Reliever Roundup & Bullpen Bonanza — September 2024 Awards
Welcome to the sixth Awards Edition of Reliever Roundup and Bullpen Bonanza! In this installment, we will announce the Sport Relay Reliever Award winners for September.
Statistics are for all games in the month of September and exclude position pitchers. To qualify for the leaderboards, a pitcher must have at least seven relief appearances.
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Click/tap here to see the ranking method.
League averages for September:
AL — 3.69 ERA, 1.225 WHIP, 2.8 HR%, 14.1 K–BB%, 72.2 ScOtg% (ER), 2.9 GE/BE, 1.4 GE, 35.4 IS%.
NL — 4.03 ERA, 1.260 WHIP, 2.7 HR%, 14.1 K–BB%, 72.4 ScOtg% (ER), 3.1 GE/BE, 1.5 GE, 35.9 IS%.
Sport Relay Team Reliever and Bullpen Awards, September 2024
Relief Corps of the Month (AL), September
Detroit Tigers
8.3 GE/BE (33–4), 73.3 ScOtg%, 0.988 WHIP, 2.0 HR%, 15.8 K–BB%
Shakiest Relief Corps of the Month (AL), September
Toronto Blue Jays
0.9 GE/BE (9–10), 65.2 ScOtg%, 1.406 WHIP, 3.2 HR%, 10.2 K–BB%
Relief Corps of the Month (NL), September
Los Angeles Dodgers
15.0 GE/BE (15–1), 70.0 ScOtg%, 1.207 WHIP, 2.2 HR%, 14.5 K–BB%
Shakiest Relief Corps of the Month (NL), September
Arizona Diamondbacks
1.0 GE/BE (4–4), 65.5 ScOtg%, 1.490 WHIP, 4.1 HR%, 16.7 K–BB%
Sport Relay Individual Reliever and Bullpen Awards, September 2024
AL Middle Reliever of the Month, September
Angel Zerpa, Kansas City Royals
A major reason for the Royals’ surge to the playoffs was relief pitching, and Zerpa played a key role. He did not allow a run of any type — earned, unearned, or inherited — in any of his seven appearances, stranding six inherited runners in the process. Facing 24 batters across 6 2/3 innings, he struck out eight, walked one, and allowed three hits. His WHIP for the month was 0.600 along with 0.0 HR% (obviously) and a 29.2 K–BB% (33.3 K%, 4.2 BB%).
NL Middle Reliever of the Month, September
Joel Payamps, Milwaukee Brewers
After spending much of the season as a setup man — and winning Sport Relay’s NL Setup Man of the Month for August — Payamps was used more as a middle reliever than a setup man in September. In the process, Payamps went and won the Sport Relay NL Middle Reliever of the Month for September.
Payamps did not allow an earned run in any of his 10 September appearances, also stranding the only runner he inherited all month. He faced 30 batters over 8 1/3 innings, striking out 11, walking two, and allowing two hits. His rate stats came out to 0.600 WHIP, 0.0 HR% (obviously), and 26.7 K–BB% (36.7 K%, 10.0 BB%).
AL Setup Man of the Month, September
Tyler Holton, Detroit Tigers
Holton was 6–0 in GE–BE across his nine September appearances, preventing opponents from scoring an earned run 100% of the time and stranding all four runners he inherited. His performance contributed greatly to the Tigers’ improbably run to the playoffs. He tossed four innings and faced 41 batters, striking out 11, walking two, and allowing four hits. This gave him a 0.500 WHIP, an obvious 0.0 HR%, and a 22.0 K–BB% (26.8 K%, 4.9 BB%).
NL Setup Man of the Month, September
Dennis Santana, Pittsburgh Pirates
Santana made 12 appearances in September, tallying eight GE and no BE. He tossed 12 1/3 innings, allowing one earned run on four hits. Of the 46 batters he faced, 11 struck out and four walked. He inherited three runners and stranded them all. His September WHIP was 0.649, along with a 0.0 HR% and 15.2 K–BB% (23.9 K%, 8.7 BB%).
