Hansel Robles 2020 Outlook: Under The Radar Saves Option
4 years agoLos Angeles Angels reliever Hansel Robles had a terrific 2019 campaign in his first season as a full-time closer. He converted 23 of his 27 opportunities while sporting a 2.48 ERA and 1.02 WHIP through 72.2 frames of work. The right-hander established a career-best 5.7% BB% while his 26.5% K-rate helped him earn his highest K-rate since he broke into the majors in 2015. Robles was able to achieve this by adding a changeup to his arsenal that complemented his 97.2 MPH fastball tremendously. This off-speed delivery collected an elite 36.0% Whiff% and .175 batting average against with no homers allowed thanks to a stellar 70.5% ground ball rate. Robles should keep strong ratios with this elusive changeup in his back pocket as he returns to the ninth-inning role for an improving Angels ball club in 2020. Coming off a disappointing 72-win season, a 30-save campaign also isn't out of the question with the team expected to win more in the upcoming season. Robles doesn't have the ceiling of a top-five closer, but his 172 ADP carries plenty of potential value as the 18th reliever off the board as he enters his contract year.