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| Koji Uehara (5) |
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| Jonny Venters (4) |
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| Mike Adams (3) |
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| Sergio Romo (1) |
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| Eric O'Flaherty (2) |
5) Koji Uehara: Koji Uehara has been one of the most consistent relievers in MLB since making his debut with the Orioels. Since then, Uehara has gone on to pitch for the Texas Rangers, and he will pitch this upcoming season with the Boston Red Sox. Uehara has spent only four years in the Majors, but in those four seasons he has posted an ERA of 2.89, pitched 211.2 innings, saved 14 games, posted a 9.8 SO/9 (Strikeouts for nine innings) and posted a K/BB (Strikeout to walk ratio) of 7.97. Both of the stats mentioned above are great measurements for a reliever since it is vital for relievers to post a lot of strikeouts while walking few, and a good SO/9 is at least nine. Uehara has excelled pretty well in both categories. Uehara has also pitched at least 44 3/4 of his seasons, and pitched to an ERA of under 3.00 as well. However, Uehara does not come close to comparing to the remaining four pitchers on this list.
4) Jonny Venters: Venters has been a dominant reliever for the Atlanta Braves since 2010, being nothing short of outstanding. Over those three seasons, Venters has compiled a 2.23 ERA, pitched 229 innings, has recorded 6 saves. What's more is that out of those three years, Venters has pitched to an ERA below 2.00 and pitched over 80 innings(2010: 1.95 ERA, 83 IP; 2011: 1.84 ERA, 88 IP). The flame throwing lefty took a step back in 2012, posting a 3.22 ERA, and while he failed to to pitch at least 80 innings last season, he still pitched 63 innings which is still impressive, especially considering Venters was plagued by injury. While the next hurler on this list also took a step back most likely due to injury, their is a good reason that he surpasses Venters.
3) Mike Adams: Mike Adams has been one of the best setup men in baseball over the last handful of seasons. Like Venters, Adams took a step backwards in 2012 as the right handed hurler suffered from Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. Adams posted decent numbers, but numbers which were inconsistent with his career, specifically over the last few seasons. In 2012, Adams posted a 3.27 ERA in 52 innings, while managing to pick up one save. These numbers are decent for a reliever, but they are a far cry from Adams career statistics. Over his career, Adams has accumulated a 2.28 ERA, pitched 363 innings, and recorded 4 saves. Adams has absolutely dominated opposing hitters over the course of his career, and since 2009 he has been phenomenal, excluding 2012. Over those other three seasons, Adams has pitched for the San Diego Padres and the Texas Rangers. During those seasons he has pitched in at least 37 innings and posted an ERA under 2.00; 2009-2011 in order: (37 IP, 0.73 ERA; 66 IP, 1.75 ERA; 73 IP, 1.47 ERA). Adams ranks ahead of Venters because he has a longer track record, and he does not have an arsenal as potentially dangerous as Venters does. However, one of Venters Bullpen mates has been nearly un-hittable since he began pitching for the Atlanta Braves.
2) Eric O'Flaherty: Eric O'Flaherty has been unbelievable since he began pitching for the Atlanta Braves in 2009. Honestly, I thought O'Flaherty came up through the Braves farm system, that is incorrect however, he was actually claimed off waivers from the Seattle Mariners. The Mariners seemingly had a good reason for placing O'Flaherty on waivers, seeing as he posted a 20.25 ERA in 6.2 innings (Yikes), but the Mariners have likely lamented the decision since. For his career, O'Flaherty has posted an ERA of 2.87, pitched 301.1 innings, a SO/9 of 7.0, and a SO/BB of 2.21, but it is the 27 year olds numbers since getting out of Seattle that are so impressive. While in Seattle, O'Flaherty never posted an ERA below 4.00, his SO/9 never reached above 6.2, his SO/BB never even reached 2.00 (1.80 being the height) and he only pitched more than 11 innings once. On the other hand since being in Atlanta O'Flaherty has never posted an ERA over 3.04, his SO/9 has been a 6.2 or higher, his SO/BB has been a 2.00 or higher, and he has pitched 44 innings at least. Moreover O'Flaherty has posted an ERA under 2.00 the last two seasons (2011: 0.98 & 2012: 1.73). The lefty will be a free agent next offseason and is due for a big payday, but not as big of a payday as the number one pitcher on this list will potentially receive.
1) Sergio Romo: Sergio Romo emerged as the San Fransisco Giants closer (at least part time) this past season. He saved 14 games for the Giants in 2012 and recorded 3 saves in the World Series as well, which helped them eventually win the title. Romo was not a full time closer this past season, nor has he ever been and that is why he appears on this list. Romo has been underrated throughout the course of his career and was probably unknown for the most part until this past season. But make no mistake about it, Romo has been one of the most dominant relievers over the past five seasons. He has posted an ERA of 2.20, pitched 233.1 innings, and racked up 17 saves (14 of which came in 2012), he has compiled a SO/9 of 10.7, and a SO/BB of 5.77. Additionally, out of his five major league seasons, Romo has posted an ERA above 2.18 once (a 3.97 ERA in 2009). Aside from that one atypical year, Romo has posted the following ERA statistics: 2.12 (2008), 2.18 (2010), 1.50 (2011) and a 1.79 in 2012. He has also pitched at least 34 innings in his five seasons at the MLB level. The future looks bright for the 29 year old reliever, and he will most likely be the Giants full time closer in 2013.
Five Additional Considerations (No Particular Order):
1) Brad Ziegler: Ziegler is personally one of my favorite relievers for the simple fact that I like his sidearm/submarine delivery, and unfortunately he is really underrated. Aside from the delivery though, Ziegler has been a good reliever for the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Oakland Athletics over five seasons. Posting a 2.44 career ERA and pitching more than 58 innings each season.
2) Drew Storen: Storen is a young reliever for the Washington Nationals at 24 years of age, but he has been a key contributor out of their pen the past three seasons posting an ERA under 3.00 and racking up over 50 saves.
3) Luke Gregerson: Gregerson has been an asset for the San Diego Padres pitching at least 55 innings each oh his four seasons (over 70 innings in three of those seasons), and he has poste a sub 3.00 ERA.
4) Wilton Lopez: Lopez was recently traded from the Houston Astros to the Colorado Rockies, but over the past three seasons he has posted an ERA under 3.00.
5) Ernesto Frieri: Frieri was traded from the San Diego Padres to the Los Angeles Angels in 2012, and while the hurler may have command issues at times, it's hard to argue with the results of a 2.32 ERA over parts of four MLB seasons.
Other Options:
Antonio Bastardo, Darren O'Day, David Robertson, Bobby Parnell, Pat Neshek, Steve Cishek,
Tom Wilhelmsen, etc.
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