March 6, 2018

If you have ever seen the meme of the guy checking out another woman while holding the hand of his taken aback partner, then you have a pretty good understanding of Alex Claudio’s role in the Texas Rangers’ bullpen. Without the sort of strikeout skills typically associated with closers, the 26-year old collected 11 saves on 15 chances after Matt Bush and Sam Dyson managed to pitch their way out of the role. Claudio was steady and unspectacular, finishing with a 2.50 ERA and 3.21 FIP with just a 6.10 K/9. While the lefty is about as unsexy as it gets, he gives only 1.63 BB/9 and 0.54 HR/9. He is a classic groundball inducing sinker baller that allows hard contact on just 25.2% of contact. Claudio does induce an impressive amount of swings on pitches outside of the zone with an O-Swing rate of 42.6%, but what you see is what you get. However, Claudio represents a pretty solid investment at the end of drafts. The lack of clarity regarding his role suppresses his perceived value, but the truth is there are not a lot of other options for the Rangers. There is no reason to think that Claudio could actually hold the job all season in a situation reminiscent of the Twins and Brandon Kintzler. With a likely closer role, a low ERA and WHIP, and going with the 310th pick overall, there is almost no downside to grabbing him late and riding him as long as you can.--Sean Scampton