AL Closer of the Month, September
Emmanuel Clase, Cleveland Guardians
Clase was the definition of lights out in September, earning his third Closer of the Month award for the 2024 season (May, July). He had 11 September appearances and did not allow any runner of any type — earned, unearned, or inherited — to score. Clase was also clutch, converting all eight Goose Egg opportunities. He tossed 11 innings and faced 38 batters — only five more than the minimum. Of the 38, 11 struck out, two walked, and four cracked a hit. This gave him a September WHIP of 0.545 and a 23.7 K–BB% (28.9 K%, 5.3 BB%).
NL Closer of the Month, September
Devin Williams, Milwaukee Brewers
On July 28, Williams returned from a back stress fracture injury suffered in spring training. He got off to a great start by finishing fifth among NL closers in August. In September, he did even better. He was 6–0 in GE–BE during his 10 September appearances, posting a perfect 100.0 ScOtg%. Williams faced 37 batters across 10 innings, striking out 18, walking three, and allowing four hits. This gave him a 0.700 WHIP and a 40.5 K–BB% (48.6 K%, 8.1 BB%).
These next two are odd, given that the Biggest Plunge AL reliever and AL Setup Man of the month from August became the Most Improved and Biggest Plunge for September. However, that’s the life of a reliever sometimes. As Rockies manager Bud Black would say, “That’s baseball.”
Most Improved, AL, September
Taylor Saucedo, Seattle Mariners Middle Reliever
Saucedo had a nightmarish August <link to August Awards>. 7 G, 42.9 ScOtg% (3-for-7), 3 2/3 IP, 21 TBF, 6 ER, 8 H, 0 K, 2 BB, 2.727 WHIP, –9.5 K–BB% (0.0 K%, 9.5 BB%), 83.3 IS% (5-of-6), –105.2 Pts.
September was the polar opposite. He had a 100.0 ScOtg% in nine appearances, although he did have an 18.2 IS% (2-of-11; still far better than league average). Facing 20 batters across 5 2/3 innings, he struck out six, walked one, and allowed three hits. A 0.706 WHIP and 25.0 K–BB% (30.0 K%, 5.0 BB%) topped it off. It gave him 52.1 points in September, seventh among AL middle relievers and an improvement of 157.3 points over August.
Biggest Plunge, AL, September
Griffin Jax, Minnesota Twins Setup Man
Jax was a puzzle the American League could not solve in August, but they figured him out in September. His August line: 13 G, 100.0 ScOtg%, 10–0 GE–BE, 12 1/3 IP, 43 TBF, 0 ER, 6 H, 17 K, 0 BB, 0.486 WHIP, 39.5 K–BB% (39.5 K%, 0.0 BB%), 0.0 IS% (0-of-2), 208.6 points. With a point total that high in August, he was bound to come down in September, but we did not expect this.
In 11 appearances, Jax had a 7–3 GE–BE tally, 2.3 GE/BE. He had a 72.7 ScOtg% (7-of-11) and a 25.0 IS% (2-of-8). Facing 50 hitters across 12 1/3 innings, he allowed five earned runs on 11 hits (including a homer), striking out 18 and walking three. His 1.135 WHIP and 30.0 K–BB% (36.0 K%, 6.0 BB%) were still very good, and a 2.0 HR% is still better than average, but the three Broken Eggs contributed heavily to his 62.5 total points, a 146.1-point drop from August.
Most Improved, NL, September
Alexis Diaz, Cincinnati Reds Closer
Diaz had a dreadful August, only holding opponents without an earned run in 6-of-11 appearances (63.6 ScOtg%). He lasted nine innings in those 11 appearances, facing 39 batters. Diaz allowed seven earned runs on nine hits, four of which were homers. He struck out 11 and walked three. This gave him a 1.333 WHIP, 10.3 HR%, 20.5 K–BB% (28.2 K%, 7.7 BB%), and –39.1 points.
