Now moving on to pitchers, starting with the middle men. Now the previous two years I took the top 60 in relief apperances, not counting closers, to put the list together. This time around though I took the top 60 in that most meaningless of stats, Holds. But as worthless as it is at least helps identify who managers trusted to use when their team had a lead since the majority of managers have a phobia when it comes to using their best relievers when they are trailing or tied.

 

Now for middle relievers I will take into account these statistics: Component ERA (ERC), K/BB Ratio, WHIP, VORP, Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP), and Pitching Runs Created (PRC). I don't use Win Shares when it comes to middle men because the majority of them don't get very many of them. I also don't use ERA+ for middle relievers or closers as I feel a relievers ERA can be very deceiving with the smaller sample size and the specialization of their use.

 

2004 Top 5

1. Tom Gordon

2. Francisco Rodriguez

3. B.J. Ryan

4. Akinori Otsuka

5. Juan Rincon

 

2005 Top 5

1. Justin Duchscherer

2. Scott Linebrink

3. Dan Wheeler

4. Al Reyes

5. Bob Howry

 

2006 Middle Reliever Rankings

 

1. Cla Meredith, Padres

2. Scot Shields, Angels

3. Dennys Reyes, Twins

4. Joel Zumaya, Tigers

5. Dan Wheeler, Astros

6. Rafael Soriano, Mariners

7. Scott Proctor, Yankees

8. Jonathan Broxton, Dodgers

9. Adam Wainwright, Cardinals

10. Bob Howry, Cubs

11. Justin Duchscherer, A's

12. Geoff Geary, Phillies

13. Aaron Heilman, Mets

14. Juan Rincon, Twins

15. Jon Rauch, Nationals

16. Scott Linebrink, Padres

17. Chad Qualls, Astros

18. Kiko Calero, A's

19. Trever Miller, Astros

20. Luis Vizcaino, Diamondbacks

21. Matt Capps, Pirates

22. Salomon Torres, Pirates

23. Braden Looper, Cardinals

24. Duaner Sanchez, Mets

25. Todd Coffey, Reds

26. Matt Thornton, White Sox

27. Alan Embree, Padres

28. Justin Speier, Blue Jays

29. Rheal Cormier, Phillies/Reds

30. Francisco Rodney, Tigers

31. Joel Peralta, Royals

32. Brandon Lyon, Diamondbacks

33. Scott Eyre, Cubs

34. Mike Stanton, Nationals/Giants

35. Joe Kennedy, A's

36. Kyle Farnsworth, Yankees

37. Elmer Dessens, Royals/Dodgers

38. Jose Mesa, Rockies

39. Scott Schoeneweis, Blue Jays/Reds

40. Taylor Tankersley, Marlins

41. Jose Capellan, Brewers

42. Keith Foulke, Red Sox

43. Damaso Marte, Pirates

44. George Sherrill, Mariners

45. Roberto Hernandez, Pirates/Mets

46. Danys Baez, Dodgers/Braves

47. LaTroy Hawkins, Orioles

48. Mike Timlin, Red Sox

49. Shawn Camp, Devil Rays

50. Manny Delcarmen, Red Sox

51. Mike Myers, Yankees

52. Steve Kline, Giants

53. Logan Kensing, Marlins

54. Brian Shouse, Rangers/Brewers

55. Matt Wise, Brewers

56. Arthur Rhodes, Phillies

57. Neal Cotts, White Sox

58. Randy Flores, Cardinals

59. Todd Williams, Orioles

60. Ray King, Rockies