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)
2025 SVHD Leaders
Weekly SVHD Leaders
Weekly BS+L Leaders :'(
Wellllllllllllllllllllllllll shucks. Think the headline says it all this week. You drafted Devin Williams as your RP1, expecting utter dominance. Guess in a sense you got what you were after, eh? Just went the other way around! Airbender has been getting fully and completely dominated thus far in 2025, so much so that manager Aaron Boone finally said, “You know what? I probably shouldn’t let this guy close games anymore.” And here we are. Williams is out as Yankees closer. Good news is this is definitely a temporary situation. There’s just no way the arguable best reliever in the game the last few years won’t get another crack at doing what he does (or used to do) best. His WHIP has been uncanny and the K% is below 20 for probably the first time in his life. It’s easy to go see that in years his change and four-seamer have worked in tandem to be two of the deadliest pitches in baseball. This year, his fastball is hot garbage and his change isn’t much better. Exactly why that’s the case is beyond me. I am certainly no expert, but from what I can tell, the RPM and break and all that other fancy stuff are in line with previous years, more or less. Part of the reason for bad results thus far can be attributed to an unsustainably high BABIP (.400). But he’s still getting a fraction of the whiffs and overall CSW% that he used to. He did have a clean low-leverage outing last time. We’ll see if he can right the ship. For now, you want Luke Weaver in SV-only and also Fernando Cruz and Mark Leiter Jr. in SVHD.
One single feller had a whoppin’ 4 SV this week: Emilio Pagan
- Pagan had 5 K and a 0.50 WHIP to go with his 4 SV. That’s pretty bonkers to have 4 SV over a seven-day span. Metrics looked healthy, to boot.
A trio of trailblazers had 3 SV: Andres Munoz, Pete Fairbanks, and Mason Miller.
- Munoz has been a beast. Don’t really feel the need to elaborate.
- Fairbanks worried some folks early on. I’ve cooled a bit on the elite upside I used to think he had, cuz now he’s just kinda got above-average vibes for me. Still, very nice fantasy value in saves leagues.
- Ohhhh I don’t think I need to elaborate on Miller, either. We all know by now.
On over to the holds side of the prairie, these guys had 3 HLD: Robert Garcia, Bryan King, and Tony Santillan.
- Garcia has established himself as a pretty ding dang good high-leverage reliever. Got himself 1 W and 9 SVHD thus far in ’25, with teensy tiny ratios alongside.
- King is enjoying a breakout season as well. 8 SVHD, also teensy tiny ratios, and a very healthy 34.4 CSW%.
- Santillan is up to 9 SVHD as primary setup man behind Pagan. I daresay Alexis Diaz is gonna have to work real hard to be fantasy relevant again.
Now the other three folks who had a combination of 3 SVHD: David Bednar, Dennis Santana, and Lucas Erceg.
- Did Devin Williams die so David Bednar could live?! Bednar has reclaimed his fantasy relevancy (in all formats) while Williams is, for now, completely worthless. Bednar’s last 14 days: 1 SV, 2 HLD, 0.00 ERA, 0.31 FIP, 7 K, 40 K-BB%, 21.4 SwStr%, and 42.9 CSW%. All three of those SVHD came this week.
- Santana had 1 SV and 2 HLD. Strong ratios supported by very strong metrics. He’s probably safe to drop in SV-only, but I’d hold in SVHD.
- Erceg had 1 SV and 2 HLD. Despite the save, this is still Estevez’s job to lose.
Other standouts, for better or for worse:
- Mix of good and bad from Luke Jackson. Had 2 SV but also 1 BS and 2 L. Wouldn’t say his job is in jeopardy, but I’ve said before I don’t have a wagonload of confidence over the course of a full season. Not with the way Garcia and Chris Martin (2 HLD this week) have been pitching.
- Emmanuel Clase didn’t get a lot of action this week, while Cade Smith earned 2 SV. Did it take Williams and Clase both dying for Bednar to live?!
- Deeper formats gotta start looking at Kyle Leahy for holds. Picked up two more this week. He’s not the flashiest, but he’s been one of the more effective RP to this point: 1.62 ERA, 0.54 WHIP, 16 K with 5 HLD on the season.
- Same goes for Daysbel Hernandez for Atlanta. Already got 3 W and 4 HLD to his name. Ratios looks good, but the metrics are pretty bland. I’m not sold he’s legit, but he’s getting opportunities, and that’s half the battle.
- Ryne Stanek (former Hog woo pig) really Ryne Stunk it up this week, which just paves the way for Reed Garrett to step up as the best holds option for the Mets now that A.J. Minter is on the IL.
- Of course last week’s headliner has already kinda puttered out. Looks like we’ve got a co-closer situation at best in Miami. Both Calvin Faucher and Jesus Tinoco have seen the 9th of late, and Tinoco’s last decision was a hold. Roster ‘em in SV leagues if you’re grasping at straws.
- Edwin Uceta had 1 W and 2 HLD. Ratios looked great but the ERA predictors didn’t agree. Nice to see him snag some positive decisions, though! Plenty of season left and thus time to turn it all around. Might already have that ship pointed at the right guiding star.
- Griffin Jax had 2 HLD, striking out 7 in 3 IP. Ridonk 63.6 K%, 28.3 SwStr%, and 47.8 CSW% this week. Bro is him. Do not be scared by his bad outings. He will shove. Go get him now.
Injury Updates:
- Paul Sewald landed on the IL. Gives a decent boost to Tim Herrin in SVHD leagues.
- Mentioned Minter above — he might be done for the year. Even if not, he’s probably mostly useless ROS.
- Andrew Kittredge will face hitters soon.
- Kevin Ginkel was activated. Could become a top setup option in short order, but Shelby Miller has been having a good year. Monitor closely.
- A.J. Puk has avoided surgery for now. Flexor strains usually spell bad news, though. They’ll reassess in a few weeks.
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.
