{"id":21138,"date":"2026-07-31T13:16:45","date_gmt":"2026-07-31T20:16:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/?p=21138"},"modified":"2026-07-31T14:21:06","modified_gmt":"2026-07-31T21:21:06","slug":"reliever-roundup-bullpen-bonanza-week-17-rankings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/2026\/07\/31\/reliever-roundup-bullpen-bonanza-week-17-rankings\/","title":{"rendered":"Reliever Roundup & Bullpen Bonanza: Week 17 Rankings"},"content":{"rendered":"

Reliever Roundup & Bullpen Bonanza, Week 17 Rankings<\/strong><\/p>\n

Welcome to Reliever Roundup and Bullpen Bonanza! These analyses and rankings take it to a different level than the other reliever rankings and coverage you\u2019ve seen. We will separate our rankings by closers, setup men, and middle relievers. (We aren\u2019t going to worry about ranking long relievers; instead, we\u2019ll lump them in with the middle relievers.)<\/p>\n

For reference, at the end of play on July 29, the league-wide AL ERA was 4.16. This is for every pitch thrown by any player from an American League team. For the National League \u2014 over the same span and within the same parameters \u2014 it was 4.23. As for the rest of the stats, statistics are up to the end of play on<\/strong> Wednesday, July 29 <\/strong>unless otherwise noted, are for relief appearances only, and exclude position pitchers.<\/p>\n

To the reader: we use some statistics you do might not recognize. To help you out, we have a glossary page<\/a>. Furthermore, if a stat name is linked, click\/tap it to see, in a new tab, the definition of that stat.<\/p>\n

Click\/tap here to see the ranking method.<\/a><\/p>\n

League Averages:
\nAL \u2014 1.318 WHIP<\/a>, 2.8 HR%<\/a>, 12.9 K\u2013BB%<\/a>, 70.6 ScOtg% (ER)<\/a>, 2.7 GE\/BE<\/a>, 3.5 GE<\/a>, 30.9 IS%<\/a>.
\nNL \u2014 1.325 WHIP, 2.8 HR%, 12.6 K\u2013BB%, 70.6 ScOtg% (ER), 3.1 GE\/BE, 3.3 GE, 32.0 IS%.<\/p>\n

Away we go!<\/p>\n

Deadbolt Delivered<\/h4>\n

First, we will honor the relief units that slammed the door and threw away the key. Here are the updated totals for Door Slams!<\/p>\n

To get a Door Slam, a team must close out the game with at least three consecutive Goose Eggs. This string must be completely uninterrupted \u2014 there cannot be any Broken Eggs in there, there cannot be any Mehs in there, and there can\u2019t be any situation where the score differential is such that the pitcher doesn\u2019t get any of the three. It must be Goose Egg-Goose Egg-Goose Egg. Bang, bang, bang. At least three in a row.<\/p>\n

Why is this important?<\/em><\/strong> If a team gets a door slam, they completely shut the opponent down<\/em> en route to a narrow victory. When the last outs are on the line, it\u2019s lockdown only. The Door Slam celebrates those nights when the back end doesn\u2019t just protect the lead \u2014 it shuts the door, throws the deadbolt, and walks away with the key.<\/p>\n

Door Slam Totals<\/h5>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Door Slams by team, Week 17. A Door Slam is defined as a game that ends with a team getting three or more consecutive Goose Eggs without interruption of any kind. Statistics run through the end of play on July 29.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Door Slam Summation<\/h5>\n

Here is the list of each team\u2019s Door Slam totals at the end of Week 17. At this point, the Cleveland Guardians and Houston Astros had each played 110 games, and the remaining 28 teams had played between 107 and 109 games. As you can see from the numbers here, Door Slams are not easy to get and are not common. They aren\u2019t un<\/em>-common \u2014 we typically get at least one per day \u2014 but they aren\u2019t common<\/em>, either.<\/p>\n

The leaders in all of Major League Baseball at the end of play on Wednesday, July 29, were the Cincinnati Reds, with 10. In second place were the Atlanta Braves and Seattle Mariners, in a tie, with eight each. Seven teams had seven Goose Eggs each: the Athletics, Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox, Milwaukee Brewers, New York Mets, St Louis Cardinals, and Toronto Blue Jays. An additional seven had six door slams each: Cleveland Guardians, Colorado Rockies, Houston Astros, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Dodgers, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Texas Rangers.<\/p>\n

Three teams had five door slams each: the Arizona Diamondbacks, Minnesota Twins, and San Diego Padres. Four teams had four each: the Chicago Cubs, Detroit Tigers, Miami Marlins, and Philadelphia Phillies. The Baltimore Orioles had three Door Slams. The New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays were the only teams with two. Finally, three teams had one each: the Los Angeles Angels, San Francisco Giants, and Washington Nationals.<\/p>\n

