Fantasy Baseball Bullpen Report: August 16

Each week I will breakdown closers and middle relievers in many different ways to provide you with all the information you need to have a successful fantasy bullpen.

Closers in Flux

Bud Norris (79% owned) – Norris converted on one save in two chances this week and has been dealing with hip soreness. He has only given up two earned runs across his last 8.2 innings pitched, but Jordan Hicks is pitching his way into a closing competition with Norris. Hicks picked up two saves and a hold this week while not allowing a run. Hicks has only given up one earned run across his last 13.1 innings pitched and is the future of the Cardinals closing role. For now, the job is still Norris’ to lose, but a bad outing or two could open the door fully for Hicks as the Cardinals try to make a playoff push.

Quick Hits

• 8/9 Wade Davis failed to keep the game tied in the ninth and his ERA jumped above 5.00 for the year.... Scott Alexander picked up a save for the Dodgers.
• 8/10 Adam Ottavino picked up a save with Wade Davis being unused.
• 8/11 Trevor Hildenberger picked up his first save of the year.... Jordan Hicks converted his third save.
• 8/12 Ken Giles notched his 13th save.... Seth Lugo picked up a save, Robert Gsellman was used in the eighth inning.
• 8/13 Gsellman nailed down a save, Lugo was used in the eighth inning.
• 8/14 Mychal Givens converted his fourth save.... Xavier Cedeño picked up a save as the White Sox closing carousel continues.... Trevor Hildenberger notched another save and appears to be the Twins closer going forward.

Blown Saves

*Top 10

*Note: I track blown saves that happened by guys who were brought into finish the game. Such as guys in the closer role, or other pitchers who were brought in late in the game. A guy who picks up a “blown save,” for example, in the 6^th inning is very irrelevant in my opinion, when tracking fantasy assets.

Who’s Hot?

Edwin Díaz (98% owned) – Diaz posted a rare five save week this week and his incredible season is starting to turn historic. As noted by Greg Jewett in last night’s Closing Bell, Diaz has recorded 24 one-out saves and that tied a record set by Eric Gagne in 2003, a record Diaz will likely be sole possessor of soon. This week in his five saves, he only allowed one run while striking out 12 across five innings. For the season, Diaz now has 47 saves, 103 strikeouts, a 1.95 ERA, and a 0.78 WHIP. Diaz has been by far and away the best reliever in both reality and in fantasy. Top-three. YTD stats: 60.0 innings, 47 saves, 103 Ks, 1.95 ERA.

Blake Treinen (90% owned) – Treinen pitched three times this week and converted on all three of his save chances. He struck out seven across three shutout innings pitched. Treinen has been lights out all year long and his 0.89 ERA and 1.59 FIP speak to that. He has not allowed a run over his last 10 appearances, a span of 11 innings pitched, and he has picked up eight saves in that time frame. There is no reason to think Treinen’s fantastic season will slowdown at any point and he should be looked at as one of the game’s top closers for the remainder of the season. Top-five. YTD stats: 61.0 innings pitched, 32 saves, 83 Ks, 0.89 ERA.

Who’s Cold?

Scott Alexander (24% owned) – Alexander was the presumed closer for the Dodgers after Kenley Jansen landed on the DL and while he did pick up a save this week, he also struggled mightily. He blew a save chance and also gave up four earned runs across just three innings pitched while only striking out two. Thus far in August, Alexander has given up seven runs (six earned) across just 6.1 innings pitched. He should still be in the mix for saves, but he will need to quickly start pitching better to stay in that mix. Bottom-tier. YTD stats: 54.1 innings pitched, 2 saves, 46 Ks, 3.81 ERA.  

Corey Knebel (82% owned) – Knebel’s rough year continued this week; he gave up five earned runs across two innings pitched and was pulled early in his lone save chance. He has now given up 13 earned runs across 19 innings pitched since the start of July. While he hasn’t been officially removed from the closing role, Manager Craig Counsell did note that the club has to find a way to get Knebel back on track. His strikeout rates are still elite – 53 Ks in 37.2 innings pitched – but his BAA is up .041 points compared to last year and he has given up seven home runs already after giving up just six across 76.0 innings pitched last season. Middle-tier. YTD stats: 37.2 innings pitched, 14 saves, 53 Ks, 4.78 ERA.

Middle Relievers of Note

This section will focus on closers in waiting or closer capable guys and how they are performing.

Adam Ottavino (58% owned) – Ottavino picked up a save this week and considering Wade Davis ’ season long struggles, more save chances could be heading Ottavino’s way soon. Ottavino has been elite across the board this year, with a 1.70 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, and 12.96 K/9. He is already owned in a lot of leagues, but if he is still available in your league, make sure to change that and add him to your roster. His strong ratios would make him a top-tier closer if he at some point is officially moved into that role. YTD stats: 58.1 innings pitched, 25 holds, 84 Ks, 1.70 ERA.

Taylor Rogers (2% owned) – Rogers is not the Twins closer, that role belongs to Trevor Hildenberger , but Rogers could pick up the occasional save chance if the opposing team has multiple lefties due up in the ninth. Rogers has been lights out thus far in August – 7.1 innings pitched, zero runs, 11 strikeouts – and that could lead to bigger roles in certain situations. For the season, Rogers has 58 strikeouts across 50.1 innings pitched and a 3.58 ERA.  He doesn’t have a lot of appeal in most leagues, but he is someone to keep an eye, especially since Hildenberger’s clench on the Twins closing gig is far from strong. YTD stats: 50.1 innings, 10 holds, 58 Ks, 3.58 ERA.

Holds

*Top 10

Stat Leaders

This simply provides the current top-5 closers in saves, strikeouts, ERA, and WHIP.  *I did not include Sean Doolittle , Brandon Morrow , or Kenley Jansen this week because of their extended DL stints.

Team Bullpen ERA

This section will look into the best and worst bullpens in the league, which can be helpful for DFS. If a team has a weak starting pitcher throwing that day and also a poor bullpen it can make for big days for hitters. A bad bullpen ERA also has an effect on how likely a starting pitcher is to pick up a win.

Recently Overworked

This highlights the bullpens that have been seeing both heavy usage and struggling over the last 7 days.

*Ownership percentages are based off Yahoo

Be sure to check out the Closer Grid which has regularly updated rankings. Also feel free to shoot me any questions on Twitter @JustinVreeland