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MLB Top 10 Relief Pitchers Right Now: No Dodgers Ranked By The Shredder

Matt Borelli
3 Min Read
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

For a third consecutive season, the Los Angeles Dodgers were not represented on MLB Network’s The Shredder’s list of top 10 relief pitchers.

The Shredder looked at a two-year sample for relief pitchers when determining its 2021 rankings, but weighed this past season more heavily.

New Chicago White Sox closer Liam Hendriks claimed the top spot for 2021, after a dominant two-year stretch with the Oakland Athletics. The right-hander was the most valuable reliever in baseball, accumulating 5.2 WAR (FanGraphs) while posting a 1.66 ERA over 97 games.

The rest of the list, in order, consists of Drew Pomeranz, Devin Williams, Nick Anderson, James Karinchak, Brad Hand, Aroldis Chapman, Aaron Bummer, Tyler Duffey and Josh Hader. Of the group, only Hendricks, Chapman and Hader appeared on The Shredder’s 2020 rankings.

MLB Network analysts Sarah Langs and Mike Petriello each had Hendriks atop their respective lists as well, but Vince Gennaro selected Hader for his No. 1 spot.

While the Dodgers weren’t featured on The Shredder’s 2021 rankings, it is worth noting their bullpen was among the league’s best last season. The unit finished third in FanGraphs’ WAR (3.5), trailing only the Tampa Bay Rays and Minnesota Twins (3.6 each).

Jake McGee, who is now a free agent, led the Dodgers bullpen with 0.7 WAR last season, posting a 2.66 ERA in 20.1 innings. Other standouts include Victor Gonzalez, who posted a 1.40 ERA as a rookie; and Adam Kolarek, whose 0.95 ERA was the lowest among L.A. relievers with a minimum of 15 innings pitched.

The Dodgers bullpen has undergone somewhat of a makeover this offseason, with Corey Knebel, Tommy Kahnle and Brandon Morrow among the new additions. Blake Treinen was re-signed, but the club is still searching for another high-leverage and could look to add Hand, who would help fortify the closer role.

L.A. also is said to have significant interest in signing former San Diego Padres closer Kirby Yates, who ranked No. 1 on the Shredder’s list of top 10 relievers as recently as the 2020 season.

MLB Top 10 relief pitchers right now for 2021

RankThe ShredderMike PetrielloSarah Langs Vince Gennaro
1Liam Hendriks (White Sox)Liam Hendriks (White Sox)Liam Hendriks (White Sox)Josh Hader (Brewers)
2Drew Pomeranz (Padres)Nick Anderson (Rays)Devin Williams (Brewers)Nick Anderson (Rays)
3Devin Williams (Brewers)Devin Williams (Brewers)Josh Hader (Brewers)Ryan Pressly (Astros)
4Nick Anderson (Rays)Josh Hader (Brewers)Nick Anderson (Rays)Liam Hendriks (White Sox)
5James Karinchak (Indians)Drew Pomeranz (Padres)Aroldis Chapman (Yankees)Giovanny Gallegos (Cardinals)
6Brad Hand (free agent)Aroldis Chapman (Yankees)Zack Britton (Yankees)Zack Britton (Yankees)
7Aroldis Chapman (Yankees)James Karinchak (Indians)Raisel Iglesias (Angels)
Devin Williams (Brewers)
8Aaron Bummer (White Sox)Edwin Diaz (Mets)James Karinchak (Indians)Aroldis Chapman (Yankees)
9Tyler Duffey (Twins)Raisel Iglesias (Angels)
Drew Pomeranz (Padres)Amir Garrett (Reds)
10Josh Hader (Brewers)Brad Hand (free agent)Seth Lugo (Mets)Kirby Yates (free agent)

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Matt Borelli covers the Los Angeles Dodgers as a staff writer for Dodger Blue and holds similar responsibilities for Lakers Nation, a sister site with an emphasis on the Los Angeles Lakers. He also contributes to RamsNewswire.com and RaidersNewswire.com. An avid fantasy sports player, Matt is a former 2014 MLB Beat the Streak co-champion. His favorite Dodgers moment, among a list of many, is Clayton Kershaw's no-hitter against the Colorado Rockies in 2014. Follow him on Twitter: @mcborelli.