My May 19th Relief Rankings will be similar to my May 8th Relief Rankings. This list is my projected value of these relief guys for the rest of the season. If you haven't read my May 19th Hitter Rankings or my May 19th Starting Pitcher Rankings feel free to do so. Hit me on twitter if you want to discuss my selections in depth.
@Awies28

May 19th Relief Ranks
1. Craig Kimbrel ATL (1)
2. Jonathan Papelbon PHI (2)
3. Kenley Jansen LAD (8)
4. John Axford MIL (3)

Kenley Jansen makes a 5 spot climb into the number 3 slot this week. Jansen has 33 K's in 20.1 inning this season. At this rate he will challenge Kimbrel for the number one spot within a few weeks. Axford only has one save this month although he still has accumulated 9 strikeouts in 4.2 innings in May so far. I'm not worried about the saves, they'll be there by season's end.

5. Jason Motte STL (4)
6. Rafeal Betancourt COL (6)
7. Joe Nathan TEX (10)

Joe Nathan moves up 3 spots and is 9 for 10 on save chances this year. More impressively, Nathan has 21 strikeouts in 17.2 innings so far. Betencourt this year has over a 3:1 K:B ratio and is on pace for a solid year for a Rockies offense that can explode at any time.

8. Jim Johnson BAL (9)
9. Fernando Rodney TB (12)
10. Joel Hanrahan PIT (5)
11. Jose Valverde DET (NR)
12. Chris Perez CLE (13)

Jose Valverde, when healthy, is a top 10 closer. He is currently dealing with a back injury but should be good to go for this upcoming week. Fernando Rodney continues to be great this year, he hasn't blown a save in 2012. I think Chris Perez has finally figured things out as well. Over Perez's last 3 outings he has 2 saves, 5 strikeouts all in 2.2 innings (1 hit and 1 walk).

13. Santaigo Casilla SF (15)
14. Brett Myers HOU (16)
15. J.J. Putz ARI (14)
16. Sean Marshall CIN (11)

I'm not a Sean Marshall fan this year but I still think he will finish in the top 20. He was pulled from Saturday's game against the Yankees but I don't think that will open the door for Chapman. Santaigo Casilla has gotten some twitter traffic on my account lately. Casilla isn't a strikeout guy but he will shut down any team in order to get the save.

17. Brandon League SEA (17)
18. Henry Rodriguez WAS (7)
19. Aroldis Chapman CIN (20)
20. Jonathan Broxton KC (22)

The wheels are loosening on Henry Rodriguez's bike and are about to fall out. Hopefully, for the sake of National's fans, Storen will return right when Rodriguez implodes. I would go get Storen to handcuff Rodriguez, Lidge is a non factor Although Aroldis Chapman isn't a closer he offers tremendous value as a set up man. He still hasn't given up a run all season.

21. Rafael Soriano NYY (24)
22. Addison Reed CHW (NR)

Soriano and Reed have both recently been named their team's closers. I think this will up their value moving forward and now we have to wait and see how they react to being named the stopper. So far, neither of them have blown a save. This year Reed has 4 saves and Soriano has 2.

23. Frank Francisco NYM (18)
24. Heath Bell MIA (NR)
25. Matt Capps MIN (27)
26. Alfredo Aceves BOS (26)

Heath Bell has started to get save chances again but be careful if your an owner. With his contract it's more than likely he will get every chance possible to remain the guy but his horrible start to the season makes me question whether or not he should even be on here.

27. Sergio Santos TOR (NR)
28. Scott Downs LAA (28)
29. Mike Adams TEX (29)
30. Huston Street SD (NR)

Sergio Santos is about 3 weeks away from returning so if your looking to grab a closer go get him. He has the "stuff" to be elite, he just has to stay healthy. I can see big things coming for the Blue Jays in the near future.




There you have the second edition of my relief rankings. Feel free to hit me on twitter if you want to discuss any of these pitchers or someone you think I missed out on @Awies28

Alex Wiesner