Fantasy Baseball Player Notes
2019 Fantasy Baseball Rest of Season Notes
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1.
Aroldis Chapman
NYY
Chapman may not be as dominant as he once was, but he still clearly belongs within the elite tier of fantasy closers. Once again, fantasy owners can expect 100 Ks to go with plenty of saves and solid ratios.
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2.
Kirby Yates
SD
Yates is the latest of a long line of dominant closers for the Padres. He has been the single best fantasy closer through the first half thanks to loads of save opportunities to go with incredible ratios and that is all expected to continue.
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3.
Kenley Jansen
LAD
Jansen has been so good for so long that you might automatically assume him to be the top closer once again in 2019, but last year, he was nowhere close to it. Rather, his ERA plummeted to 3.01 with "just" 82 Ks. You can still grab him among the top tier, but you shouldn't even be considering taking him in the first five or six rounds.
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4.
Brad Hand
CLE
Cleveland struck gold in acquiring Brad Hand last year. He has been nothing but magic for them, continuing into this year when he struck out over 60 first half batters and already executed more than 25 saves.
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5.
Roberto Osuna
HOU
The change of scenery has proved useful for Osuna, who has done nothing but dominate since the deal to Houston. While he won't strike out 100 like some of the names above him, Osuna is a safe bet for 35 saves and excellent ratios.
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6.
Josh Hader
MIL
Hader has run into a bit of a cold spell in July but that is bound to happen to even the best relievers at one point or another. The fact of the matter is, he is on pace for 140 Ks again to go with 35+ saves and sparkling ratios.
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7.
Craig Kimbrel
CHC
Cubs fans have certainly hoped for more than Kimbrel has given them since the signing, but that should turn around quickly now that his version of Spring Training is officially up. Fantasy owners can expect a second tier closer over the second half.
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8.
Edwin Diaz
NYM
Diaz went from hero to zero in a short time. Granted, he still has 59 first half Ks but with an ERA above 5.00, many owners are wondering what they should do with Diaz. Keep him as long as he has the job but hoping for a turnaround may be too much to ask for.
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9.
Sean Doolittle
WSH
Doolittle is no longer a world beater for the Nationals or fantasy owners, but they can't complain about 48 first half Ks, nor the respectable ratios he continues to put up each and every month.
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10.
Will Smith
SF
Smith has been lights out for the Giants with 61 first-half Ks and a WHIP below 1.00. So long as he remains the closer, he will be an excellent fantasy option, but it seems likely San Francisco will deal him before long.
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11.
Ken Giles
TOR
The Blue Jays' closer role is not as coveted as some others, but Giles has certainly made the most of it with 57 first half Ks, an ERA below 2.00 and a WHIP south of 1.10. He isn't quite a top tier closer, but is close.
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12.
Raisel Iglesias
CIN
Iglesias hasn't racked up as many saves as fantasy owners had hoped for, nor are his ratios what you'd have expected, but he did have 50 first half Ks and is a strong bet to bounceback in the second half.
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13.
Alex Colome
CWS
Colome again has strong ratios with a WHIP now sitting at 0.80 but his 30 Ks through 39 first half innings is certainly nothing to write home about. Fantasy owners have a good one for sure, but he isn't in the elite conversation.
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14.
Jose Leclerc
TEX
It seemed like only a matter of time before the Rangers would turn back to Leclerc who has been excellent since removed from the closer role. It may happen due to performance or perhaps if Kelley's MRI doesn't show up as they'd hope. When it does, Leclerc may be a top 10 closer.
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15.
Hector Neris
PHI
Neris has had a rough month for the Phillies but he is still closing games and overall, has a solid first half line with over 50 Ks and a WHIP south of 1.20. He should be rostered in every league.
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16.
Liam Hendriks
OAK
As incredible as Hendricks has been with his 1.15 ERA and 1.01 WHIP to go with 69 Ks in 55 innings, he happens to share a roster with Blake Treinen, who may not be as great this season, but was the best closer in baseball last year. You can use Hendricks without a doubt, but know saves aren't going to be a big part of the equation.
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17.
Shane Greene
ATL
Greene is this year's version of Blake Treinen, posting absurd ratios while executing every save in sight. It may not keep up at quite this rate, but you can be sure he'll fall into the top 10 closers through the first half.
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18.
Wade Davis
COL
Davis has had ups and downs in his career but it has never been as rough as this year's 6 ERA and 1.70 WHIP. Assuming this continues, he may soon be replaced by Scott Oberg as the closer.
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19.
Taylor Rogers
MIN
The Twins entered the season with a three-headed-monster at the back end of their bullpen and it was Rogers who emerged as the clear closer thanks to 57 first half Ks to go with a sub 2 ERA and sub 1 WHIP.
