Handcuff rankings

 

1. Fernando Cruz

 

Fernando Cruz continues to display some of the most dominant stuff out of the pen in baseball this year while Alexis Diaz continues to struggle. Diaz appears to have lost control a bit this year with a 17.2 BB rate which is not what any team wants out of their closer role. Cruz on the other hand sports 100th percentile K rate and whiff %. Cruz has the tendency to walk some batters as well but with his strikeout rate he is prime to be a dominant closer if he were to get the chance. If Diaz continues to struggle, don’t be surprised if the Reds turn to Cruz who could be a top 10 closer for the ROS if he takes the role. 

 

2. Hunter Harvey 

 

Here I go again saying how Kyle Finnegan is not that good despite continuing to be one of the better closers in baseball by superficial stats so far. Maybe I should give it a rest and shut up but Finnegan has done nothing to prove he is a different pitcher than last year while Harvey continues to show dominant closer quality stuff. Finnegan’s lack of K stuff and 12+% walk rate make me expect some regression while Harvey sports a near 30% k rate and has yet to allow a barrel. As was previously said, if Finnegan falters, grab Harvey. 

 

3. Mark Leiter Jr.

 

Leiter has been the fireman with Hector Neris taking the closer role since Adbert’s demotion, however it is Leiter who has shown the dominant stuff. Maybe that is Craig Counsell’s strategy but Neris has always been dependent on his splitter which he has been known to lose in the past. If he starts to struggle, which he has shown some recent breaks in the armor, he will be demoted for a Cubs team that is trying to compete and Leiter seems like the most logical fill in and is someone who could run away with the role. 

 

 

4. Danny Coulumbe 

 

I have no idea what the Orioles will do about their back end of the bullpen. Not sure why the ended up signing Kimbrel as it’s clear that he has some issues with control and quality of stuff that have been degrading in recent years. I believe Cano is currently their closer but he appears to be better in a 8th inning role than closer as he is not a big strikeout guy. Coulumbe is a crafty lefty who has been around for years and has been quite effective this year. With other lefties in the pen I believe the contending O’s will use whoever can get the job done (until they trade for someone at the deadline). 

 

5. Jeff Hoffman

 

The Phillies finally have a glutton of backend pitchers that they have been craving since losing in the playoffs multiple times due to awful relief corps. Hoffman has shown for the past 2 years dominant stuff that will likely lead to him getting a share of saves no matter what, however Alvarado is known to have occasional issues with control that may lead to difficulty holding the role. More likely though is that Alvarado will be needed to get some lefties out earlier in the game which may lead to Hoffman getting some saves. One of their other “dominant” lefties Giovanny Soto has been awful this year which makes me believe Topper (Rob Thompson) may use Alvarado for those situations instead. Orion Kerkering is in play as well.