Fantasy Baseball – Reliever Power Rankings: Week 8

May 22, 2012

FANTASY BASEBALL

Reliever Power Rankings – Week 8

By WunderChad

This is a list of the top 50 relief pitchers in baseball in order of their projected value for the rest of the season, along with the reason for any changes from the previous week. Only pitchers who are currently in relief roles will be considered for the list.

Rank	Pitcher	Change
1.	Craig Kimbrel, ATL	↔
2.	Jonathan Papelbon, PHI	↔
3.	Kenley Jansen, LAD	↔
4.	Aroldis Chapman, CIN	↑11
5.	John Axford, MIL	↓1
6.	Joel Hanrahan, PIT	↑2
7.	Jim Johnson, BAL	↑2
8.	Rafael Betancourt, COL	↓2
9.	Jason Motte, STL	↓2
10.	Fernando Rodney, TB	↑2
11.	Joe Nathan, TEX	↔
12.	Brett Myers, HOU	↑1
13.	Santiago Casilla, SF	↑5
14.	Jose Valverde, DET	↓1
15.	Chris Perez, CLE	↑4
16.	Brandon League, SEA	↔
17.	Jonathan Broxton, KC	↑3
18.	J.J. Putz, ARI	↑3
19.	Matt Capps, MIN	↑6
20.	Scott Downs, LAA	↑6
21.	Alfredo Aceves, BOS	↑3
22.	Addison Reed, CHW	↑5
23.	David Robertson, NYY	↓18
24.	Henry Rodriguez, WAS	↓14
25.	Jonny Venters, ATL	↓3
26.	Rafael Soriano, NYY	↑3
27.	Sergio Santos, TOR	↓4
28.	Dale Thayer, SD	↑4
29.	Brian Fuentes, OAK	↑1
30.	Heath Bell, MIA	↑7
31.	Casey Janssen, TOR	↑8
32.	Rafael Dolis, CHC	↓4
33.	Ernesto Frieri, LAA	↑15
34.	Tyler Clippard, WAS	↔
35.	David Hernandez, ARI	↓2
36.	Mike Adams, TEX	↓1
37.	Huston Street, SD	↓1
38.	Sean Burnett, WAS	NEW
39.	Matt Thornton, CHW	↓8
40.	Drew Storen, WAS	↓2
41.	Frank Francisco, NYM	↓1
42.	Tom Wilhelmsen, SEA	↑3
43.	Ryan Cook, OAK	NEW
44.	Sergio Romo, SF	↓3
45.	Joaquin Benoit, DET	↓3
46.	Sean Marshall, CIN	↓19
47.	Vinnie Pestano, CLE	NEW
48.	Jon Rauch, NYM	↓2
49.	Francisco Rodriguez, MIL	↑1
50.	James Russell, CHC	NEW

Up Most:

Aroldis Chapman, up 11, due to being named closer.
Casey Janssen, up 8, due to Santos being out longer than expected.
Heath Bell, up 7, due to good performance.
Matt Capps, up 6, due to good performance.
Scott Downs, up 6, due to good performance.

Added to List:

Sean Burnett, due to H-Rod’s struggles.
Ryan Cook, due to good performance.
Vinnie Pestano, due to good performance.
James Russell, due to Dolis’ struggles.

Down Most:

Sean Marshall, down 19, due to losing closer role.
David Robertson, down 18, due to injury.
Henry Rodriguez, down 14, due to poor performance.
Matt Thornton, down 8, due to Reed’s good performance.

Dropped from List:

Grant Balfour, due to poor performance.
Steve Cishek, due to Bell’s good performance.
Javy Guerra, due to Jansen’s good performance.
Andrew Cashner, due to Thayer’s good performance.

Today’s must-watch game: ATL @ CIN, 7:10pm ET. Brandon Beachy, owner of the best ERA (1.33) in the majors, faces Mat Latos, who after a slow start has pitched much better, allowing just 12 hits in his last 3 starts.

Don’t forget to follow me on twitter @WunderChad and join Beast Dome to chat live with the experts.

May 22, 2012