In summary, over the first 17 weeks of the season, there were 158 total Door Slams league\u2011wide. The Reds led the pack with ten, followed by the Braves and Mariners with eight each. The Mariners also led the American League. Splitting it up by league, the National League had 81 Door Slams; the American League had 77.<\/p>\n

Week 17 Team Relief Corps Power Rankings<\/h4>\n

Now it is time for the team relief corps power rankings for Week 17. These rankings include every pitch thrown in relief by a player wearing their team\u2019s uniform \u2014 excluding position players \u2014 through the end of play on July 29. This table shows the scoring breakdown. Teams are ranked in Clutch, Run Prevention, Baserunner Prevention, and Command, weighted as shown. The final score determines the ranking. Zero means right at league average. Positive is better than average, negative is below average. A score of 100 means the team is 100% better than league average; a score of 50 is 50% better; a score of -50 is 50% lower, and so on. Each whole number equals one percentage point.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Pray for a Blowout Win:<\/h5>\n

30. Washington Nationals<\/strong><\/a> (-15.3, N.C.)
\n29. San Francisco Giants<\/strong><\/a> (-13.4, N.C.)
\n28. Detroit Tigers<\/strong><\/a> (-11.0, N.C.)<\/p>\n

Stock Up on Tums:<\/h5>\n

27. Kansas City Royals<\/strong><\/a> (-7.4, N.C.)
\n26. Los Angeles Angels<\/strong><\/a> (-5.4, N.C.)
\n25. Colorado Rockies<\/strong><\/a> (-4.1, -4)<\/p>\n

Lots of Work to Do:<\/h5>\n

24. Chicago Cubs<\/strong><\/a> (-0.6, +1)
\n\u200b23. St. Louis Cardinals<\/strong><\/a> (-0.4, N.C.)
\n22. Athletics<\/strong><\/a> (1.3, N.C.)
\n21. Texas Rangers<\/strong><\/a> (1.6, -1)
\n20. Minnesota Twins<\/strong><\/a> (2.6, +4)<\/p>\n

Below Average:
\n<\/strong><\/h5>\n

19. Philadelphia Phillies<\/strong><\/a> (8.2, -3)
\n18. Cincinnati Reds<\/strong><\/a> (8.4, +1)<\/p>\n

Slightly Below Average:
\n<\/strong><\/h5>\n

17. Baltimore Orioles<\/strong><\/a> (10.3, N.C.)
\n16. Tampa Bay Rays<\/strong><\/a> (10.9, +2)<\/p>\n

Slightly Above Average:
\n<\/strong><\/h5>\n

15. New York Mets<\/strong><\/a> (14.0, N.C.)
\n14. Chicago White Sox<\/strong><\/a> (14.1, -2)
\n13. Milwaukee Brewers<\/strong><\/a> (14.7, -2)
\n12. Pittsburgh Pirates<\/strong><\/a> (15.3, +1)<\/p>\n

Above Average:
\n<\/strong><\/h5>\n

11.\u202fNew York Yankees<\/strong><\/a> (19.0, +3)
\n10. Toronto Blue Jays<\/strong><\/a> (19.4, -1)<\/p>\n

The Decent:
\n<\/strong><\/h5>\n

9. Houston Astros<\/strong><\/a> (20.4, -1)
\n8. Atlanta Braves<\/strong><\/a> (20.6, -2)
\n7. Cleveland Guardians<\/strong><\/a> (20.7, -2)
\n6. Arizona Diamondbacks<\/strong><\/a> (21.3, +4)<\/p>\n

The Very Good:
\n<\/strong><\/h5>\n

5.\u202fMiami Marlins<\/strong><\/a> (22.7, -1)
\n<\/strong>4.\u202fBoston Red Sox<\/strong><\/a> (23.5, +3)<\/p>\n

Better Take an Early Lead:
\n<\/strong><\/h5>\n

3.\u202fSeattle Mariners<\/strong><\/a> (29.8, -1)
\n<\/strong>2.\u202fLos Angeles Dodgers<\/strong><\/a> (32.3, -1)
\n<\/strong>1.\u202fSan Diego Padres<\/strong><\/a> (32.4, +2)<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a look at this week\u2019s Scatter Plot. You\u2019ll notice there were some areas that clustered up this week.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Through end of play July 29. Chart, rankings, and ranking methods created by Evan M. Thompson.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

And the line graph of every team\u2019s rankings in the season so far, week by week.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Through end of play July 29. Chart, rankings, and ranking methods created by Evan M. Thompson.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Week 17 Individual Power Rankings<\/h4>\n

