Some of the more vaunted closers in the game are struggling as the calendar unfolds into May. Devin Williams might be getting demoted to a lower-leverage role in New York. Emmanuel Clase is battling shoulder soreness and pitched in the eighth inning yesterday. Ryan Walker is being hunted down by Camilo Doval in San Francisco. In each space, we give you a handcuff to these struggling stars of the bullpens, and try to give you some choices for holds as well. Let’s jump right in.
Fantasy Baseball Bullpen Report
AL East
Are we seeing a split in Boston? Earlier this week, Aroldis Chapman got a hold setting up Justin Slaten for the save. On the season, Chapman has four saves, and Slaten three. Keep an eye out here.
Devin Williams continues to struggle in New York, with an ERA over 11.00 and a 2.375 WHIP. He does have four saves, but he has looked a little lost to start the season. Williams blew yet another save on Friday night. His K-BBÂ is a paltry 2.3 right now; a bloated 15.9% BB% is brutal. No word yet on whether manager Aaron Boone will look to give Williams a breather to try and find his stuff again; Boone said yesterday in his press conference, “We’ll see.” If he does, look for Luke Weaver to step back into the role for a time. Fernando Cruz has also been terrific in the early going. Williams has a track record, of course, but the Yankees are competing in the always tough AL East. One to watch here.
Jeff Hoffman keeps rolling in Toronto, earning his sixth save this season against a 1.36 ERA and 39.6% K%. Preseason questions about his shoulder seem to have vanished at this time.
AL Central
Chicago: It is a tumultuous season full of losing again, and not many opportunities abound here. Lefty Brandon Eisert earned a save on Thursday, with would-be closer Jordan Leasure earning the hold after taking the loss on Wednesday. The Sox could really use some bullpen help, and it’s possible that lefty Cam Booser could be in this mix, too. If you are looking for a prospect who could close here, check out Grant Taylor, who could get a promotion in the coming weeks and has closer stuff.
Is Emmanuel Clase on the hot seat in Cleveland? He had not pitched since Sunday because of what has loosely been described as a shoulder issue. This should worry you; we suggested in the winter that a consistent pattern of overuse the last four years (Clase has pitched in at least 70 games four years running) could lead to wear and tear on Clase. Should he miss time or lack effectiveness, the handcuff here is Cade Smith and not Hunter Gaddis, based on the current pattern. Smith had three saves this week for Cleveland, so if he is available in deeper leagues, you might want to grab him now. Gaddis will remain a fine pick for holds leagues. Interestingly, Clase pitched Saturday night in the eighth, giving Smith the ninth and his third save of the week. Manager Stephen Vogt told reporters after the game that due to the layoff, the plan was to get him into a lower leverage spot right off. Vogt remained committed to Clase as his closer. One to watch here.
In Detroit, it looks like a committee between Will Vest and Tommy Kahnle. This is a good team in need of a potential upgrade at the back end. My friend and cohost of “The Fantasy Baseball Beat” suggested this week that the team should reach out to free agent David Robertson, and he’s right! Vest has two saves this week.
We’re watching Kansas City, where they have two viable closers in Carlos Estevez and Lucas Erceg. Estevez hit a trifecta this week: a win, a blown save, and a save in his last three appearances. On Friday night, Erceg got the save, his first one this season, presumably because Estevez was getting a rest. Estevez has seven saves, and Erceg has eight holds already. This is the setup…for now. Estevez got his seventh save on Saturday night.
AL West
Josh Hader is his usual sturdy self in Houston. The veteran lefty has seven saves, a tidy 0.69 ERA, and a 35.4% K%. He’s still the man there and one of the top closers in all of baseball. The two Byrans, Abreu and King, have eight and seven holds, respectively.
Texas: Luke Jackson is the closer right now, but could Texas use an upgrade here? Jackson has two saves this week, giving him eight on the season, but also blew one spectacularly on Thursday night. The 18.2% K% does not give credibility to his role as closer, and you can look at the Statcast below and see that it is less than inspiring. Chris Martin and Robert Garcia are also in this bullpen, but this team could use a closer. Yet the Rangers are 15-11 and in first place in the competitive AL West.
NL East
Daysbel Hernandez has moved into the top setup role in Atlanta. He has two wins and a hold in his last three appearances. Raisel Iglesias is the closer with four saves and a 6.00 ERA, and that has not helped the Braves’ 11-14 start. Dylan Lee earned his first save Saturday night in a game that Iglesias won.
It’s a committee in Miami. Calvin Faucher, Jesus Tinoco, and Anthony Bender will all vie for the scant saves here. Tinoco had two saves this week, and Faucher a win and a save as well. These are three guys without overpowering stuff, so look for this committee to continue until someone separates themselves by either good or bad performances.
Those worried about a potential injury to Edwin Diaz: he returned on Saturday and earned his seventh save of the season.
Kyle Finnegan has nine saves for the Washington Nationals, but did blow one on Friday night. Jose A. Ferrer has seven holds despite a bloated 6.28 ERA.
NL Central
Chicago: The Ryan Pressly watch is on. The veteran reliever has not pitched since last Sunday, and Porter Hodge earned a win and a save this week for the Cubs. Pressly has a 61% groundball rate, but the rest of the stuff looks less promising, like a 10.6% K%. Yikes. This feels reminiscent of last year’s tightrope act when the Cubs gave Hector Neris a long run before turning the reins over to Hodge. One to watch this week.
Watching this situation unfold in Cincinnati. Emilio Pagan has proved heroic for the Reds, earning six saves thus far with a 2.19 ERA and a 26.2% K%. Alexis Diaz came off the IL this week and pitched once midweek, and Tony Santillan has seven holds. I still think Graham Ashcraft will have a sizable role in this bullpen when Terry Francona figures out all of these roles. Their best bullpen might look like Ashcraft in a multiple-inning stopper role, with Pagan and Santillan setting up, and Diaz closing, but this is a big if. Pagan had three saves this week and is in the driver’s seat…for now.
I am really unsure of what will happen in Milwaukee. There has been lots of shifting lately; Abner Uribe is back in a setup role, and the team called up prospect Craig Yoho this week. Usually reliable veteran Joel Payamps has been demoted to a middle relief role due to his grotesque 14.63 ERA. Trevor Megill appears to have the job for now, but blew a save on Saturday. We will watch and see what happens this week.
David Bednar is back in Pittsburgh and earned a save on Friday night. It didn’t take long for him to earn the job back. Dennis Santana is best served in a setup role. This bullpen will be best served with Bednar closing.,
NL West
Arizona: Justin Martinez should be the closer choice now with A.J. Puk out and seeking other opinions on his elbow. Shelby Miller and Jalen Beeks could also get some chances here.
In San Francisco, we had suggested that Camilo Doval would be lurking, and he’s earned three saves this week as Ryan Walker has continued to struggle despite his five saves. Walker is the type of pitcher who has been successful in multiple roles for the Giants. Doval seems to have found his stuff again. Walker did get a win on Saturday, but his 5.91 ERA leaves much to be desired for the Giants. Doval and Walker both have five saves.