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20.
Mychal Givens
BAL
While technically the closer, Givens hasn't had enough save opportunities to warrant putting up with his lackluster ratios. That may change in the second half but for now, you'd be better off rostering a setup man like Brandon Workman.
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21.
Archie Bradley
ARI
Bradley isn't a 90 strikeout guy, nor should we expect an ERA south of 2.00, but he is the heavy favorite to get saves in Arizona, which certainly counts for something. Granted, they won't win 80 games, but even 35 saves is plenty to warrant a late-round pick.
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22.
Carlos Martinez
STL
Martinez has performed well as the Cardinals closer and if that were expected to continue, he'd be a lock for the top 15 relievers, but it seems as though they might dangle him at the deadline and who knows what his role would be in a new situation.
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23.
Hansel Robles
LAA
Robles has been an excellent reliever for the surprise Angels, entering the second half with 46 Ks, a 2.56 ERA and a WHIP below 1.10. While that may not quite keep up, he is a strong bet to help fantasy owners in the second half.
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24.
Mark Melancon
ATL
Will Smith is the closer for now in San Francisco but he hasn't been all that durable, plus he may be on the trade market before long as a coveted lefty setup man. Don't sleep on Melancon getting saves again within a few months.
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25.
Brandon Workman
BOS
Workman has been terrific with 60 first-half Ks and incredible ratios. If you could add 20 saves to that, he would be elite, the Red Sox are insistent on keeping him in his current role while making Eovaldi the closer.
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26.
Emilio Pagan
TB
With Alvarado and Castillo both ahead of Pagan to begin the season, it seemed unlikely he would become a dominant closer, but here we are with him entering the second half with a sub 0.90 WHIP and 54 Ks in just 39 innings. He is the real deal.
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27.
Andrew Miller
STL
Carlos Martinez is now filling in for Jordan Hicks, but there are rumors that St. Louis is shopping him. If that were to happen, they may go with Gant or perhaps the lefty, Miller, who is back to cruising for the Cardinals.
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28.
Pedro Strop
CHC
Brandon Morrow is technically the Cubs' closer, but it seems as though he will miss at least a month to open the season. Strop was named the replacement but hasn't been great thus far so let's see if he can straighten himself out before Morrow tries to take the job back.
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29.
Joe Jimenez
DET
Most depth charts have Shane Greene slotted into the closer role for Detroit but this job is up in the air. Jimenez was an all-star last season, and while he pitched poorly down the stretch, don't sleep on him winning the job this spring.
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30.
Sergio Romo
MIN
Although he isn't the most exciting closer, Romo does, in fact, get the save opportunities for his team and isn't exactly struggling in the ratios. He won't strikeout even 60 batters this season but you can't find better on waivers.
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31.
Matt Barnes
BOS
Barnes is no longer the closer with Eovaldi back off the IL, and his ratios won't be ideal, but fantasy owners can bet on another 50+ second half Ks while rostering him as a fallback saves option should Eovaldi hit the IL again.
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32.
Adam Ottavino
NYY
As expected, Ottavino has been sensational outside of Coors Field. Even with Yankee Stadium being a hitter's haven, Ottavino carries a sub-two ERA with 61 Ks in 43 innings. Don't expect saves in this crowded pen though.
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33.
Ian Kennedy
KC
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34.
Max Fried
ATL
Fried entered the second half on the IL but when he returns, fantasy owners have a solid fifth starting pitcher who will pick up wins, strike out a handful of batters most start and won't kill your ratios at all.
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35.
Blake Parker
PHI
After Parker signed with the Twins, many assumed he will be the closer, but it seems as though Trevor May is the favorite. In fact, Parker is likely the third-best reliever in this bullpen behind May and Rogers so beware on draft day.
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36.
Luke Jackson
ATL
Jackson is on pace for well over 100 Ks this season and while his WHIP isn't great, he is racking up saves for a playoff contender and has virtually no competition for the job so fantasy owners can continue to rely on him.
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37.
Greg Holland
WSH
Holland had some struggles early on in St. Louis last year but has since then been lights out. He carries a 3.09 ERA with a 1.16 WHIP into the second half, and while be will never approach 100 Ks, he still strikes out 10 batters per nine.
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38.
Jeremy Jeffress
MIL
Josh Hader is the current closer in Milwaukee with Knebel out for the season but once Jeffress returns from the IL, that may quickly change. Jeffress is only owned in about 20% of leagues and should be among the top pickups with this potential outcome on the horizon.
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39.