Here are the Individual Power Rankings for Week 17. Statistics include every regular-season game up through the end of play on July 29. To qualify for the rankings, there is a minimum of 22 relief appearances<\/strong>, and for the GE\/BE-plus statistic, which forms 2\/3 of the \u201cClutch\u201d category we use to rate setup men and closers, there is a minimum of 11 GE+BE<\/strong>. This week, Josh Hader<\/a><\/strong> and Emilio Pagan<\/a><\/strong> will seem to have suddenly appeared out of nowhere. There is a simple and innocent reason, though \u2014 they now enough appearances to qualify for the leaderboards.<\/p>\n

A note on the roles: if a team is using Co-Closers, we list both as closers. If it is \u201cCloser by Committee,\u201d we list all members of that committee as setup men.<\/p>\n

Also of note: if someone\u2019s role has recently shifted, such as a middle man being moved to setup or closing, we kept him as a middle reliever if his GE+BE is too low for him to get a rating in GE\/BE-plus. (Example: Brandyn Garcia<\/a><\/strong>)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

AL Middle\/Long Relievers<\/strong><\/h5>\n

\u200b<\/strong>10. Trevor Richards<\/a><\/strong> (CHW) \u2014 12.3
\n9. Ian Seymour<\/a><\/strong> (TB) \u2014 13.5
\n\u200b8. Jos\u00e9 Fermin<\/a><\/strong> (LAA) \u2014 13.5
\n\u200b7. Grant Wolfram<\/a><\/strong> (BAL) \u2014 17.8
\n\u200b6. Rico Garcia<\/a><\/strong> (BAL) \u2014 18.9
\n\u200b5. Erik Sabrowski<\/a><\/strong> (CLE) \u2014 19.7
\n\u200b4. Spencer Miles<\/a><\/strong> (TOR) \u2014 20.7
\n\u200b3. Gabe Speier<\/a><\/strong> (SEA) \u2014 21.3
\n\u200b2. Jovani Mor\u00e1n<\/a><\/strong> (BOS) \u2014 22.7
\n\u200b1. Tyron Guerrero<\/a><\/strong> (BOS) \u2014 40.7<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/h5>\n
NL Middle\/Long Relievers<\/strong><\/h5>\n

\u200b<\/strong>10. Taylor Clarke<\/a><\/strong> (ARI) \u2014 12.3
\n\u200b9. Jack Dreyer<\/a><\/strong> (LAD) \u2014 17.6
\n\u200b8. Edgardo Henriquez<\/a><\/strong> (LAD) \u2014 17.7
\n\u200b7. Huascar Brazob\u00e1n<\/a><\/strong> (NYM) \u2014 23.1
\n\u200b6. Brennan Bernardino<\/a><\/strong> (COL) \u2014 24.7
\n\u200b5. John King<\/a><\/strong> (MIA) \u2014 25.6
\n\u200b4. Alex Vesia<\/a><\/strong> (LAD) \u2014 25.8
\n\u200b3. A.J. Minter<\/a><\/strong> (NYM) \u2014 26.1
\n\u200b2. Dylan Dodd<\/a><\/strong> (ATL) \u2014 28.8
\n\u200b1. Brandyn Garcia (ARI) \u2014 51.1<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/h5>\n
AL Setup Men<\/strong><\/h5>\n

\u200b<\/strong>10. Bryan Hudson<\/a><\/strong> (CHW) \u2014 81.9
\n\u200b9. Hunter Gaddis<\/a><\/strong> (CLE) \u2014 90.4
\n\u200b8. Kevin Kelly<\/a><\/strong> (TB) \u2014 91.2
\n\u200b7. Sam Bachman<\/a><\/strong> (LAA) \u2014 94.8
\n\u200b6. Daniel Lynch IV<\/a><\/strong> (KCR) \u2014 126.1
\n\u200b5. Brent Headrick<\/a><\/strong> (NYY) \u2014 130.0
\n\u200b4. Tyler Rogers<\/a><\/strong> (TOR) \u2014 132.7
\n\u200b3. Garrett Whitlock<\/a><\/strong> (BOS) \u2014 141.4
\n\u200b2. Grant Taylor<\/a><\/strong> (CHW) \u2014 158.6
\n\u200b1. Steven Okert<\/a><\/strong> (HOU) \u2014 220.3<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/h5>\n
NL Setup Men<\/strong><\/h5>\n

