Best skill sets through May

Rather than return to team situations this week, the column looks at the top skill sets through May and will return to team situations next week. After filtering the skills, these columns largely write themselves.

The first grouping is just the best of the best pure K%-BB% (over 30%) through May:

K%-BB% 30%SVHDIPERAxERAWHIPK%K-BB%HR/9
Miller, Mason OAK11024.01.881.510.7953%45%0.0
Estrada, Jeremiah SD1216.10.552.160.5548%41%0.6
Strahm, Matt PHI L0522.10.812.440.7639%35%0.0
Cruz, Fernando CIN01024.14.072.081.1148%35%0.4
Hader, Josh HOU L7025.03.962.371.0841%31%1.1
Smith, Cade CLE1524.21.822.290.9338%31%0.0

Mason Miller (RHP, OAK) has been torching batters all season while closing for the Oakland Athletics. Miller is overqualified to use one...

Almost!

You’re just a few clicks away from accessing this feature and hundreds more throughout the year that have a singular goal in mind: Winning your league. Subscribe to BaseballHQ.com here!

Already a subscriber? Sign in here

More From Relief Pitchers

Using projections for skills and early-season usage patterns, we look at five more bullpens.
Apr 12 2026 3:05am
We are a week into the 2026 season and can start to look for usage patterns in fluid bullpens. Griffin Jax's season so has left managers screaming.
Apr 5 2026 3:06am
Every week brings changes to bullpens. One game does not give us much, but it gives us something, like a Jordan Romano (RHP, LAA) save.
Mar 29 2026 3:06am
Checking in on the Twins, Tigers, Angels, Rangers and Athletics pens for Opening Day.
Mar 20 2026 3:10am
Checking in on the Nationals, Cardinals, Diamondbacks and Rockies pens for Opening Day.
Mar 20 2026 3:09am

Tools