You’ll recall earlier this year we introduced our very own reliever rankings called SOEFA, which you can read about in detail here. For a brief refresher, it combines inherited runner strand rate, expected OBP against, ERA-, and FIP- into a deviation from league average. This is a measure of performance, not necessarily ability, and seeks to provide a single number to judge relievers that balances context neutral and context dependent numbers. Certain pitchers, such as Craig Kimbrel, cannot be credited for stranding runners because they are never put into those situations. They are not penalized either, however. Zero is average, and will generally range between -2.5 to 2.5 with -1 to 1 being most common. This includes all pitchers who have thrown at least 20 IP in relief as of this morning, so the average score on this list is closer to 0.11 and the inherited runner threshold has been increased from 5 to 8. SOEFA is a rate stat not a counting stat. Should you wish to know the SOEFA for any other reliever, or on a day that isn’t Sunday, hit us on Twitter or in the comments section.
Rank | Player | Team | SOEFA |
1 | Neal Cotts | Rangers | 1.00 |
2 | Kenley Jansen | Dodgers | 0.98 |
3 | Greg Holland | Royals | 0.95 |
4 | Koji Uehara | Red Sox | 0.87 |
5 | Kevin Siegrist | Cardinals | 0.83 |
6 | Mark Melancon | Pirates | 0.80 |
7 | Joaquin Benoit | Tigers | 0.79 |
8 | Jesse Crain | White Sox | 0.78 |
9 | Craig Kimbrel | Braves | 0.77 |
10 | Javier Lopez | Giants | 0.77 |
11 | Drew Smyly | Tigers | 0.76 |
12 | Alex Torres | Rays | 0.72 |
13 | Sergio Romo | Giants | 0.71 |
14 | Jason Grilli | Pirates | 0.71 |
15 | Jordan Walden | Braves | 0.70 |
16 | Edward Mujica | Cardinals | 0.69 |
17 | Paco Rodriguez | Dodgers | 0.68 |
18 | Nick Vincent | Padres | 0.65 |
19 | Louis Coleman | Royals | 0.65 |
20 | Sam LeCure | Reds | 0.62 |
21 | Shawn Kelley | Yankees | 0.61 |
22 | Glen Perkins | Twins | 0.60 |
23 | Luke Hochevar | Royals | 0.60 |
24 | Brandon Kintzler | Brewers | 0.58 |
25 | Jim Henderson | Brewers | 0.57 |
26 | Tanner Roark | Nationals | 0.57 |
27 | Dan Otero | Athletics | 0.54 |
28 | Preston Claiborne | Yankees | 0.54 |
29 | Trevor Rosenthal | Cardinals | 0.53 |
30 | Chris Withrow | Dodgers | 0.52 |
31 | Carlos Torres | Mets | 0.52 |
32 | Sean Doolittle | Athletics | 0.52 |
33 | David Robertson | Yankees | 0.51 |
34 | Brian Matusz | Orioles | 0.51 |
35 | Casey Fien | Twins | 0.51 |
36 | Jason Frasor | Rangers | 0.51 |
37 | Juan Perez | Blue Jays | 0.50 |
38 | Tommy Hunter | Orioles | 0.49 |
39 | Antonio Bastardo | Phillies | 0.49 |
40 | Will Harris | Diamondbacks | 0.47 |
41 | Josh Collmenter | Diamondbacks | 0.47 |
42 | Andrew Miller | Red Sox | 0.47 |
43 | Seth Maness | Cardinals | 0.47 |
44 | Randy Choate | Cardinals | 0.46 |
45 | Junichi Tazawa | Red Sox | 0.45 |
46 | Brett Cecil | Blue Jays | 0.44 |
47 | Bobby Parnell | Mets | 0.44 |
48 | J.P. Howell | Dodgers | 0.44 |
49 | Joel Peralta | Rays | 0.44 |
50 | Robbie Ross | Rangers | 0.43 |
51 | Scott Downs | – – – | 0.43 |
52 | Jake Diekman | Phillies | 0.43 |
53 | Jonathan Papelbon | Phillies | 0.43 |
54 | Manny Parra | Reds | 0.42 |
55 | Matt Reynolds | Diamondbacks | 0.42 |
56 | Boone Logan | Yankees | 0.41 |
57 | Vin Mazzaro | Pirates | 0.41 |
58 | Tyler Clippard | Nationals | 0.41 |
59 | Aroldis Chapman | Reds | 0.39 |
60 | Chad Qualls | Marlins | 0.39 |
