🖥 TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE NEW
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

2016 in Review: Relief Pitcher (RP) Breakouts

Pierre Camus takes a look at the top three breakouts at the relief pitcher (RP) position from 2016 and offers advice when drafting in 2017.

Our review of the 2016 fantasy baseball season continues with a look at some of the top breakout relievers.

Relief Pitcher Breakouts - 2016

Alex Colome, Tampa Bay Rays

The Rays entered the season unsure of their closer. Brad Boxberger saved an AL-high 41 games in 2015, but was unavailable for the first two months of the year due to an abductor injury. Some speculated Danny Farquhar would get the nod since he had more game experience on his resume. Instead it was Colome who took the reins, and he didn't let go. He wound up with 37 saves and a sparkling 1.91 ERA. He didn't officially blow a save until July 23 and finished the year with an 11.3 K/9 and his first All-Star appearance.

Colome will be 28 to start the 2017 season, which means he is in the prime years of his career. He should remain firmly planted as the closer in Tampa Bay. Boxberger is still around, but only has one year of closing experience - the same as Colome now. He also struggled mightily in September, allowing 9 ER in 11.2 IP. Colome got stronger as the year progressed, allowing just one ER over the past month. There should be little doubt that Colome is a high quality reliever for 2017.

Sam Dyson, Texas Rangers

Dyson was invaluable to the division champion Rangers, tossing more innings (70.1) than all but three other relievers who served as their team's closer for at least half the season. He was also one of 13 relievers to record double digit holds and saves in 2016. He began the year backing up Shawn Tolleson in the eighth inning. By the middle of May, he was in the ninth inning role permanently. How consistent was Dyson? After allowing a run in his second outing on April 7, Dyson didn't let his ERA rise above 3.00 for the rest of the season.

The acquisition of Jeremy Jeffress was never a legitimate threat to Dyson's role. The Rangers do have a couple of arms that could step in if Dyson were to falter next season, but he shouldn't have to compete too hard to earn the job out of Spring Training. He could stand to improve his 2.39 K/BB rate, but there haven't been any rough spots in his past to indicate Dyson is due for a letdown. Target Dyson as a mid-range closer once the top 10 at the position are gone in 2017 fantasy drafts.

Hector Neris, Philadelphia Phillies

Although Jeanmar Gomez was the man who racked up 38 saves in Philadelphia this season, Neris proved to be the better pitcher. In all honesty, Gomez would not have remained the closer for any team other than the lowly Phillies. His 4.85 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 2.14 K/BB just aren't suited for the ninth inning at any level. Neris, on the other hand, maintained a 2.58 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 3.40 K/BB in 2016. His main value to fantasy owners came in the form of 28 holds and 102 K in 80.1 IP. Neris also proved to be durable, appearing in 79 games, which was good for fourth in the majors.

Neris sported a superior 15.4% SwStr% on the season, which screams closer material. The team should acknowledge that he has a superior late inning profile and move him into the fireman role to begin yet another rebuilding year in 2017. If he somehow remains stuck as a setup man, draft him as a solid source of strikeouts and as a possible closer-in-waiting for leagues that require multiple RP.

 


Check out RotoBaller's entire fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and sleepers list, updated daily!




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Carter Hart

Sustains Lower-Body Injury Thursday
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Sidelined in Memphis
Joel Eriksson Ek

Out Day-to-Day
Jakob Poeltl

Remains Out Friday Against Celtics
Joel Kiviranta

Labeled Week-to-Week
Franz Wagner

to Miss Friday's Game Against Philadelphia
Brendan Smith

Out for 3-4 Months After Surgery
Jalen Suggs

to Miss Fourth Straight Game Friday
NHL

Sharks Acquire Laurent Brossoit
P.J. Washington

is Ruled Out for Thursday's Contest
Jaime Jaquez Jr.

