6 years agoNew York Yankees relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman saved 32 games for New York in 2018, posting a 2.45 ERA and 1.05 WHIP. For the second straight season, Chapman dealt with injuries but saw his ERA drop from 3.22 in 2017. He also walked 5.3 batters per nine after allowing 3.6 walks per nine in 2017. No matter his issues, though, Chapman still struck out 16.3 batters per nine last season and allowed just 24 hits in 51 1/3 innings. Chapman had back issues that sidelined him at the end of the season and he closed the year with a 5.40 ERA over his last 8 1/3 innings of the year. He also walked 10 batters in that time period but struck out 17. This came after Chapman had a 1.88 ERA and 20 walks in 43 innings leading into August, going 3-0 with 29 saves in 30 attempts. There are many that think that Chapman was playing through an injury at the end of the season and that his performance in the earlier part of the season (which included a .458 OPS allowed) is more indicative for his 2019 projections. With 15+ K/9 potential and less than five hits per nine allowed for his career, Chapman has all of the makings of the top RP heading into 2019. With Craig Kimbrel likely gone from Boston and Kenley Jansen dealing with serious heart issues, Chapman is the safest bet inside of the top-five relievers. There have been issues with his control throughout his career (and health over the last two seasons), but his ability to limit hits will keep traffic off the base paths. Look for a sub-2.50 ERA, 35+ saves, and 100 strikeouts from the 31-year-old Cuban. Early drafters aren't shying away and are taking Chapman in the sixth round.--Chris Zolli