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.
Player Rater Top 20 (5×5 Standard)
Player Rater Top 20 (6×6 w/ Holds)
2025 Leaders
Weekly Leaders
Weekly Losers
Weekly Notes:
Note: All stats and Player Rater values are accurate through Monday’s games.
I won’t beat around the cow field, pardner; I got sidetracked this week and got to my a-writin’ later than usual, so we’ve got ourselves an abbreviated SAGNOF saves edition this week. Not gonna go through every team like I’ve been doing the past several rounds. Just highlights. Shootin’ from the hip, you might say.
First up is Josh Hader, who has been damn near perfect in 2025. Dude is the #1 pitcher on Player Rater. Yep, pitcher, not just RP. Even better’n Skubal! Added 5 SV and 6 K this week. Metrics cooked, you can see ’em up on the Weekly Leaders pic. Leads the league with 24 SV now and has a WHIP so tiny that Derek Zoolander would think it’s a center for ants. His main setup man, Bryan Abreu, is finding that form that has made him the #1 setup man in my heart for the past couple years. The walks are still not as under control as I’d like, but them there Ks are a-pilin’ up. He’s up to 60! Before the AS break!
Ronny Henriquez has been a shining, brilliant gem in the barren field that is the Marlins collective fantasy value thus far this season (except tbf the SP are kinda solid of late). He’s firmly in the saves mix now with 2 SV (and 1 W and 1 HLD) this week. Gotta own him everywhere saves are needed now. I see no reason to doubt his success. Seems like a legit gunslinger to me — the swing and miss stuff is some of the best in the league.
Robert Suarez is in a rut. Ain’t the first time, probably won’t be the last. He’s still a top-end fantasy closer. The Padres aren’t going to not run out the guy who has amassed 156 SV in his professional career. Haven’t seen any real rumblings that he’s on the hot seat yet.
Abner Uribe and Jared Koenig have been a lovely little duo of holds providers lately for the Brew Crew. The former had 3, and the latter had 2 this week. Uribe is, of course, the top dog, tallying up 23 HLD already to lead the league. I legit didn’t think that guy would get 23 HLD the rest of his career with the control issues he used to have…and here he is with a respectably manageable 9.8 BB% and 53 K. More like Abner Uri-bae amirite?!
Shelby Miller is settling in very nicely as de facto Diamondbacks closer. Remember that time he was a St. Louis Cardinal? Sure could use another bullpen arm like him right about now. But anywho, I kind of expect the wheels to fall off at some point with Miller, cuz they always seem to when he’s leaned on heaviest. But they ain’t yet, and maybe I’m just being too pessimistic. He’s not elite, but he’s been pretty ding dang close so far this year. Throwing good pitches and getting good results, as evidenced by 33.4 CSW% and 0.99 WHIP.
For the Weekly Losers snapshot, you see poor ol’ Mark Leiter Jr. at the top, gettin’ saddled with 3 L and 1 BS this week. That’s no bueno, amigo. Wonder if Ian Hamilton or Jonathan Loaisiga takes a step forward (Cruz is hurt again; more on that below).
Brad Keller added a couple more holds this week but gave you poo poo ratios in the process. Daniel Palencia has been dat dude, though. Big fan of what the latter’s doing this year, except for the fact that he’s doing it for the Cubs.
Ryan Helsley is looking better, which means good things for the Cardinals, no matter how you shake it. His trade value is that much better if we sell; his form is encouraging if we decide to compete. If you’re wondering, I’ve been following trade deadline talk, and the Cardinals are not being very forthcoming about intentions. I would wager they don’t do a lot one way or the other, but a team really in need of a Helsley type could sway them. Phil Maton is a candidate maybe to move as well, but I’m getting ahead of myself! Deadline is weeks away.
Yimi Garcia is still rehabbing and getting closer. Gotta figure he bumps everyone not named Hoffman down the depth chart when he’s back. Just hope he can stay healthy the rest of the way.
Grant Taylor 1 SV, 1 HLD this week. Pretty awesome start to his MLB career so far, especially with just the one walk. If you’re gonna roster a White Sox reliever, it’s gotta be this guy.
Couple big injury notes this week: Fernando Cruz has a “severe” oblique strain, and Michael Kopech is right back on the IL with some knee inflammation. Think it’s gonna be a good long while before we see Cruz back in action. Kopech timeline right now is a mystery, but what’s not a mystery is that he can’t keep himself very healthy for very long.
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 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.
