2017 Fantasy Baseball Bullpen Report: Shaky Ground

Closers in flux

Brad Brach has been fantastic all season, and has filled in very well while Zach Britton has been on the mend. Unfortunately for Brach owners, Britton is nearing his return from the DL and it should take place within the next few days. Britton will immediately return to the closer role, bouncing Brach back to set-up duties. Brach should continue to pitch well and is worth owning even when his run as closer ends.

Santiago Casilla picked up a blown save in his most recent appearance and will continue to be a shaky own in the A’s closing committee. Sean Doolittle and Ryan Madson have both out-pitched Casilla and have better stuff. I would not be surprised to see Casilla get fewer save chances in the coming games, with opportunities increasing for the other two based on match-up. A’s manager Bob Melvin continues to use an unorthodox approach with his bullpen which will continue to frustrate fantasy owners. At this point it’s hard to say which reliever is best to own, but Doolittle seems like the best guy in the A’s bullpen to me.

Shawn Kelley and Koda Glover continue to battle for supremacy in the Nationals bullpen. Both had a few strong outings paired with one bad outing this week. Neither guy is off to a strong start this season as both are carrying ERA’s over 4.00. Right now both guys are worth owning as each of them have picked up two saves this week. However, with Glover landing on the 10-day DL there is a chance Kelley could secure the job to himself. Stay tuned.

Blown Saves

*Top 10

Who’s Hot?

Seung-Hwan Oh (95% owned) got off to a terrible start this season but bounced back this week with three strong appearances. He converted all three of his save opportunities and struck out five batters over three innings. Without allowing a single run, he reminded the fantasy world of what he is capable. He has now converted five-straight saves over the course of 10 days. Oh had a fantastic 2016 season and if you have been paying attention, I have mentioned several times to not give up on him, despite the cold start. He has a firm grip on the closer’s role and should have a strong remaining season. The buy-low window has likely closed.  YTD stats: 9.2 innings, 5 saves, 8 K, 5.59 ERA.

Matt Bush (64% owned), the newly named closer of the Rangers, had a strong first week handling the duties. He made three appearances and successfully converted his lone save opportunity. Bush also picked up a win this week, struck out four batters over three innings and did not allow a run. Bush has good stuff, and while his job security is still weak right now, he is the best guy in the Rangers bullpen and the job could remain his for the duration of the season. If he is still available in your league, he shouldn’t be. YTD stats: 7.2 innings, 1 save, 12 K, 2.35 ERA.

Wade Davis (98% owned) converted both of his save opportunities and his strong start to the season continues. Davis entered the season with some health concerns but has ended those concerns by still carrying a 0.00 ERA as April is nearing its end. Davis has some strong competition in the Cubs bullpen, but has good job security, and has done his drafters very well in the fantasy world. Davis was fantastic the last three seasons for the Royals and will remain a top-tier closer this season pitching for the reigning world champs. YTD stats: 9.1 innings, 5 saves, 9 K, 0.00 ERA.

Who’s Cold?

Roberto Osuna (94% owned) lands on the bad side of the list for the second straight week. Osuna owners are still waiting for him to get going, but this just wasn’t the week. He made two appearances and picked up a blown save in his only opportunity. In his only other appearance he was called upon to keep the score tied at zero-zero which he was unable to do. He finished the week with two innings, two earned runs, no saves, and just one strikeout. Osuna owners need to remain patient as he should turn it around soon, and is in no jeopardy of losing his job. He is a strong buy-low candidate. YTD stats: 5 innings, 1 save, 4 K, 5.40 ERA.

Jim Johnson (78% owned) continues to serve as the Braves closer despite continued struggles. He pitched just one time this week, picking up a blown save and a loss, as he failed to hold a 3-2 lead. He has just three saves on the season and a sub-par ERA for a closer. The one thing Johnson has going for him is that set-up man Arodys Vizcaino got shelled in two recent appearances, which helps Johnson keep the closer job. The Braves bullpen is one of the worst in all of baseball, and if there are other closing options available in your league you would be wise to pursue them. YTD stats: 7.2 innings, 3 saves, 10 K, 3.52 ERA.

Middle Relievers of note

Justin Wilson (22% owned) has become a must-own in holds leagues and a solid stash for future saves. He is next in line for closing if the always shaky Francisco Rodriguez were to struggle enough to lose the job. Opposing batters have yet to manage a hit off Wilson and despite being lefty opposing righties are 0-20 against him to start the year. YTD stats: 8.2 innings, 5 holds, 12 K, 0.00 ERA.

Drew Storen is (5% owned) off to a good start this season and could be a speculative add for future saves. Current closer Raisel Iglesias has pitched great and is not in danger of losing the job based on performance, but based on versatility. The Reds have shown they like to use Iglesias in more of the effector role leaving save opportunities to other relievers occasionally. Storen is more of the traditional reliever who pitches his one inning and is done. YTD stats: 11 innings, 2 holds, 13 K, 0.82 ERA.

Hunter Strickland (6% owned) is more of someone to just keep an eye on. He has Mark Melancon in front of him closing, and an injury would be the only way Strickland could work his way into save opportunities. He has pitched well so far this year, and would be a solid own if something were to happen to Melancon. YTD stats: 8.1 innings, 0 holds, 8 K, 0.00 ERA.

Pedro Baez is (4% owned) in a similar position to Strickland; he is just someone to keep an eye on. He has Kenley Jansen in front of him, so he won’t be seeing any save opportunities as long as Jansen is healthy. Baez features a high 90’s fastball and has closer stuff. He would likely be a closer for a few other teams, but for now will have to settle as a shutdown middle reliever. YTD stats: 8.1 innings, 1 hold, 10 K, 1.08 ERA.

The full 2016 breakdown for these 4 guys can be found in the chart below.

Holds

*Top 10

*Ownership percentages are based off Yahoo