61 | Ross Ohlendorf | Nationals | 0.38 |
62 | Luis Avilan | Braves | 0.37 |
63 | Casey Janssen | Blue Jays | 0.37 |
64 | Addison Reed | White Sox | 0.36 |
65 | Joe Thatcher | – – – | 0.36 |
66 | Gonzalez Germen | Mets | 0.35 |
67 | Brad Ziegler | Diamondbacks | 0.35 |
68 | Tony Watson | Pirates | 0.35 |
69 | Darren O’Day | Orioles | 0.34 |
70 | Donovan Hand | Brewers | 0.34 |
71 | Tom Gorzelanny | Brewers | 0.34 |
72 | Neil Wagner | Blue Jays | 0.34 |
73 | Tanner Scheppers | Rangers | 0.33 |
74 | Steve Cishek | Marlins | 0.33 |
75 | Craig Breslow | Red Sox | 0.32 |
76 | Matt Belisle | Rockies | 0.32 |
77 | Francisco Rodriguez | – – – | 0.31 |
78 | Jerome Williams | Angels | 0.31 |
79 | Josh Outman | Rockies | 0.31 |
80 | Alfredo Figaro | Brewers | 0.30 |
81 | Nate Jones | White Sox | 0.30 |
82 | Grant Balfour | Athletics | 0.28 |
83 | Dale Thayer | Padres | 0.28 |
84 | Steve Delabar | Blue Jays | 0.28 |
85 | Caleb Thielbar | Twins | 0.27 |
86 | Rex Brothers | Rockies | 0.27 |
87 | David Carpenter | Braves | 0.26 |
88 | Santiago Casilla | Giants | 0.26 |
89 | Jared Burton | Twins | 0.25 |
90 | Danny Farquhar | Mariners | 0.25 |
91 | Tim Collins | Royals | 0.25 |
92 | Aaron Loup | Blue Jays | 0.25 |
93 | Cody Allen | Indians | 0.24 |
94 | Blake Parker | Cubs | 0.24 |
95 | Jean Machi | Giants | 0.23 |
96 | Joe Smith | Indians | 0.22 |
97 | Anthony Varvaro | Braves | 0.22 |
98 | Ryan Cook | Athletics | 0.22 |
99 | Chad Gaudin | Giants | 0.22 |
100 | Ernesto Frieri | Angels | 0.22 |
101 | Charlie Furbush | Mariners | 0.22 |
102 | Jeanmar Gomez | Pirates | 0.21 |
103 | Jamey Wright | Rays | 0.21 |
104 | Carter Capps | Mariners | 0.20 |
105 | Alfredo Simon | Reds | 0.20 |
106 | Dan Jennings | Marlins | 0.18 |
107 | Rafael Betancourt | Rockies | 0.17 |
108 | Matt Thornton | – – – | 0.17 |
109 | J.C. Gutierrez | – – – | 0.16 |
110 | Jose Veras | – – – | 0.15 |
111 | Scott Rice | Mets | 0.15 |
112 | Brian Duensing | Twins | 0.14 |
113 | J.J. Putz | Diamondbacks | 0.14 |
114 | Fernando Rodney | Rays | 0.13 |
115 | Oliver Perez | Mariners | 0.13 |
116 | Jesse Chavez | Athletics | 0.12 |
117 | Justin Wilson | Pirates | 0.12 |
118 | Mike Dunn | Marlins | 0.12 |
119 | Wilton Lopez | Rockies | 0.12 |
120 | Matt Lindstrom | White Sox | 0.11 |
121 | Luke Gregerson | Padres | 0.11 |
122 | Tim Stauffer | Padres | 0.10 |
123 | Kevin Gregg | Cubs | 0.09 |
124 | Heath Bell | Diamondbacks | 0.09 |
125 | Craig Stammen | Nationals | 0.09 |
126 | Andrew Bailey | Red Sox | 0.09 |
127 | Mariano Rivera | Yankees | 0.08 |
128 | Ryan Webb | Marlins | 0.08 |
129 | J.J. Hoover | Reds | 0.08 |
130 | Ross Wolf | Rangers | 0.07 |
131 | Luis Ayala | – – – | 0.07 |
132 | Yoervis Medina | Mariners | 0.07 |
133 | Anthony Swarzak | Twins | 0.06 |
134 | Rafael Soriano | Nationals | 0.06 |
135 | David Aardsma | Mets | 0.06 |
136 | Sandy Rosario | Giants | 0.06 |
137 | Joe Nathan | Rangers | 0.06 |
138 | Joe Kelly | Cardinals | 0.06 |
139 | Tyson Ross | Padres | 0.04 |
140 | Bryan Shaw | Indians | 0.04 |
141 | Bruce Rondon | Tigers | 0.02 |
142 | James Russell | Cubs | 0.02 |
143 | Matt Guerrier | – – – | 0.01 |
144 | Carlos Villanueva | Cubs | 0.01 |
145 | LaTroy Hawkins | Mets | 0.00 |
146 | Fernando Abad | Nationals | 0.00 |
147 | Dane de la Rosa | Angels | 0.00 |
148 | Josh Edgin | Mets | -0.01 |
149 | Chris Perez | Indians | -0.01 |
150 | Michael Kohn | Angels | -0.01 |
