Emilio Pagan (RP, TB) - Week 15 Waiver Wire Pickups

Andrew Ericksen analyzes Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Emilio Pagan as a waiver wire pickup or add target for Week 15 of the 2019 fantasy baseball season. Pagan appears to be the team's closer at least for now.

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ANALYSIS: It's been a bit of a revolving door so far this year for the closer job in Tampa Bay, but right now, Emilio Pagan appears to be in the best position to earn saves in the near future. Jose Alvarado (oblique) could be out about a month and Diego Castillo (shoulder) should miss at least a week or two after the All-Star break.

In comes Pagan, who earned his fifth save of the season on Sunday. On the year, Pagan has a stellar 1.75 ERA and 0.83 WHIP. He has an elite 33.8% strikeout rate and his .170 xBA against ranks amongst the top 1% of the league. Altogether, his numbers across the board are far more impressive than Alvarado or Castillo's this season.

In any league where saves are highly coveted and scarce, Pagan is a must-add. The length of his value is up in the air, but for at least the first week or two after the All-Star break, he should be in line to get the bulk of the save opportunities in Tampa Bay. And if he flourishes in the role, he could be a gem of a closer long term this year. In points leagues where saves aren't as much of a commodity, he should still be added more often than not.