We’re just one week into the 2023 fantasy baseball season and already 38 different “closers” have registered at least one save this season. While we’re slowly starting to get a clearer picture about how some managers will utilize their bullpens, there are still five teams who have yet to have one of their relief pitchers save a game for them this season. 

We’re still trying to get a definitive answer as to how teams like the Phillies, Cubs and Dodgers will manage their bullpens, but overall it's been an interesting season so far. 

On Saturday, Giants closer Camilo Doval demonstrated how late inning relievers who are notorious for working slowly can easily get rattled by MLB’s new pitch clock. He managed to record a save but was called for two pitch clock violations in the process. 

As we head into Thursday’s games who would have thought that Pirates reliever David Bednar would lead the major leagues with three saves and dispel the notion that closers who pitch on bad teams are not fantasy viable?

The following are some of our observations with regards to bullpen usage over the past week. It’s still way too early in the season to draw definitive conclusions based on much of what we’ve all seen thus far in this young baseball season but on the other hand, it’s never too soon to make a speculative waiver wire add that can be just what you need to put your fantasy team over the top at the end of the season.

Chicago White Sox

There’s still no timeline for his return, but the fact that Liam Hendriks has completed his final round of chemotherapy in his battle against non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is very encouraging. Heading into Thursday’s action Reynaldo Lopez has the White Sox’s only save so far this season. Kendall Graveman has only pitched in the seventh and eighth innings this season and has two holds. Aaron Bummer also has two holds on the season, and he hasn’t given up a run in three appearances. White Sox manager Pedro Grifol has suggested that he’d use a committee approach to managing save situations, but Lopez appears to have what it takes to be a baseball closer. He’s proven to be equally effective vs. left-handed and right-handed batters throughout his career and Lopez has seen a significant jump in his pitch velocity compared to last season. He’s reached 100 MPH on the radar gun several times already this season. However, Lopez pitched part of the seventh inning against the top of the Giants’ lineup in Wednesday’s win against the Giants and it looks like Grifol will use him in matchup-based scenarios.

Miami Marlins

A.J. Puk pitched the ninth inning and picked up the first, and as of yet, only save of the season for the Marlins last Friday. Dylan Floro, who many speculated would get the first crack at closing out games for the Marlins, pitched the eighth inning of that game. Puk also pitched the ninth inning in a non-save situation in the Marlins’ win against the Twins on Thursday with Floro again pitching the eighth inning. Tanner Scott, who saved 20 games for the Marlins last season, has only been used in the seventh and eighth innings so far this season. If Puk is available on the waiver wire in your league it might be worth your while to make a speculative bid on him this weekend.

Colorado Rockies

Unfortunately, Daniel Bard hit the IL due to his suffering from anxiety. We wish him the best but although he’s continued his throwing regimen and reached 96 MPH in a recent bullpen session, there is no timetable for his return. It appears that Pierce Johnson will take over as the Rockies’ closer during Bard’s absence. He already has one save so far this season and has struck out five batters in two innings pitched. There’s a good chance that Johnson is still on your league’s waiver wire. 

Arizona Diamondbacks

Andrew Chafin, Scott McGough, and Drey Jameson each have one save for the Diamondbacks entering Thursday’s action. Jameson has been used in multi-inning relief efforts so far this season and probably won’t be in line for many more save opportunities. McGough has pitched one inning across three appearances this season, picking up a hold and a save. He gave up two home runs and blew a save in his last outing, but McGough will likely continue to be called upon to pitch in high leverage situations moving forward. Chafin has yet to give up a run heading into Thursday’s action and has a win and a save. He's been used in the eighth and ninth innings this season and will continue to pitch in high leverage situations. With Kevin Ginkel admitting that he might be tipping his pitches, the Diamondbacks' bullpen appears to be a work in progress. 

Texas Rangers

Statistically, the Rangers have one of the best bullpens in baseball thus far this season. Cumulatively, Rangers relievers have a 0.73 ERA. Will Smith, who has 92 career saves, picked up the teams’ first save on Saturday. Jose Leclerc, who many expected to be the Rangers’ primary closer, picked up his first save of the season on Wednesday. Manager Bruce Bochy loves the versatility within his bullpen and he’s starting to sound like a guy whose bullpen management will focus on best matchups.

 


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