks how I expected as Jays closer. Yimi Garcia is the setup man you want. Has 1 SV but 0 HLD while Brendon Little has 2 HLD. Not ready to declare Little a thing yet. Also of note, Chad Green has bad ratios but really good metrics so far. I like Green okay, but Yimi is my main compadre.
That’s all for this week! Thanks for reading. Leave me a comment below so I feel all warm and fuzzy.
Odds are quite good I was drinking either black coffee, dark beer, or some form of bourbon while writing what you just read. In the daylight hours, I’m a high school ELL teacher (formerly a regular English teacher). I have completely left X/Twitter, so you can find me on Bluesky: @jkj0787.bsky.social, where I serve up daily bullpen recaps to my loyal tens of followers.
