Lucas Erceg

The Royals plan to use Lucas Erceg in high-leverage situations alongside closer Carlos Estevez, whether in the ninth inning for a save or earlier in key spots, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports. Erceg allowed one run on two hits with two strikeouts in his spring debut Wednesday, hitting 98.1 mph on his fastball.

Fantasy Impact

After securing 11 of Kansas City's 15 saves following his midseason trade from Oakland, Erceg was a strong candidate for the closer role before the Royals signed Estevez. While Estevez is expected to be the primary ninth-inning option, Erceg should still see occasional save opportunities when Estevez is unavailable or when matchups favor his usage earlier in games. His ability to miss bats and handle high-pressure situations makes him a valuable late-inning weapon for Kansas City.

Lucas Erceg delivered a flawless inning, striking out one and securing the save as the Royals topped the Nationals 7-4 on Thursday.

Fantasy Impact

This performance underscores Erceg's role as a reliable closer for Kansas City, especially given his solid season stats including a 3.36 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP. His ability to maintain a high strikeout rate (10.5 K/9) and a strong strikeout-to-walk ratio (4.50) continues to make him a valuable asset in fantasy leagues, particularly in categories that reward saves and strikeouts. While his two blown saves this season might raise some eyebrows, his overall consistency and role stability should keep him rostered in most fantasy formats.

Lucas Erceg tossed a perfect inning to notch a save in the Royals' 3-0 victory over the Nationals on Wednesday.

Fantasy Impact

He threw 12 pitches, striking out one without allowing any hits or walks. This performance underscores his role as a reliable closer for Kansas City, especially given his solid season stats including a 3.41 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP. His ability to maintain a high strikeout rate (10.5 K/9) and a strong strikeout-to-walk ratio (4.44) continues to make him a valuable asset in fantasy leagues, particularly in categories like saves and WHIP. Despite a few hiccups with blown saves this season, Erceg's latest outing should reassure fantasy managers of his capability in clutch situations.

Lucas Erceg delivered a perfect inning, striking out two and securing the save as the Royals edged out the Nationals 1-0 on Tuesday.

Fantasy Impact

This performance not only added another save to his tally but also showcased his ability to handle high-pressure situations effectively. With a season ERA of 3.47 and a WHIP of 1.09, Erceg continues to be a reliable option for strikeouts and saves in fantasy leagues, despite a few hiccups with blown saves earlier in the season. His impressive 10.4 K/9 and 4.25 strikeout-to-walk ratio further solidify his standing as a valuable asset for fantasy teams needing late-inning stability.

Lucas Erceg worked around a hit to throw a scoreless ninth inning on Sunday against the Twins.

Fantasy Impact

Erceg worked around a leadoff single. He needed just 16 pitches to earn his 11th save on the season.