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A.J. Puk 2025 Fantasy Baseball Outlook: Reliever In Line For Save Opportunities As Part Of A Committee
After beginning the 2024 season as part of the Marlins starting rotation, A.J. Puk ended the year as a key part of the Diamondbacks bullpen. Early struggles and injury meant Puk started just four games before reverting to a relief role in Miami. He then excelled in Arizona following the July trade. In 27 1/3 IP, Puk had a 0-1 W-L record, 1.32 ERA, 0.73 WHIP, 43 Ks, and two saves. Puk also tallied seven holds for the Diamondbacks. Puk's 29.9% K% last year ranked in the 90th percentile, and this is why he should factor into high-leverage situations in 2025. Puk's 9.5% BB% (27th percentile) will cause some concern. But that was largely down to his struggles as a starter. Puk had a 5.1% BB% as a reliever in 2024. Being a leftie with elite strikeout numbers does mean the Diamondbacks will utilize Puk in key moments of games. We probably won't see Puk used exclusively as a closer, a role likely to be shared with Justin Martinez. But with excellent strikeout numbers, excellent ratios, and a prominent role in the later innings of games, Puk will tally enough saves to warrant rostering in any fantasy league.
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