MLB’s Top Players at every Position in 2022: Relief Pitcher
For every rotation, there has to be an even better bullpen. Closers are of course the most dominant, but there are six to seven other guys in the pen who are just as important. We’ll be looking at the best relief pitchers, not closing pitchers for 2022.
1. Evan Phillips, Los Angeles Dodgers
Of course, it’s another Dodger. But Phillips deserves it, as the 27-year-old came out of nowhere here in 2022. Phillips had a 1.14 ERA in 63 innings pitched with 19 holds. He struck out 77 batters and had an exceptional 1.94 FIP. His 2.8 WAR was the best of his career and Philips was as reliable as a reliever could get. He has closer potential, but for now, he will remain an elite reliever
2. Jason Adam, Tampa Bay Rays
The Rays know how to develop pitching, as they were able to transform Adam to an elite level here in 2022. In 63 innings, Adam posted a 1.56 ERA with a 0.75 WHIP and 75 strikeouts. Hitters were unable to make solid contact off him, as Adam posted a 27.5 hard-hit percentage. His 21 holds were one of the best and the 30-year-old righty will look to repeat this success in 2023.
3. Ryne Stanek, Houston Astros
This Houston team seems to have it all. Their bullpen was just as good as their rotation, and Stanek was an excellent setup man for the 2022 season. In his second season with the Astros, Stanek pitched in 54 innings with 62 strikeouts and a 1.15 ERA. He also collected 17 holds and altogether only allowed 7 earned runs. He may not have been closer, but his stuff definitely puts him in consideration if something happens to Ryan Pressly.
4. A.J. Minter, Atlanta Braves
Besides the shortened 2020 season, Minter has the best season of not only his career but among relievers this season. He had a 2.06 ERA in 70 innings and was six strikeouts short of 100 in that frame. He’s the perfect setup-style reliever, as his 34 holds were the most in all of baseball. Minter boosted his K/9 to 12.1 and did it all by only making 2.2 million dollars from the team. He’s only 28, and this season continues to boost the lefties value.
5. Cionel Pérez, Baltimore Orioles
It was quite the season for the O’s, and their bullpen was a big part of their success. Perez was one of them, posting a 1.40 ERA in 57 innings of work. He only gave up two home runs all year while striking out 55. His 2.80 FIP was the best of his young career, despite the walks being a bit higher with 21 total. The young reliever still produced an excellent season, and will hope to continue that with an Oriole team that has a shot at the postseason next year.
6. Anthony Bass, Toronto Blue Jays
Bass has one of the best sliders in the game, and he continued to put it to work in 2022. In 70 innings between the Marlins and Jays, Bass had a 1.54 ERA with a 1.00 WHIP and 73 strikeouts. His SO/9 was 9.3, the best of his career. Bass was also in the 88th percentile in terms of Whiff percentage, leading to those strikeouts. It was a disappointing ending for this Jays team, but their bullpen with Bass included will be back.
7. Erik Swanson, Seattle Mariners
The magical season for the Mariners was powered by an elite bullpen. Swanson was a big contributor and perhaps the best non-closer in their bullpen. In 53 innings, Swanson had a 1.68 ERA with 70 strikeouts and 14 holds. He only walked 10 batters, one of which was an intentional walk. Swanson still picked up three saves on the season, making him versatile to save or hold games.
8. Jhoan Durán, Minnesota Twins
The rookie reliever was exceptional out of the Twins bullpen and has a very bright future. In 67 innings pitched, Duran posted a 1.86 ERA with a whopping 89 strikeouts. He struggled to locate that 100+ mph fastball at times, but the 11.8 SO/9 shows that he was getting plenty of swings and misses. That K% was in the 96th percentile in MLB, along with his 94% Whiff percentage. The 24-year-old can throw hard, and it’s likely he’ll become this teams closer soon.
9. Alexis Diaz, Cincinnati Reds
Brother of the elite closer Edwin Diaz, Alexis Diaz had himself just as good of a season. The Reds were atrocious, but his 1.84 ERA in 63 innings was rather exceptional. Diaz recorded 83 strikeouts, being a big swing-and-miss guy like his brother. He also put together 13 holds and 10 saves on the season. It’s worth noting it was his rookie season, so even for an awful Reds team, he has potential.
10. Matt Moore, Texas Rangers
Moore is more known for being a starter, which he was for 10 seasons. This season, he was strictly bullpen, pitching 63 games out of relief. The lefty was one of the best of the season out of that Rangers pen. It was a total of 74 innings for Moore, who posted a 1.95 ERA and recorded 83 strikeouts. A 0.4 HR/9 was one of the best, and his ability to go long innings provided twice as much value as a normal reliever. He’s had a pretty average career, but this 2022 season is definitely one Moore will remember.
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