Ross Stripling
LAD
While not as terrific as last year, Stripling hasn't disappointed by any measure other than the fact that the Dodgers' insane rotational depth hasn't allowed for enough innings. While he starts, however, Stripling is well worth owning.
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40.
Diego Castillo
TB
If you play in a deeper league, Castillo can be a ratio master that racks up plenty of saves, or better yet, if you employ the Marmol Strategy, Castillo qualifies as a starting pitcher so you can plug him on days where you don't have enough starters going.
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41.
Ty Buttrey
LAA
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42.
Ryan Pressly
HOU
Pressly is one of the best relievers in baseball, but unfortunately that doesn't add up to enough fantasy production to reach the top 20, as saves are crucial. Still, should anything happen to Osuna, he would become an immediate top 5 closer.
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43.
Zack Britton
NYY
Not only is Aroldis Chapman ahead of Britton in New York, but they also have Betances and Chad Green roaming around the pen. Chances are that Britton would get the first crack at saves if Aroldis went down, but it's no guarantee.
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44.
Yonny Chirinos
TB
Chirinos may not have the most impressive underlying metrics, but he just keeps getting it done from a ratio standpoint and as expected, the wins have followed. Don't expect 200 Ks or anywhere close, but he is a plenty useful piece for your rotation.
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45.
Tyler Glasnow
TB
The Rays were already taking their time with Glasnow then he had a setback so his return is still up in the air. It could happen in August, or perhaps he will be shut down for the season. You can't drop him yet just in case, however, as he would deliver top 15 SP numbers the moment he returns.
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46.
Shawn Kelley
TEX
Kelley is technically the closer for Texas and hasn't done all that bad, but with Jose Leclerc right behind him, there is no guarantee Kelley will have the job next week, let alone for the rest of the season.
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47.
Trevor May
MIN
May did not win the closer job in Minnesota. While he may get a few saves here and there, Rocco Baldelli is employing a true closer by committee approach. May can be used as a Josh Hader-lite, but otherwise is droppable.
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48.
Hunter Strickland
WSH
Strickland opened the year as the Mariners' closer but is now on the 60 day DL and isn't even guaranteed the job when or if he returns. There is no need to waste an IL spot on him for your fantasy roster.
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49.
Brandon Woodruff
MIL
Woodruff has been insane, striking out 133 first half batters to go with a 1.13 WHIP. You can look past that 3.53 ERA as the underlying metrics suggest it will come down in the second half, giving fantasy owners a total stud.
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50.
Roenis Elias
WSH
Elias is having a rough go with an ERA north of 5, but he is the closer for Seattle and should get another 15 to even 25 save opportunities over the second half. That may be reason enough to put up with the lousy ratios.
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51.
Kelvin Herrera
CWS
Herrera was presumably signed to close for the White Sox, but they also added Alex Colome who has closing experience. This one is too close to call for now so you may want to add both in a late round just to make sure you get some saves.
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52.
Ryan Brasier
BOS
There was speculation that Brasier might take the Red Sox open closer role, but he was passed over for Matt Barnes. While there is a chance that doesn't last all season, you can safely drop Braiser for now.
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53.
Ryan Yarbrough
TB
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54.
Cody Allen
FA
It seemed as though Ty Buttrey, Bedrosian and Anderson were going to compete for saves in LA, but then they signed Allen who figures to get the job. Don't be surprised if he losses the gig early, however, if he struggles like we saw last season. Don't consider him a lock for 25 saves again.
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55.
Brad Peacock
HOU
When Peacock returns to health, he is expected to be tossed back into the rotation even with rumors that Houston may acquire another arm. As long as Peacock continues starting, he will prove well worth a fantasy roster spot.
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56.
Michael Lorenzen
CIN
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57.
Seranthony Dominguez
PHI
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58.
Seth Lugo
NYM
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59.
Chad Green
NYY
Green wasn't as electric in 2018 as the year before, but he still registered 94 strikeouts with excellent ratios and 8 wins. He isn't the closer, nor does he have a path to saves, but you can certainly make a case for drafting him even in standard sized leagues.
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60.
John Gant
STL
Gant has been nothing but sensational for the Cardinals this year. He won't strike everyone out, but he is racking up wins while improving fantasy team ratios and may even have an outside chance at saves if Carlos Martinez is dealt.
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61.
Matt Strahm
SD
Strahm has shown enough promise that we can keep an eye on him in the second half, but more likely than not, he will only be an occasional streamer in home games against easy opponents.
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62.
Yoshihisa Hirano
ARI
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63.
Anthony Swarzak
ATL
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64.
Jeurys Familia
NYM
The Mets added the best closer in baseball this off-season so Familia takes a step back, but if anything happens to Diaz, Familia is the clear closer-in-waiting and would be top 20 at the position right away.
