RADIO
Relief pitchers to monitor for holds or as closer handcuffs for Week 21. Rick Graham analyzes under-the-radar RP as deep league targets or waiver wire adds.
Today and every Tuesday moving forward throughout the 2018 MLB season, we will take a deep dive into some of the lesser-owned relief pitchers on the market that are worth keeping tabs on.
This can be a good tool for those in deeper holds leagues, although any pitcher in a position to make a move on their respective team's closer job will get priority.
Below are my relief pitchers to target for Week 21 of the fantasy baseball season. Let's get to it.
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Under-the-Radar Relievers to Watch - Week 21
Ryan Brasier, Boston Red Sox - 1% owned
Brasier has been working as the Red Sox 7th/8th inning set up man lately and has yet to disappoint. The 30-year-old journeyman had last pitched in the majors in 2013 and spent last year in Japan prior to signing a minor league deal with the Sox and has been one of the teams biggest surprises. Through 18 innings, his ERA still sits at 1.00 with a .78 WHIP, 2.00 FIP and 16.9 SwStr%. All those numbers are nice, and his stuff (97-98 MPH fastball with a wipeout slider) has me believing he may be able to keep this up. The BABIP (.205) will inevitably increase some, along with his ERA and WHIP, but for the time being, he is definitely worth an add in holds leagues.
Taylor Rogers, Minnesota Twins - 4% owned.
Rogers has been on fire this past month and with the trades of Ryan Pressly and Fernando Rodney finds himself in a prime setup role in front of new closer Trevor Hildenberger. He is sporting a 2.45 ERA and 1.00 WHIP over the past month, which is great, but the real surprise here is the 17 strikeouts over 11 innings in that span. His K/9 for this two-year career entering the season was under nine, and now this season he is sitting at 10.17, while also seeing a career-low BB/9 (2.28). His four holds over the last 14 days ain't too shabby either, making him someone worth a look in holds leagues.
Jace Fry, Chicago White Sox - 4% owned
Fry continues to show that he is the teams most dominant reliever...at times. His inconsistency is frustrating to deal with but he has been great as of late and owners in deep standard leagues should take notice cause he may see some save chances moving forward. In his past five outings, Fry has a 12/2 K/BB ratio while allowing just one hit and just so happened to close out Sundays game (his first save since May 20).
