2017 Fantasy Baseball Bullpen Report: Rough Patch

Bullpens go through rough patches, this week it happened as a collective group. Two closers have worked their way into deep waters with job security. Two others continued with their recent struggles. Lastly, for the first time this season, only one pitcher had a strong enough week to land a spot in the hot section. Even our middle relievers had a down week, with only one pitcher picking up more than two holds.

Closers in flux

Santiago Casilla makes his fourth appearance here this season, but still has yet to lose the closing gig. He blew his third save of the season this week, and continues to struggle, despite being utilized as the closer. His time as the closer could finally be coming to the end though, after fellow reliever Sean Doolittle picked up two saves this week. It is a situation worth monitoring, and at this point Doolittle seems like the better own. He is simply the better pitcher.

Hector Neris had a rough week for the Phillies and fantasy owners. He converted just one of his three save chances, surrendering two runs across four innings. Neris hasn’t been terrible as the closer, but he also consistently gives up runs. Now with three blown saves on the season, the Phillies may start to explore other options for the closing gig. He will remain near the bottom of the closing rankes for as long as he is able to hold the gig. Opposing batters are managing a .252 BAA Neris which is very high for a closer. Pat Neshek has pitched the best in the Phillies ‘pen and could soon see some save opportunities.

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?

Kelvin Herrera (90% owned) is finally starting to show signs of life with a strong week. He lands here for the first time this year, and is also alone, with no one else having an exceptional week. Herrera converted all four of his save chances and did not allow a run to score against him across 3.2 innings. The one negative for him this week was that he only had one strikeout, but his season K/9 still sits at a solid 9.00. He has now gone six straight appearances without an earned run against him; his longest such stretch of the season. Herrera has a firm grip on the closing gig while with the Royals. He has been the subject of many trade rumors, but it is yet to be seen if that would increase or decrease his value. A trade to the Nationals would move Herrera up the closing ranks instantly. YTD stats: 30 innings, 17 saves, 30 K, 4.50 ERA.

Who’s Cold?

Mark Melancon (89% owned) continued his disaster season this week and lands in this portion of the article for the second straight time. He pitched just twice this week and converted just one of two save chances. The blown save was atrocious; he got the first guy out, and then proceeded to give up three straight singles before Nolan Arenado took him deep for the walk-off grand slam. It was already his fourth blown save in just fifteen tries. His ratios to this point in the season are ugly across the board with a 4.82 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, and 7.71 K/9. The Giants still trust Melancon to turn it around, but from a fantasy perspective, there are much better options out there. He has worked his way down to the lower part of the closing ranks. YTD stats: 18.2 innings, 11 saves, 16 K, 4.82 ERA.

Matt Bush (70% owned) provided very little to fantasy owners this week, pitching just two times and only getting four total outs. He blew his only save chance, surrendering two earned runs against the Blue Jays. Bush started out strong but has since starting regressing. Over the last 30 days, he has just 8.2 innings, 3 saves, 6 strikeouts, a 6.23 ERA, and a 2.08 WHIP. For now his job is safe, but he will need to turn it around quickly or the Rangers will be forced to explore other options. YTD stats: 25 innings, 8 saves, 27 K, 2.88 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

Sean Doolittle (25% owned) has yet to give up a run in four appearances since making his return from the DL on June 10. He has also struck out seven hitters across those four shutout innings and picked up two saves. Doolittle is currently listed behind Santiago Casilla on the depth chart, but A’s Manager Bob Melvin has shown he is willing to mix it up when using his bullpen.  Doolittle is the much better pitcher between the two, and his ratios to this point in the season are impressive. He currently has a 2.31 ERA, 0.60 WHIP, and 13.89 K/9 in his 11.2 innings of work. His biggest issue is staying healthy, but if he can manage that, he could hop Casilla for the majority of the save chances. He is worth owning in all formats, and would likely be a middle-tier closer if he were to take over the gig full time. YTD stats: 11.2 innings, 5 holds, 18 K, 2.31 ERA.

Enny Romero (11% owned) has been the one bright spot lately in an extremely messy Nationals bullpen. Over the last 30 days he has a 0.68 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, and 12.51 K/9. He picked up his second save of the season on June 17 and could start seeing more save chances in the future with the closing gig very open. The Nationals will continue to look outside of the organization for a closer, but in the meantime, Romero could pick up some saves for fantasy owners. He picks up strikeouts at a nice rate and given the possibility of saves, he makes for a solid own in deeper leagues. YTD stats: 34 innings, 7 holds, 39 K, 3.44 ERA.

Shane Greene (6% owned) has quietly pitched very well in the Tigers bullpen this season. With much of the fantasy focus (and rightfully so) being on the early struggles of Francisco Rodriguez and the dominance of Justin Wilson, Greene hasn’t been much of a topic. On the season he is carrying ratios of 2.65 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and 10.05 K/9 and has moved himself into an important role for the team. He has moved himself into a setup role, and is worth a look in Holds leagues. He likely wouldn’t be the first option for closing if Wilson were to be injured or falter, but if he continues to pitch the way he has, it would be tough for Manager Brad Ausmus to choose anyone else. YTD stats: 34 innings, 9 holds, 38 K, 2.65 ERA.

The full 2016 breakdown for these 3 guys can be found in the chart below.

Holds

*Top 10

*Ownership percentages are based off Yahoo