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Justin Lawrence 2024 Fantasy Baseball Outlook: Potential Undervalued Saves In Colorado
9 months agoColorado Rockies relief pitcher Justin Lawrence is competing for the team's closer role. Lawrence had four wins and 11 saves with a 3.72 ERA, a 1.35 WHIP, and 78 strikeouts in 75 innings last year. The 29-year-old started the year with a 1.47 ERA through mid-May when he ascended to the closer role after Pierce Johnson was traded to the Atlanta Braves. He struggled to a 5.32 ERA in the second half before losing the job to Tyler Kinley in September. Lawrence features a hard sinker and an outstanding sweeper, but his biggest issue remains the free pass; he issued walks at an 11% clip in 2023. A heavy groundball pitcher, his 48.8% was in the 79th percentile. With a current NFBC ADP of 384, Lawrence could easily get you 20 saves if he becomes Colorado's primary closer. The right-hander is going late in most drafts and should rack up double-digit saves. ATC projections are on board with this assessment and project Lawrence for 11 saves in 2024.
