BALLER MOVE: Add in 10+ Team Leagues
ROSTERED IN: 18% of Leagues
ANALYSIS: On Opening Day of the 2023 season, Reynaldo Lopez was called upon to close out the game against the Houston Astros. Although he gave up an earned run, he was able to lock down the game and convert his first career save.
This was of course the first save opportunity of the year for the White Sox, and it should be noted that Kendall Graveman pitched in the 8th inning as the setup man. Graveman pitched a clean inning, while Lopez gave up a hit, a walk and an earned run -- so it will be interesting to see who gets the saves moving forward, until Liam Hendriks is able to return.
There was speculation that Lopez could emerge as the fill-in closer, given his strong pitching last year. If today is a sign of things to come, then he will be a valuable asset for those in leagues where saves are valuable.
Lopez was drafted in deeper leagues, but is still widely available on the waiver wire in many others -- currently only 18% owned. He should be added in all leagues that count saves, and is a low-risk investment that can produce surprising value in 2023.
Even if Lopez isn't the closer, his strong ratios should be a valuable fantasy asset. Now add in some saves too, and that makes him a potentially elite option for fantasy baseball.
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