With two months of the season finished, one must remember it’s just past one-third of the season. Do not overreact. But, this process will focus on underlying metrics, hard statistical data, and comparing results from April to May.
Team Saves
- May, 2024: 199 saves
- May, 2023: 208 saves
Blown Saves
- May, 2024: 115 blown saves
- May, 2023: 131 blown saves
Save Opportunities
- May, 2024: 314 save chances
- May, 2023: 339 save chances
Year-to-Date (through May)
- 2024: 439 saves, 257 blown saves, 696 save opportunities
- 2023: 418 saves, 249 blown saves, 667 save opportunities
Leverage Trends by Relievers
Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/qAal7/1/
One notices that saves remain more concentrated this year, especially for closers with more than 14 saves. Last year, only Emmanuel Clase reached this mark by the end of May, but this year, he’s joined by:
- Ryan Helsley (STL) – 18 saves
- Emmanuel Clase (CLE) – 17 saves
- Robert Suarez (SDP) – 17 saves
- Clay Holmes (NYY) – 16 saves
- Kyle Finnegan (WSH) – 15 saves
Individual Results and Trends
During May, six relievers recorded at least six saves without suffering a blown one:
- Jhoan Durán (MIN) – 8 saves
- Ryan Helsley (STL) – 8 saves
- Andrés Muñoz (SEA) – 7 saves
- Robert Suarez (SDP) – 7 saves
- David Bednar (PIT) – 6 saves
- Craig Kimbrel (BAL) – 6 saves
Unlike in April, when only one qualified reliever (Mason Miller) recorded a K-BB percentage greater than 20, a swinging strike rate over 15 percent, a strike percentage over 65 percent, and a contact rate allowed below 65 percent, there were eight in May:
Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/9tkhF/1/
These relievers qualified in three of the four categories during May:
Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/qTUDp/1/
Shifting gears, here were the SOLDS (saves plus holds) leaders in May
Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/UQwMf/1/
Here are the SOLDS leaders for the season through the end of May
Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/yoU4j/1/
For those in leagues with holds as a separate category, the leaders in May:
Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/l4Voe/1/
Here are the Holds leaders for the season through the end of May:
Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/7reY9/1/
Two key indicators for success by relievers are K-BB percentage and swinging strike rate. Leaders from each category in May are as follows:
Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/7QfJy/1/
Strikeouts and WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) should also be monitored closely by fantasy managers. Here are the leaders in these categories for May.
Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/zFWXJ/1/
It’s been two great months providing information at Closer Monkey. More volatility awaits, along with the trade deadline in less than 60 days. Stay safe and be well.
Statistical Credits:
