If you’ve done a draft anytime in the last five seasons, you already know that one or two people in your league will jump at the opportunity to chase Edwin Diaz’s 57 saves in the 6th round. Don’t be that guy. “The elite relievers are reliable” they’ll say, while entirely ignoring the fact that you can get similar production to Edwin’s 2019 projections in the 20th round of your fantasy drafts. Not only that, but there will be 20+ chances to pick up saves throughout the season. Today, I’ll give you my relief pitcher rankings for your 2019 fantasy drafts, but before I do, let me tell you about four relievers I love, including two who might become the 2019 version of Diaz.
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Josh Hader (MIL) #11
Chris Sale was absolutely incredible last year, right? He gave fantasy owners a 2.11 ERA with a 0.86 WHIP, 12 wins and 237 Ks in 158 IP. As a result, he is being selected in the late first round of most fantasy drafts. Now consider this: Hader gave fantasy owners more than half of that production with a similar 0.81 WHIP, 2.43 ERA, 143 Ks and 6 wins, not to mention 12 saves. If you could trade an 11th round pick and 18th round pick for Sale, you’d do it in a heartbeat, so why not just grab Hader and Dellin Betances with those picks and essentially get the same stats as 2018 Sale produced?
Jordan Hicks (STL) #22
Jayson Stark recently wrote about how Hicks has the best fastball in MLB history and it isn’t even his best pitch. Hicks has a wipeout slider too and could be destined for well over 100 Ks this year. Keep in mind, he was only 21 years old in 2018, so we haven’t seen anywhere near his best. There are some lingering questions about who will close in St. Louis, but the Cardinals and Andrew Miller have both suggested Miller will be used in the Hader-type role with Hicks the heavy favorite to save. With tremendous ratios, tons of saves and 40+ save opportunities, it makes no sense why Hicks can be had at such a value.
Trevor May (MIN) #24
May missed most of the first half then was hidden in the Twins’ bullpen where he is expected to stay, and for good reason, as he was a better version of Kenley Jansen from the moment he came back. May’s 37.9% K-rate had him above both Jansen and Kimbrel, and his WHIP was better than every other reliever with at least a 36% k-rate besides Edwin Diaz and Josh Hader. The only difference between May and these elite names were the saves. In 2019, that should all change as May seems destined for the Twins’ closer job and a breakout season.
Pedro Strop (CHC) #27
Brandon Morrow is on the shelf for who knows how long. The Cubs have suggested he may be back in May with a major emphasis on the “may”. Regardless of when he comes back, Strop may do enough while filling in to claim the job all for himself. He has been extraordinarily consistent after all, posting a sub 3.00 ERA and sub 1.20 WHIP each of the last five seasons with a 28% k-rate in that time. Even if he doesn’t lock down the closer job by the time Morrow comes back, 10 saves would make him a value, but don’t forget that he has the upside for 40.
Other Rankings: C | 1B | 2B | 3B | SS | OF | SP (To be posted this week)
ADP – Average Draft Position
