BALLER MOVE: Target in drafts ~pick 98
CURRENT ADP: ~115 overall
ANALYSIS: Pete Fairbanks is another closer that managers tend to be gun-shy about due to his injury history. The hard-throwing right-hander made two trips to the IL last season due to inflammation in his forearm and his ship. Looking further back, Fairbanks double-dipped in 2021 as well, missing a total of eight weeks and losing three months in 2022 thanks to a strained lat.
Despite the missed time in 2023, he did set a new high of 45 1/3 innings pitched as well as career highs in saves (25) and strikeouts (68). Fairbanks also had stellar ratios, owning a 2.45 ERA and 1.01 WHIP, and limited opponents to a .175 xBA.
Aside from the injuries, the other reason managers might be hesitant to draft Fairbanks is the Rays’ history of utilizing the closer-by-committee to finish games. Fairbanks emerged from the pack though, as Jason Adam was the only other reliever in Tampa to record more than one save and most of his 12 came during and between Fairbanks’ IL stints. Fairbanks will be the primary option to close out games in 2024 and is one healthy season away from joining the ranks of the game’s top closers.
Holy smokes. Pete Fairbanks just came in the 9th and closed out the Orioles by striking out the side, topping out at 101.
Rays bullpen has gone 34 straight scoreless innings. pic.twitter.com/E0wmaq0FBd
— Jordan Moore (@iJordanMoore) September 15, 2023
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