\u200b<\/strong>10. Jacob Webb<\/a><\/strong> (CHC) \u2014 75.0
\n\u200b9. Dylan Lee<\/a><\/strong> (ATL) \u2014 81.6
\n\u200b8. Michael Petersen<\/a><\/strong> (MIA) \u2014 90.6
\n\u200b7. Orion Kerkering<\/a><\/strong> (PHL) \u2014 103.7
\n\u200b6. Juan Morillo<\/a><\/strong> (ARI) \u2014 104.1
\n\u200b5. Abner Uribe<\/a><\/strong> (MIL) \u2014 107.4
\n\u200b4. Adri\u00e1n Morej\u00f3n<\/a><\/strong> (SD) \u2014 136.1
\n\u200b3. Tanner Scott<\/a><\/strong> (LAD) \u2014 139.0
\n\u200b2. Brock Burke<\/a><\/strong> (CIN) \u2014 145.7
\n\u200b1. Luke Weaver<\/a><\/strong> (NYM) \u2014 303.5<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/h5>\n
AL Closers<\/strong><\/h5>\n

\u200b<\/strong>We\u2019ll include #6 and #7 also, since they both broke 100.<\/p>\n

7. Bryan Baker<\/a><\/strong> (TB) \u2014 102.3
\n6. Aroldis Chapman<\/a><\/strong> (BOS) \u2014 111.0
\n5. David Bednar<\/a><\/strong> (NYY) \u2014 125.2
\n\u200b4. Jacob Latz<\/a><\/strong> (TEX) \u2014 130.4
\n\u200b3. Louis Varland<\/a><\/strong> (TOR) \u2014 161.5
\n\u200b2. Cade Smith<\/a><\/strong> (CLE) \u2014 176.6
\n1. Josh Hader (HOU) \u2014 240.4<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

NL Closers<\/strong><\/h5>\n

\u200b<\/strong>5. Mason Montgomery<\/a><\/strong> (PIT) \u2014 107.0
\n\u200b4. Trevor Megill<\/a><\/strong> (MIL) \u2014 107.8
\n\u200b3. Riley O\u2019Brien (STL) \u2014 134.4
\n\u200b2. Gregory Soto<\/a><\/strong> (PIT) \u2014 166.6
\n\u200b1. Mason Miller<\/a><\/strong> (SD) \u2014 352.3<\/p>\n

League Averages<\/strong><\/h5>\n

AL \u2014 1.318 WHIP<\/a>, 2.8 HR%<\/a>, 12.9 K\u2013BB%<\/a>, 70.6 ScOtg% (ER)<\/a>, 2.7 GE\/BE<\/a>, 3.5 GE<\/a>, 30.9 IS%<\/a>.
\nNL \u2014 1.325 WHIP, 2.8 HR%, 12.6 K\u2013BB%, 70.6 ScOtg% (ER), 3.1 GE\/BE, 3.3 GE, 32.0 IS%.<\/p>\n

Week 17 in Detail<\/strong><\/h4>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Week 17 Team Ranking Totals, complete with Category Scores. Through end of play July 29. Excludes position pitchers. All rankings only include each reliever’s stats with said team. (Table and rankings methods by Evan M. Thompson.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Week 17 Team Clutch Totals and Scores. Through end of play July 29. Excludes position pitchers. All rankings only include each reliever’s stats with said team. (Table and rankings methods by Evan M. Thompson.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Week 17 Meh Penalties. Through end of play July 29. Excludes position pitchers. All rankings only include each reliever’s stats with said team. (Table and rankings methods by Evan M. Thompson.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Week 17 Team Run Prevention Totals and Scores. Through end of play July 29. Excludes position pitchers. All rankings only include each reliever’s stats with said team. (Table and rankings methods by Evan M. Thompson.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Week 17 Team Baserunner Prevention Totals and Scores. Through end of play July 29. Excludes position pitchers. All rankings only include each reliever’s stats with said team. (Table and rankings methods by Evan M. Thompson.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Week 17 Team Command Totals and Scores. Through end of play July 29. Excludes position pitchers. All rankings only include each reliever’s stats with said team. (Table and rankings methods by Evan M. Thompson.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Individual Rankings<\/h5>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Week 17 AL Middle and Long Reliever Top Ten. Through end of play July 29. Minimum 22 games in relief. (Table and ranking methods by Evan M. Thompson.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Week 17 NL Middle Reliever Top Ten. Through end of play July 29. Minimum 22 games in relief. (Table and ranking methods by Evan M. Thompson.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Week 17 AL Setup Man Top Ten. Through end of play July 29. Minimum 22 games in relief and 11 GE+BE. (Table and ranking methods by Evan M. Thompson.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Week 17 NL Setup Man Top Ten. Through end of play July 29. Minimum 22 games in relief and 11 GE+BE. (Table and ranking methods by Evan M. Thompson.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Week 17 AL Closers Top Five, plus six and seven. Through end of play July 29. Minimum 22 games in relief and 11 GE+BE. (Table and ranking methods by Evan M. Thompson.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Week 17 NL Closers Top Five. Through end of play July 29. Minimum 22 games in relief and 11 GE+BE. (Table and ranking methods by Evan M. Thompson.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Main Photo:<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>