![Michael Kopech - Fantasy Baseball Rankings, Draft Sleepers, Closers and Saves](https://cdn.rotoballer.com/2024/03/Michael-Kopech-Fantasy-Baseball-Rankings-Draft-Sleepers-Closers-and-Saves-icon-rotoballer.jpeg)
BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues
ROSTERED IN: 35% of Leagues
ANALYSIS: The hard-throwing Michael Kopech has enjoyed success this season as a reliever, after struggling through control issues and home run troubles for much of the 2023 season as a starter for the Chicago White Sox.
He has just five saves on the year, but that has a lot more to do with how bad Chicago is this season (they have the fewest wins in MLB) and less to do with how he has pitched.
Michael Kopech's Four-Seam Fastball was the Highest Grading tjStuff+ Pitch from yesterday pic.twitter.com/gWqgML2zeM
— Thomas Nestico (@TJStats) May 22, 2024
Kopech currently has a 4.18 ERA and 1.35 WHIP, which aren't ideal numbers for a closer. However, he also has 33 strikeouts across just 23.2 innings. He's blown a few saves, which has inflated his ERA since he still hasn't thrown that many innings yet. However, Chicago is committed to developing him as their closer and he should continue to get opportunities to close out games and pitch in high-leverage situations.
When Kopech can locate his high 90s fastball, he can then use his plus slider to put away hitters with ease. He's oozing with potential and pitching in relief seems to suit him and his pitching style much better than starting.
If you need saves and strikeouts, then consider adding Kopech. He's still available in 65% of leagues, but after a few more solid outings he's certainly not going to be.
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