Fast forward to September, where Diaz had a 100.0 ScOtg% in nine appearances, tallying six GE and no BE. In nine innings, he faced 33 batters, striking out eight, walking three, and allowing two hits. He had a 0.556 WHIP, 0.0 HR%, 15.2 K–BB% (24.2 K%, 9.1 BB%), and 109.1 points — a 148.1-point improvement over August.
Biggest Plunge, NL, September
Justin Martinez, Arizona Diamondbacks Closer
Martinez played a key role in the Diamondbacks’ success in August as well as their slipup in September. August saw him post a 78.6 ScOtg% (11-of-14) and tally nine GE versus one BE. He tossed 14 1/3 innings and faced 63 batters, allowing three earned runs on 12 hits (including one homer), striking out 24 and walking seven. It gave him a 1.326 WHIP, 1.6 HR%, 27.0 K–BB% (38.1 K%, 11.1 BB%), and 128.7 points — number four among NL closers.
September gave Martinez trouble. He held opponents scoreless in six of his eleven appearances (54.5 ScOtg%), going 2–2 in GE–BE. Despite not allowing a homer, he allowed six earned runs on 14 hits across 12 innings. Martinez faced 55 batters, striking out 16 and walking six. He had a 1.667 WHIP, 60.0 IS% (3-of-5), and 18.2 K–BB% (29.1 K%, 10.9 BB%). His point total in September fell 154.4 points from August, dropping to –25.7.
Sport Relay Team Reliever and Bullpen Rankings, September 2024
The Outlier
1. Los Angeles Dodgers (101.6, 1st in NL) ▲ +10 from August
207.5 Clutch, –6.8 Run Prevention, 5.7 Baserunners, –6.1 Command
The Elite
2. Detroit Tigers (64.0, 1st in AL) ▲ +13 from August
116.0 Clutch, 11.2 Run Prevention, 21.1 Baserunners, 0.1 Command
3. Kansas City Royals (63.6, 2nd in AL) ▲ +25 from August
106.5 Clutch, 18.2 Run Prevention, 20.8 Baserunners, 37.7 Command
Better Take an Early Lead…
4. Milwaukee Brewers (47.2, 2nd in NL) ▲ +9 from August
77.6 Clutch, 12.7 Run Prevention, 24.7 Baserunners, 28.8 Command
5. Cleveland Guardians (35.0, 3rd in AL) ▲ +9 from August
39.2 Clutch, 31.4 Run Prevention, 25.3 Baserunners, 38.3 Command
6. San Diego Padres (34.7, 3rd in NL) ▲ +11 from August
56.5 Clutch, 18.2 Run Prevention, 7.1 Baserunners, –13.7 Command
The Very Good
7. St Louis Cardinals (25.0, 4th in NL) ▲ +19 from August
45.3 Clutch, 5.4 Run Prevention, –1.0 Baserunners, 10.9 Command
8. Boston Red Sox (18.3, 4th in AL) ▲ +17 from August
39.0 Clutch, 2.2 Run Prevention, –8.3 Baserunners, –22.9 Command
The Good
9. Seattle Mariners (11.7, 5th in AL) ▲ +18 from August
12.7 Clutch, 7.2 Run Prevention, 13.7 Baserunners, 28.1 Command
10. San Francisco Giants (8.1, 5th in NL) ▼ –9 from August
17.4 Clutch, –0.7 Run Prevention, 5.4 Baserunners, –16.8 Command
11. Philadelphia Phillies (7.6, 6th in NL) ▼ –6 from August
17.4 Clutch, –1.6 Run Prevention, 0.0 Baserunners, –10.2 Command
Slightly above Average
12. Pittsburgh Pirates (6.2, 7th in NL) ▲ +17 from August
