I may sound like a broken record but there are dozens of ways to evaluate a pitchers ability. I prefer using advanced metrics because, while the math may be biased towards a skill or set of skills it removes individual preferences (I stubbornly like Dennis Eckersely over Mariano Rivera or vice versa, regardless of what numbers tell me). Below is a list of the best relief pitchers from the 2017 season based on RE24. Often times relievers are brought into situations where the other team is threatening to score. Stats like ERA aren’t good at telling us how well he did his job: stop the other team from scoring or minimize the scoring. RE24 is a good measure of how well a pitcher prevented runs from scoring, whether he is “responsible” (in terms of ERA) for them or not. Relievers are broken down into two categories: non-closers and closers. A pitcher with 10 or fewer saves is considered a non-closer and a player with more than 10 is considered a closer. Take a look at the names and the numbers and see if you agree.

Non-Closers

• 5. Steve Cishek



• Positions: Relief Pitcher
• Teams: Seattle Mariners, Tampa Bay Rays

Steve Cishek

RE24	G	W	L	ERA	IP	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	SO/9	WHIP
15.14	49	3	2	2.01	44.2	1	10	10	14	41	8.3	0.896

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• 4. Pat Neshek



• Positions: Relief Pitcher
• Teams: Philadelphia Phillies, Colorado Rockies

Pat Neshek

RE24	G	W	L	ERA	IP	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	SO/9	WHIP
21.26	71	5	3	1.59	62.1	1	13	11	6	69	10.0	0.866

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• 3. Archie Bradley



• Positions: Relief Pitcher
• Teams: Arizona Diamondbacks

Archie Bradley

RE24	G	W	L	ERA	IP	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	SO/9	WHIP
27.04	63	3	3	1.73	73	1	14	14	21	79	9.7	1.041

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• 2. Andrew Miller



• Positions: Relief Pitcher
• Teams: Cleveland Indians

Andrew Miller

RE24	G	W	L	ERA	IP	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	SO/9	WHIP
26.55	57	4	3	1.44	62.2	2	11	10	21	95	13.6	0.830

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• 1. Chad Green



• Positions: Relief Pitcher
• Teams: New York Yankees

Chad Green

RE24	G	W	L	ERA	IP	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	SO/9	WHIP
28.48	40	5	0	1.83	69	0	14	14	17	103	13.4	0.739

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Closers

• 5. Brad Hand



• Positions: Relief Pitcher
• Teams: San Diego Padres

Brad Hand

RE24	G	W	L	ERA	IP	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	SO/9	WHIP
23.28	72	3	4	2.16	79.1	21	20	19	20	104	11.8	0.933

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• 4. Corey Knebel



• Positions: Relief Pitcher
• Teams: Milwaukee Brewers

Corey Knebel

RE24	G	W	L	ERA	IP	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	SO/9	WHIP
23.73	76	1	4	1.78	76	39	15	15	40	126	14.9	1.158

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• 3. David Robertson



• Positions: Relief Pitcher
• Teams: Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees

David Robertson

RE24	G	W	L	ERA	IP	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	SO/9	WHIP
21.04	61	9	2	1.84	68.1	14	14	14	23	98	12.9	0.849

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• 2. Kenley Jansen



• Positions: Relief Pitcher
• Teams: Los Angeles Dodgers

Kenley Jansen

RE24	G	W	L	ERA	IP	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	SO/9	WHIP
22.87	65	5	0	1.32	68.1	41	11	10	7	109	14.4	0.746

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• 1. Craig Kimbrel



• Positions: Relief Pitcher
• Teams: Boston Red Sox

Craig Kimbrel

RE24	G	W	L	ERA	IP	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	SO/9	WHIP
28.08	67	5	0	1.43	69	35	11	11	14	126	16.4	0.681

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Published by Dave Franks

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