Fantasy Baseball Player Notes

Ryan Helsley delivered an exceptional fantasy season in 2024, leading Major League Baseball with 49 saves in 53 opportunities-a 92.5% conversion rate. Over 65 appearances, he posted a 7-4 record with a 2.04 ERA and 79 strikeouts across 66.1 innings. His performance earned him the National League Reliever of the Year award and a spot on the All-MLB First Team. Helsley's dominance is supported by advanced metrics, including a .206 batting average against and a 29.7% strikeout rate, both improvements over his career averages. His 8.6% walk rate, however, suggests room for improvement in command. Notably, his 0.41 home runs per nine innings indicate effective suppression of long balls. While it's challenging to predict a repeat of his MLB-leading save total, Helsley's elite skills and role as the Cardinals' closer make him a solid choice for fantasy managers seeking reliability in the saves category.