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Roberto Osuna 2020 Outlook: A High-Ceiling Reliever With A Lower Than Usual Cost
5 years agoHouston Astros reliever Roberto Osuna is coming off a 38-save season with a 2.63 ERA and 73 strikeouts in 66 innings. The 38 saves were second-best in baseball and tops in the AL. That makes him a top-tier closer option heading into the 2020 season. Not only did the former-Toronto reliever impress in the traditional fantasy statistics, but his advanced numbers also back up his sterling season. He had a SIERA of 3.18 and a FIP of 3.21, which were both top-16 among relievers that pitched at least 60 innings last season. Osuna also ranked tied for the fourth-lowest wOBA (.237) and 14th in xwOBA (.257) among all pitchers that saw at least 250 PA. The right-handed pitcher currently has an ADP sitting at 91 and is the fourth true reliever taken off the board behind Josh Hader, Kirby Yates, and Aroldis Chapman. Osuna arguably has the highest ceiling of those four with his combination of health (at least 60 IP in every season except his 2018 suspension) and save opportunities (Astros have finished top-three in save opportunities every season since 2017). Closers are not valued like they used to be this draft season, and the chance to take advantage of this trend and draft Roberto Osuna is one a smart fantasy baseball manager should consider.
