RADIO
Keith Hernandez profiles Brewers relief pitcher Jeremy Jeffress as a waiver wire pickup and add in Week 2 of the 2019 MLB season.
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ team leagues
OWNED IN: 30% of leagues
ANALYSIS: Jeffress was an All-Star in 2018 and had the best season of his career, going 8-1 with a 1.29 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 89 strikeouts in 76 2/3 innings and 15 saves. It helped that Corey Knebel's struggles allowed Jeffress to tally some saves late in the season. He also became a better strikeout artist by throwing more curveballs and fewer sinkers. The right-hander also had a career-high 27 saves in 47 games for the Brew Crew back in 2016.
With Knebel healthy and stud reliever Josh Hader in the mix for saves at the start of spring training, it was looking like Jeffress wouldn't have much fantasy appeal. Knebel has since had season-ending Tommy John surgery and the Brewers wouldn't mind using Hader for multi-inning, high-leverage stints before the ninth if they need it. Jeffress dealt with shoulder problems this spring and remains on the injured list, but he will start a rehab assignment this weekend and could join the team this month. He should see a healthy amount of save chances for one of the better teams in baseball. He needs to be stashed now for those that are speculating on saves.
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