is Returning on Thursday
Daniel Jones

Colts Plan to Re-Sign Daniel Jones
Darius Garland

to Play on Thursday
Anthony Edwards

Active Thursday
Coby White

to Play with Minutes Limit on Thursday
Ace Bailey

Sidelined on Thursday
Kevin Huerter

Won't Play on Thursday
Andrew Nembhard

Won't Play on Thursday
Brandon Miller

is Cleared for Thursday's Game
LaMelo Ball

Upgraded to Available on Thursday
Kevin Love

Available For Thursday
Kawhi Leonard

Suffers Ankle Injury, Considered Questionable for Friday
Jamie Drysdale

Unavailable Against Maple Leafs
Bobby Brink

Sits Out Thursday
Simon Nemec

Back for Devils Thursday
Jusuf Nurkić

Jusuf Nurkic Questionable For Thursday Against Mavs
Troy Terry

Misses Thursday's Game
Alexis Lafrenière

Alexis Lafreniere Good to Go Against Sabres
Brad Marchand

Out Thursday
Ace Bailey

Considered Questionable Versus Dallas
Evgeni Malkin

Set to Return Thursday
Anthony Edwards

Questionable for Thursday
Davante Adams

Off the Injury Report, Will Play Against Carolina
Bo Bichette

Phillies to Meet With Bo Bichette
Rome Odunze

Will Return for Wild-Card Game on Saturday
CFB

DJ Lagway Commits to Baylor
Miami Dolphins

Dolphins Fire Head Coach Mike McDaniel
Matvei Michkov

Expected to Play Thursday
Alex Lyon

to Miss at Least One More Week
Mason Marchment

Placed on Injured Reserve, Out Week-to-Week
Alexis Lafrenière

Alexis Lafreniere Battling Illness, Iffy for Thursday
J.T. Miller

Likely to Return Thursday
Adam Henrique

Out Through Olympic Break
Dean Wade

Ruled Out Thursday
Brandon Williams

Questionable for Thursday
Sam LaPorta

Plans to be Back for Training Camp
Owen Caissie

Shipped to Miami as Centerpiece of Trade
Edward Cabrera

Cubs Officially Acquire Edward Cabrera From Marlins
Nathan Walker

Ready to End 16-Game Absence
Rutger McGroarty

Out Indefinitely With Concussion
Kevin Stenlund

a Game-Time Call Wednesday
Rome Odunze

Plans to Play on Saturday
Edward Cabrera

Cubs Finalizing Deal to Acquire Edward Cabrera From Marlins
New York Giants

Giants "All-In" on Hiring John Harbaugh
CFB

Jackson Arnold Signs with UNLV
CFB

Sam Leavitt Scheduled to Visit Tennessee
New York Giants

John Harbaugh Expected to be Favorite to Become New Giants Head Coach
Baltimore Ravens

John Harbaugh Won't Return as Ravens Head Coach
Bo Bichette

Unlikely to Return to Toronto?
Jordan Love

Ready to Start in Wild-Card Game Against Bears
CFB

Jadan Baugh Staying with Florida for Junior Season
Washington Commanders

Commanders "Mutually" Parting Ways With OC Kliff Kingsbury
CFB

Byrum Brown Officially Commits to Auburn
CFB

Austin Simmons Signing with Missouri
CFB

Ty Simpson Undecided on 2026 Plans
CFB

Quarterback AJ Hill Following Ryan Silverfield to Arkansas
Atlanta Falcons

Falcons Have Requested an Interview With Klint Kubiak
Deshaun Watson

Browns Expect Deshaun Watson to be on the Team Next Year
Wan'Dale Robinson

Dealing With Fractured Ribs
Cam Skattebo

Hopes to be Back by Training Camp
Cameron Ward

Won't Need Surgery on his Shoulder
Davante Adams

Rams Expect Davante Adams to Return in Wild-Card Round
Arizona Cardinals

Cardinals Fire Head Coach Jonathan Gannon
Las Vegas Raiders

Raiders Fire Head Coach Pete Carroll
Malik Nabers

Unsure if He Will Be Ready for Week 1 of 2026 Season
CFB

Trinidad Chambliss Will Return to Ole Miss If Granted Sixth Year of Eligibility
Cincinnati Bengals

Zac Taylor Will Return as Bengals Head Coach in 2026
Bo Bichette

Phillies Have Interest in Bo Bichette
Kansas City Royals

Matt Quatraro Signs Three-Year Extension With Royals
CFB

Transfer QB Billy Edwards Commits to North Carolina
CFB

Sam Leavitt Visiting Texas Tech on Saturday
CFB

DJ Lagway Expected To Visit Florida State
Kyle Tucker

Blue Jays "Remain the Favorite" to Sign Kyle Tucker

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP