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David Bednar 2023 Outlook: Everything You Want in an RP
2 years agoDavid Bednar might not be a household name, but he offers everything fantasy managers look for in a closer. Bednar's 2.61 ERA in 51⅔ IP last season was low enough to provide ratio help, and his 2.83 xFIP and 3.22 xERA suggest that he deserved most of it. Bednar also posted a K% of 32.9 primarily with an outstanding fastball (16.2 SwStr%, 53.4 Zone%) and splitter (17.6 SwStr%, 41.5 Zone%, 41% chase rate) combination. Bednar features a curve as well. It doesn't generate whiffs (12.1 SwStr%, 46.8 Zone%, 22.7% chase) like his other pitches but held opposing batters to a .190 average last season. Most importantly, Bednar offers job security in a role that real-life teams are increasingly moving away from. When he was on the shelf with a back injury in 2022, the team turned to Wil Crowe's 4.30 ERA, 20.5 K%, and 11.4 BB% in the ninth inning. Established relief additions are unlikely in Pittsburgh, making Bednar a great choice at his ADP of 108.69 as a reliable closer.
