2017 Fantasy Baseball Bullpen Report: Nationals Disaster

Closers in flux

The Nationals. This continues to be an on-going messy situation. It appeared Koda Glover was ready to take a firm grip on the closing gig; that was prior to a few terrible outings, which was followed by a trip to the DL. Matt Albers got the latest save opportunity, which on cue, he blew the save, giving up three earned runs while getting just two outs. This situation does not appear to be getting better or more clear any time soon. They have already had six different guys get saves, as they try to make anything work to finish out games. They are still currently looking into trade options. The Nationals have World Series aspirations, making this a hole that needs to be plugged.

Blown Saves

*Top 10

*Note: I track blown saves that happened by guys who were brought into finish the game. Such as guys in the closer role, or other pitchers who were brought in late in the game. A guy who picks up a “blown save,” for example, in the 6^th inning is very irrelevant in my opinion, when tracking fantasy assets.

Who’s Hot?

Fernando Rodney (74% owned) has quietly been pitching very well for the Dbacks as of late. His season ERA still sits at an ugly 5.11 hiding the fact that he has now gone 14.2 innings without an earned run scoring against him. This week he converted all three of his save chances, had five strikeouts, and posted a 0.33 WHIP. He has the second most saves over the last 30 days to go along with a 0.00 ERA and 0.55 WHIP in that timeframe. For the season he is now in a tie for the second most saves in all of baseball trailing only Greg Holland. He remains a low-tier closer, but he is on a very strong run right now. YTD stats: 24.2 innings, 18 saves, 27 K, 5.11 ERA.

Corey Knebel (77% owned) makes his first appearance here, despite the dominant season he is having. This week he converted all three of his save chances and had five strikeouts across 3.2 shutout innings. Knebel has been fantastic as the closer for the Brewers since taking over the role. For the season he has a 0.98 WHIP and an elite 15.77 K/9. He is an upper-tier closer with still room for moving up. YTD stats: 33.2 innings, 10 saves, 59 K, 1.07 ERA.

Kenley Jansen (98% owned) stayed hot this week, making his second straight appearance here. This week Jansen pitched four times, converted all three of his save chances, and also picked up a win. He threw 3.1 shutout innings, had four strikeouts, and also did not let a runner reach base against him. Jansen still has just 13 saves on the season (T-10^th) but his ratios have been incredible. His WHIP is a stellar 0.58 to go along with a 14.64 K/9. He has STILL yet to walk a batter, now up to 27.2 innings. Opposing hitters are managing just a measly .162 BAA him. YTD stats: 27.2 innings, 13 saves, 45 K, 0.98 ERA.

Who’s Cold?

Mark Melancon (92% owned) pitched just one time this week, and it did not go well. He allowed two earned runs to score against him and took a blown save. It is already his third blown save on the season, just one shy of his 2016 total. Melancon hasn’t been his usual dominant self this season and opposing batters are hitting a gaudy .290 against him. That would be by far the highest average against him in his career (aside from a four inning season back in 2010). The Giants had troubles at closer all of 2016 and signed Melancon in the offseason to try and correct that issue, a move that has not worked out to this point. Melancon still sits inside the upper-half of the closing ranks, but he will need to turn it around quickly. YTD stats: 17.1 innings, 10 saves, 16 K, 3.12 ERA.

Hector Neris (42% owned) continues to be shaky as the Phillies closer. He pitched just one time this week and gave up an earned run. Over the past 14 days, Neris has just three innings pitched, one save, and three earned runs against him. He also has a 3.00 WHIP across that same time period. Fellow Phillies reliever Pat Neshek has shined in the set-up role and could soon challenge Neris for closing duties. For now, Neris remains near the bottom of the closing ranks. YTD stats: 27.1 innings, 5 saves, 30 K, 3.62 ERA.

Who’s hot, Who’s Cold season Leader board

This table shows who has made the most appearances in these sections.

Middle Relievers of note

Juan Nicasio (23% owned) is having a career year to this point and has made himself a key part of the Pirates bullpen. He is currently being used at the set-up man to closer Felipe Rivero, but could also pick up some saves himself, based on the in-game matchups or if Rivero needs an off day. He is worth stashing in standard leagues, and makes for a solid own in Holds leagues. Opposing hitters are currently posting a .215 BAA against him which is easily a career best by nearly .040. His K/9 is also a respectable 9.20, and he would likely take over the closing gig if an injury were to occur to Rivero. YTD stats: 29.1 innings, 11 holds, 30 K, 1.23 ERA.

Matt Barnes (4% owned) is being utilized as the set-up man to closer Craig Kimbrel, and doing a fine job. He is also pitching very well as of late with an ERA of 1.80, WHIP of 0.93, and K/9 of 14.40 over the last 30 days. It is likely that he would be handed the closing gig if an injury happened to Kimbrel. He can be owned in Holds leagues, but is more of someone just to keep an eye on in standard leagues. YTD stats: 30.1 innings, 10 holds, 38 K, 3.26 ERA.

Jose Leclerc (1% owned) has been a strong asset in the Rangers bullpen. He is currently behind closer Matt Bush and set-up man Keone Kela making him more of someone to just keep an eye on, but his ratios have been great. He currently has a 1.72 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 14.36 K/9, and opposing hitters are managing just a .127 BAA against him. His walks are a bit of an issue, already with 8 in just 15.2 innings, but it’s something he has slightly improved upon since last season when he had 13 walks in just 15 innings. If he continues to make progress on his walk rates he could continue to work his way into higher leverage situations at the back of the Rangers ‘pen. He has not been taken deep in his career, showing a great ability to keep the ball in the ballpark. YTD stats: 15.2 innings, 3 holds, 25 K, 1.72 ERA.

The full 2016 breakdown for these 3 guys can be found in the chart below. *Nicasio made 12 starts

Holds

*Top 10

*Ownership percentages are based off Yahoo