17.4 Clutch, –1.8 Run Prevention, 2.9 Baserunners, –42.7 Command
13. New York Yankees (4.1, 6th in AL) ▲ +5 from August
7.8 Clutch, –4.3 Run Prevention, 0.6 Baserunners, 31.1 Command
The Average
14. Oakland Athletics (1.6, 7th in AL) ▼ –6 from August
5.7 Clutch, –0.5 Run Prevention, –2.5 Baserunners, –16.6 Command
15. Atlanta Braves (0.4, 8th in NL) ▲ +4 from August
–20.5 Clutch, 19.5 Run Prevention, 9.2 Baserunners, 57.6 Command
16. Houston Astros (0.0, 8th in AL) ▼ –6 from August
6.4 Clutch, –10.0 Run Prevention, –13.1 Baserunners, 32.3 Command
17. Cincinnati Reds (–0.2, 9th in NL) ▲ +7 from August
14.3 Clutch, –16.5 Run Prevention, –16.3 Baserunners, 0.8 Command
18. Minnesota Twins (–1.2, 9th in AL) ▼ –16 from August
2.0 Clutch, –7.1 Run Prevention, –6.6 Baserunners, 19.8 Command
Slightly below Average
19. Tampa Bay Rays (–2.7, 10th in AL) ▼ –10 from August
19.9 Clutch, 25.2 Run Prevention, 16.4 Baserunners, 23.3 Command
20. Colorado Rockies (–3.6, 10th in NL) no change from August
–2.2 Clutch, –0.2 Run Prevention, –15.9 Baserunners, –17.4 Command
Lots of Work to Do
21. New York Mets (–7.5, 11th in NL) ▲ +2 from August
–20.5 Clutch, –1.4 Run Prevention, 10.6 Baserunners, 44.3 Command
22. Texas Rangers (–10.6, 11th in AL) ▼ –18 from August
–2.0 Clutch, –21.3 Run Prevention, –11.8 Baserunners, –20.4 Command
Stock Up on Tums
23. Miami Marlins (–12.2, 12th in NL) ▼ –2 from August
–23.1 Clutch, –5.0 Run Prevention, 9.1 Baserunners, 4.3 Command
24. Los Angeles Angels (–15.0, 12th in AL) ▼ –12 from August
–22.2 Clutch, –0.9 Run Prevention, –14.3 Baserunners, –42.9 Command
25. Chicago White Sox (–16.3, 13th in AL) ▲ +5 from August
–26.5 Clutch, 0.4 Run Prevention, –13.5 Baserunners, –38.0 Command
26. Washington Nationals (–18.4, 13th in NL) ▼ –10 from August
–27.6 Clutch, –9.0 Run Prevention, –9.1 Baserunners, –10.4 Command
Pray for a Blowout Win
27. Baltimore Orioles (–19.4, 14th in AL) ▼ –5 from August
–28.0 Clutch, –9.9 Run Prevention, –15.3 Baserunners, –7.4 Command
28. Chicago Cubs (–22.4, 14th in NL) ▼ –22 from August
–37.1 Clutch, –5.1 Run Prevention, –9.3 Baserunners, –22.1 Command
The Negative Outliers
29. Toronto Blue Jays (–41.9, 15th in AL) ▼ –26 from August
–67.7 Clutch, –13.8 Run Prevention, –14.5 Baserunners, –35.0 Command
30. Arizona Diamondbacks (–42.6, 15th in NL) ▼ –23 from August
–73.9 Clutch, –10.2 Run Prevention, –25.1 Baserunners, 8.3 Command
Team Category Boards
Sport Relay Individual Reliever and Bullpen Rankings, September 2024
Top Ten Lists
Top Five Lists
Full Individual Leaderboards
Also See:
August Awards, July Awards, June Awards, May Awards, April Awards. Week 9 Rankings, Week 8 Rankings, Week 7 Rankings, Week 5 Individual Rankings, Week 4 Individual Rankings.
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