Koda Glover, Shawn Kelley (RP, WAS) - Closers and Saves Draft and Waiver Targets

April 20, 2017

Ben Ruppert recommends MLB relievers Koda Glover & Shawn Kelley as a fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for 2017 due to their promotion to the Nationals closer role.

BALLER MOVE: Add in Saves Leagues

OWNED IN: 17% / 55% of Yahoo Leagues for Glover / Kelley

ANALYSIS: Figuring out the Nationals closer situation has been a headache since before the season started. Blake Treinen was given the job initially, but as manager Dusty Baker said “This ain’t working.” Now, we’re left with Shawn Kelley and Koda Glover. Baker has said the two will split closing duties moving forward, and have Treinen come in in the sixth or seventh inning where he excelled last season.

Neither Kelley nor Glover has been lights out this season, but a change needed to be made. Kelley is the more established of the two arms, and will likely get the majority of the chances between the two. Last season he posted a 2.64 ERA and 12.41 K/9 over 58 innings, and chipped in with seven saves. He would likely be the main closer, if the Nationals didn’t want to keep his workload light thanks to two past Tommy John surgeries. This season he has a 6.00 ERA over six innings, but has settled in after a tough start with four straight scoreless outings. Glover started last season in High-A, but finished the season with the Nationals. Over 19 2/3 innings, he held a 5.03 ERA and 7.32 K/9. Throughout the minor leagues he consistently held a K/9 over 10.0 and kept his ERA low, meaning we haven’t yet seen the best of Glover in the majors.

Glover or Treinen may be the man for the future, but for now Kelley is the relief arm you want if he is still available. In deeper leagues, pick up Glover and hope he can solidify the closers role for himself with some solid appearances. This will be a fluid situation until someone takes and runs with the closer role.