Ranking the 40 best relief pitchers

It is never easy to rank pitchers or players. What one scout or evaluator sees as a priority or skill, another individual may evaluate differently and provide a different opinion. That's what makes scouting and watching baseball players so fascinating.

In my reliever rankings, I am looking primarily at late-inning setup men and closers, as the pressure usually intensifies as the game progresses to its finish.

The pitcher's team, division of play, home-field factors, historical success and injury history, among other factors, go into determining the rankings. As is usually the case, each reader may have a different opinion. Following are my top 40 relievers for 2015, along with their stats from 2014.

40. Joakim Soria, Tigers: 3.25 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 18 saves

39. Brett Cecil, Blue Jays: 2.70 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, five saves

38. Addison Reed, D-backs: 4.25 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 32 saves

Video: Outlook: Reed could bounce back by limiting homers

37. Chad Qualls, Astros: 3.33 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 19 saves

36. Kevin Jepsen, Rays: 2.63 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, two saves

35. Luke Gregerson, Astros: 2.12 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, three saves

34. Joe Nathan, Tigers: 4.81 ERA, 1.53 WHIP, 35 saves

33. Tyler Clippard, A's: 2.18 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, one save

32. Ken Giles, Phillies: 1.18 ERA, 0.79 WHIP, one save

31. Tony Watson, Pirates: 1.63 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, two saves

30. Bryan Shaw, Indians: 2.59 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, two saves

29. LaTroy Hawkins, Rockies: 3.31 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 23 saves

Video: Hawkins on retiring after 2015 season

28. Joe Smith, Angels: 1.81 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, 15 saves

27. Andrew Miller, Yankees: 1.35 ERA, 0.60 WHIP, one save

26. Jonathan Broxton, Brewers: 2.30 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, seven saves

25. Wade Davis, Royals: 1.00 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, three saves

24. Jenrry Mejia, Mets: 3.65 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, 28 saves

23. Rafael Soriano, free agent: 3.19 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 32 saves

22. Santiago Casilla, Giants: 1.70 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, 19 saves

21. Hector Rondon, Cubs: 2.42 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 29 saves

20. Neftali Feliz, Rangers: 1.99 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 13 saves

19. Trevor Rosenthal, Cardinals: 3.20 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 45 saves

Video: Outlook: Rosenthal needs to conquer control woes

18. Glen Perkins, Twins: 3.65 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 34 saves

17. Francisco Rodriguez, free agent: 3.04 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 44 saves

16. Joaquin Benoit, Padres: 1.49 ERA, 0.77 WHIP, 11 saves

15. Drew Storen, Nationals: 1.12 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 11 saves

14. Koji Uehara, Red Sox: 2.52 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 26 saves

13. Cody Allen, Indians: 2.07 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 24 saves

12. Huston Street, Angels: 1.37 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, 41 saves

11. Jonathan Papelbon, Phillies: 2.04 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, 39 saves

10. Mark Melancon, Pirates: 1.90 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, 33 saves

9. Steve Cishek, Marlins: 3.17 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 39 saves

8. Zach Britton, Orioles: 1.65 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, 37 saves

7. David Robertson, White Sox: 3.08 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 39 saves

Video: Outlook: Robertson should continue to excel in 2015

6. Fernando Rodney, Mariners: 2.85 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 48 saves

5. Dellin Betances, Yankees: 1.40 ERA, 0.78 WHIP, one save

4. Kenley Jansen, Dodgers: 2.76 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 44 saves

3. Greg Holland , Royals: 1.44 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, 46 saves

2. Aroldis Chapman, Reds: 2.00 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, 36 saves

1. Craig Kimbrel, Braves: 1.61 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, 47 saves

On my bubble: Aaron Loup, Tanner Scheppers, Junichi Tazawa, Aaron Sanchez, Brad Boxberger, Kevin Quackenbush,

Injury concerns: If healthy, they would rank much higher -- Sean Doolittle, Jake McGee