RADIO
Pete Fairbanks 2024 Player Outlook: Top Reliever In 2024 If Health Matches Talent
11 months agoDespite two IL stints last year, Pete Fairbanks still managed to set a career-high with 45.1 IP. The results were outstanding, with a 2-4 W-L record, 2.58 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 68 Ks and 25 saves. It should come as no surprise that the strikeouts and saves were both career-highs as well. Over the last three seasons, Fairbanks has only totaled 112.0 IP but has a 2.65 ERA and amassed 162 Ks. His ERA isn't lucky either, as Fairbanks had a 2.83 xFIP and 2.82 SIERA last year and a 2.83 xFIP and 2.75 SIERA since 2021. Fairbanks also seemed to do the impossible and emerge from the Rays bullpen as the leading closer. His 25 saves were more than twice as many as the next reliever (Jason Adam with 12 saves). Following his activation off of the IL for the second time on June 15, Fairbanks accounted for 20 of the 24 saves the Rays bullpen tallied until the end of the season. There's no reason to believe he won't be the main closer in Tampa Bay for the 2024 season. Providing Fairbanks can keep off the IL, he is certain to outperform his ADP and be a top-5 fantasy reliever.
