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We are just a week from the All-Star Break, which has become the official midway point in both the MLB and the fantasy baseball season. Once the break has come and gone, you can expect the reliever trade market to ramp up and ramp up quickly. But I have spent enough time in this article preparing you for that!
But now that we are nearly halfway through the MLB season, let's take a look at the relievers who have been standouts in specific categories. Reliever leaders as of Tuesday, July 12th:
Saves: Josh Hader, 26 (Taylor Rogers 24, Kenley Jansen 20 the only others over 20)
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Innings Pitched: Keegan Akin, 50.2
Strikeouts: Edwin Diaz, 73
WHIP: John Schreiber, 0.62
SIERA: Edwin Diaz, 1.11
Changing Bullpens for Fantasy Baseball
The Mariners went from a team with unpredictable bullpen usage to being one you can set your watch with. While they have been red hot, Paul Sewald has been operating as the Mariners' primary closer. In the past month, Sewald has six of the Mariners' eight saves, and in the past two weeks, he has four of the five. No one else has more than one in either span. Sewald has looked like his old dominant self from a year ago and the Mariners have quickly played themselves back into contention, so them selling relievers should no longer be a concern. In fact, perhaps the larger concern should be them acquiring an arm or two. But either way, Sewald is a must roster and must start option moving forward.
The Rangers seemed to have found their closer in Brett Martin. In the past two weeks, Martin has picked up all three saves for the Rangers while not allowing a run and pitching to a 0.86 WHIP. This was all after the Rangers removed Joe Barlow from the closer position. The best part? Since Martin was an unknown commodity just a couple of weeks ago - managers in your league may be wary of trusting him or just overlook him. If that is the case, he needs to be picked up and started. There is no guarantee it last all season, but ride the hot hand and get the saves while you can.
The Braves bullpen continues to change after remaining stagnant for so long early in the season. The reason is that Kenley Jansen landed on the IL due to a heart issue. He was eligible to return on July 12th, but reports are that he will not then, but will return shortly. With the break next week, the Braves can elect to give Jansen some extra rest. In his absence, each of Will Smith and A.J. Minter have picked up three saves each. They each have an ERA of 1.80 in that span, but Smith has provided more strikeouts (36 percent to 27) while Minter has had the better WHIP (1.40 to 1.80). Each should be rostered until we see Jansen return and if you have the bench spot, it is not bad to stash either for the time being, until we are certain that Jansen is back for the long haul.
Speculative Saves for Fantasy Baseball
The Reds continue to use Hunter Strickland for their save chances, the issue though, he has just one save in the last two weeks, while blowing two. Still, seeing the Reds stick to one reliever after the rollercoaster the past two years has been refreshing. Strickland, who is a free agent at the end of the year, remains a big trade candidate as teams are always willing to take a veteran reliever. If he is dealt, that would once again open the closer spot in Cincinnati. The top option who could potentially take over remains Alexis Diaz, the younger brother of Edwin.
The Tigers are interesting as they have a number of different veteran relievers who they can trade before the deadline. In the past two weeks, Gregory Soto has had three saves, while veterans Michael Fulmer and Joe Jimenez each have one. Jimenez has been on a resurgence all season. He has one more year of arbitration before he hits the open market, while Fulmer is a free agent at year's end. Soto is just entering arbitration after this season, so he is the least likely to be dealt, but anything is possible when it comes to relievers. But if he is not dealt and the others are, his save competition goes away. This will certainly be a team to keep a close eye on over the next couple of weeks.
Elite Ratios and Strikeouts
Andres Munoz may not be in the closer picture for the Mariners anymore, but it does not mean he is any less elite. In the past month, he has struck out 61 percent of the batters he has faced in 13.1 innings, only Edwin Diaz is higher in that span. Munoz has also pitched to a 0.60 WHIP, 0.36 SIERA, and 0.14 xFIP while not allowing a run. He doesn’t get saves, but he gets you everything else you could ask for out of a reliever.
Felix Bautista ranks third among relievers with double-digit innings in the past month - having struck out 48 percent of the batters he’s faced. He has a 1.64 ERA, 0.82 WHIP, 1.48 SIERA, and a 1.38 xFIP in that span. And while the Orioles are red hot and working their way back into contention, they could still elect to be sellers and one of their biggest trade assets is current closer, Jorge Lopez. If he is dealt, that would open the door for the dominant Bautista to operate as the closer in the second half. He is a strong stash candidate.
Devin Williams has struck out 43 percent of the batters he has faced in the past 30 days. He has done so while not allowing a run and pitching to a 0.93 WHIP, 2.67 SIERA, and 2.12 xFIP in 9.2 innings pitched. He will never get consistent save chances unless something happens to Josh Hader, but if it did, Williams would immediately become a Top-10 closer in fantasy baseball. For the time being, you have to settle for dominant ratios, strikeouts, and the occasional save.
John Schreiber leads all relievers (min. 10 innings pitched) in WHIP in the past month. In that span, he has posted a 0.43 WHIP with a 0.00 ERA, 1.78 xFIP, and 1.28 SIERA while striking out 42 percent of the batters he has faced. While save chances go to Tanner Houck, Schreiber has been absolutely elite and is the next man up for saves there as well. He is still a strong pickup in fantasy baseball despite the lack of save chances (he does have two saves in the last 30 days).
Make sure to follow Michael on Twitter, @MichaelFFlorio.
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