Now that we’ve finished the top 15 starters in the 2021 Valley League season, we’ll turn our attention to the top relievers.

This list has traditionally been the toughest to order, and this year was no exception. As usual, some pitchers were amazing at striking batters out, but maybe walked a few too many guys at the same time. Or maybe someone’s ERA is low, but his WHIP is much higher. So I’ve done my proper best to put the top 15 relievers in a cogent order, mostly using ERA, WHIP, K/9, BB/9, and batting average against. If I needed a tiebreaker, it would come down to innings pitched. Wins and saves did not factor in the decision. Literally not at all. Please refer back to this paragraph if you want to get snarky on social media.

Let’s start by looking at the young men who were considered for the list, but did not make the top 15. We’ll start with #15 later this week!

Just Missed

  • Chase Centala, Charlottesville (Florida): 3-0, 3.42, 1.381 WHIP, 2.6 BB/9, 10.3 K/9 in 21 innings
  • Stan King, Winchester (Tallahassee CC): 2-0, 2.59, 1.272 WHIP, 4.7 BB/9, 9.9 K/9 in 17 1/3 innings
  • Brennan Abbott, Woodstock (JMU): 0-1, 3.66, 1.269 WHIP, 5.5 BB/9, 11.4 K/9 in 19 2/3 innings
  • Deven Judy, Waynesboro (Gannon): 0-0, 3.37, 1.125 WHIP, 3.4 BB/9, 10.7 K/9 in 16 innings
  • Elijah McCormack, Waynesboro (Central Florida): 2-2, 3.43, 1.421 WHIP, 7.9 BB/9, 12.3 K/9

The following players were also pretty good, but did not pitch enough innings to make the list:

  • Collin Bosley-Smith, Charlottesville (Duke): 1-0, 1.00, 1.111 WHIP, 9.0 BB/9, 11.0 K/9 in nine innings
  • Tristan Sipple, Charlottesville (NC State): 1-0, 0.00, 1.169 WHIP, 5.8 BB/9, 14.0 K/9 in 7 2/3 innings
  • Nick Palumbo, Purcellville (Pace): 0-0, 2.16, 1.566 WHIP, 6.5 BB/9, 7.6 K/9 in 8 1/3 innings
  • Geo Rivera, Strasburg (Walters State): 0-0, 0.00, 0.619 WHIP, 2.8 BB/9, 10.2 K/9 in 9 2/3 innings
  • Eric Toth, Strasburg (Presbyterian): 1-0, 1.12, 1.125 WHIP, 4.5 BB/9, 13.5 K/9 in eight innings
  • Nick Hyde, Waynesboro (Western Carolina): 0-0, 2.00, 2.000 WHIP, 8.0 BB/9, 13.0 K/9 in nine innings
Deven Judy (Gannon)