151 | Darren Oliver | Blue Jays | -0.02 |
152 | Ryan Pressly | Twins | -0.02 |
153 | Edgmer Escalona | Rockies | -0.02 |
154 | Jim Johnson | Orioles | -0.02 |
155 | Kevin Jepsen | Angels | -0.03 |
156 | Cesar Ramos | Rays | -0.03 |
157 | Adam Ottavino | Rockies | -0.03 |
158 | Pat Neshek | Athletics | -0.03 |
159 | Luke Putkonen | Tigers | -0.04 |
160 | Adam Warren | Yankees | -0.04 |
161 | Aaron Crow | Royals | -0.04 |
162 | Tyler Thornburg | Brewers | -0.05 |
163 | Jake McGee | Rays | -0.05 |
164 | Jared Hughes | Pirates | -0.05 |
165 | Burke Badenhop | Brewers | -0.05 |
166 | Joe Ortiz | Rangers | -0.05 |
167 | Rob Scahill | Rockies | -0.06 |
168 | Ronald Belisario | Dodgers | -0.07 |
169 | Bryan Morris | Pirates | -0.08 |
170 | Huston Street | Padres | -0.09 |
171 | Tony Sipp | Diamondbacks | -0.10 |
172 | Manuel Corpas | Rockies | -0.10 |
173 | Jerry Blevins | Athletics | -0.11 |
174 | Darin Downs | Tigers | -0.12 |
175 | Logan Ondrusek | Reds | -0.12 |
176 | Brad Brach | Padres | -0.12 |
177 | Josh Roenicke | Twins | -0.13 |
178 | Kelvin Herrera | Royals | -0.13 |
179 | Troy Patton | Orioles | -0.14 |
180 | Jose Mijares | Giants | -0.15 |
181 | Tom Wilhelmsen | Mariners | -0.15 |
182 | Rich Hill | Indians | -0.16 |
183 | Phil Coke | Tigers | -0.16 |
184 | Raul Valdes | Phillies | -0.19 |
185 | Al Alburquerque | Tigers | -0.19 |
186 | A.J. Ramos | Marlins | -0.19 |
187 | Cory Gearrin | Braves | -0.19 |
188 | Ramon Troncoso | White Sox | -0.20 |
189 | Josh Fields | Astros | -0.20 |
190 | Nick Hagadone | Indians | -0.21 |
191 | Joba Chamberlain | Yankees | -0.21 |
192 | Drew Storen | Nationals | -0.23 |
193 | Jonathan Broxton | Reds | -0.23 |
194 | Wesley Wright | – – – | -0.26 |
195 | Mike Adams | Phillies | -0.26 |
196 | Pedro Strop | – – – | -0.26 |
197 | Marc Rzepczynski | – – – | -0.26 |
198 | Fernando Salas | Cardinals | -0.27 |
199 | Vinnie Pestano | Indians | -0.27 |
200 | Blake Beavan | Mariners | -0.27 |
201 | Donnie Veal | White Sox | -0.28 |
202 | Matt Albers | Indians | -0.28 |
203 | Greg Burke | Mets | -0.29 |
204 | Brad Lincoln | Blue Jays | -0.30 |
205 | Garrett Richards | Angels | -0.31 |
206 | Justin De Fratus | Phillies | -0.31 |
207 | David Hernandez | Diamondbacks | -0.35 |
208 | George Kontos | Giants | -0.36 |
209 | Michael Bowden | Cubs | -0.37 |
210 | Scott Atchison | Mets | -0.37 |
211 | John Axford | – – – | -0.37 |
212 | Paul Clemens | Astros | -0.37 |
213 | Michael Gonzalez | Brewers | -0.38 |
214 | Kyle Farnsworth | Rays | -0.39 |
215 | Clayton Mortensen | Red Sox | -0.41 |
216 | T.J. McFarland | Orioles | -0.42 |
217 | Esmil Rogers | Blue Jays | -0.42 |
218 | Alex Wilson | Red Sox | -0.44 |
219 | Travis Blackley | Astros | -0.45 |
220 | Lucas Luetge | Mariners | -0.48 |
221 | Brandon Lyon | Mets | -0.48 |
222 | Ian Krol | Nationals | -0.50 |
223 | Bruce Chen | Royals | -0.54 |
224 | Carlos Marmol | – – – | -0.56 |
225 | Jose Cisnero | Astros | -0.58 |
226 | Jeremy Horst | Phillies | -0.59 |
227 | Dallas Keuchel | Astros | -0.63 |
228 | Hector Ambriz | Astros | -0.63 |
229 | Jeremy Affeldt | Giants | -0.65 |
230 | Henry Rodriguez | – – – | -0.71 |
231 | Ryan Mattheus | Nationals | -0.72 |
232 | Michael Kirkman | Rangers | -0.74 |
233 | Hector Rondon | Cubs | -0.76 |
234 | Lucas Harrell | Astros | -0.91 |
235 | Brandon League | Dodgers | -0.93 |
236 | Anthony Bass | Padres | -0.97 |
237 | Shawn Camp | Cubs | -1.04 |