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65.
Brad Boxberger
FA
Boxberger is expected to hold off Peralta for the Royals' closer job, and while it may not be the most envied role, he should still be able to compile 20 to 25 saves if he can hang onto the job. His ratios won't be ideal, but he does offer some K-upside as we've seen before.
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66.
Wily Peralta
KC
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67.
Chris Martin
ATL
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68.
Pablo Lopez
MIA
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69.
Derek Law
TOR
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70.
Matt Magill
SEA
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71.
Giovanny Gallegos
STL
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72.
Keone Kela
PIT
Vasquez is the closer in Pittsburgh for now, but Kela has immense upside if he slips up or is injured so be sure to keep him on waiver wire speed dial.
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73.
Steve Cishek
CHC
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74.
Anthony Bass
SEA
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75.
Corbin Burnes
MIL
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76.
Jalen Beeks
TB
Beeks isn't technically a starting pitcher, but he is racking up the innings and has plenty of Ks to go along with it. More importantly, his ratios are stellar and he'll pick up some wins to go with it all.
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77.
Yoan Lopez
ARI
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78.
Mike Montgomery
KC
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79.
Amir Garrett
CIN
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80.
Dakota Hudson
STL
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81.
Colin Poche
TB
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82.
Craig Stammen
SD
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83.
Jordan Lyles
MIL
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84.
Zach Eflin
PHI
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85.
Asher Wojciechowski
BAL
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86.
Trevor Rosenthal
FA
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87.
Jarlin Garcia
MIA
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88.
Martin Perez
MIN
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89.
Adam Conley
MIA
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90.
Paul Fry
BAL
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91.
Shawn Armstrong
BAL
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92.
Carl Edwards Jr.
SD
It seems as though Pedro Strop will be the closer to open the season and eventually Brandon Morrow will get the job back. There is a chance Edwards slips in as the closer, however, but he has plenty of upside regardless of saves.
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93.
Jairo Diaz
COL
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94.
Daniel Hudson
WSH
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95.
Tommy Kahnle
NYY
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96.
Matt Albers
MIL
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97.
Ryne Stanek
MIA
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98.
Justus Sheffield
SEA
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99.
Kyle Barraclough
SF
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100.
Yusmeiro Petit
OAK
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101.
Jared Hughes
PHI
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102.
Joe Kelly
LAD
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103.
A.J. Ramos
FA
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104.
Joakim Soria
OAK
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105.
Daniel Ponce de Leon
STL
It seems as though the Cardinals have made up their mind about keeping Ponce de Leon in the rotation. He won't strike out many hitters, but perhaps he can win a few games while not hurting your ratios. Don't sleep on him being dealt for a pitcher like Stroman, however.
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106.
Brandon Kintzler
CHC
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107.
Marcus Walden
BOS
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108.
Pat Neshek
PHI
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109.
Adrian Houser
MIL
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110.
Aaron Bummer
CWS
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111.
Elieser Hernandez
MIA
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112.
Brad Brach
NYM
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113.
Chris Devenski
HOU
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114.
Luke Gregerson
STL
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115.
Carlos Martinez
MIA
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116.
Cam Bedrosian
LAA
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117.
Nick Wittgren
CLE
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118.
Richard Bleier
BAL
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119.
Sam Gaviglio
TOR
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120.
Heath Hembree
BOS
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121.
Bud Norris
TOR
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122.
Fernando Rodney
WSH
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123.
Alex Claudio
MIL
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124.
Chaz Roe
TB
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125.
Luiz Gohara
FA
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126.
Wade LeBlanc
SEA
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127.
Corbin Martin
ARI
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128.
Luis Cessa
NYY
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129.
Andres Munoz
SD
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130.
Adam Cimber
CLE
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131.
Jake Diekman
OAK
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132.
Ray Black
MIL
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133.
Addison Reed
FA
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134.
Brad Ziegler
FA
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135.
Tyler Thornburg
FA
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136.
John Brebbia
STL
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137.
Dominic Leone
STL
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138.
Victor Alcantara
DET
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139.
Tanner Scott
BAL
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140.
Fernando Romero
MIN
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141.
Trent Thornton
TOR
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142.
Adrian Sampson
TEX
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143.
Dan Altavilla
SEA
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144.
Tayron Guerrero
MIA
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145.
Alec Mills
CHC
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146.
Ryan Tepera
TOR
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147.
Joe Biagini
HOU
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148.
Trevor Hildenberger
MIN
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149.
Jimmie Sherfy
ARI
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150.
Keynan Middleton
LAA
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151.
Justin Anderson
LAA
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152.
Cionel Perez
HOU
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153.
Junior Guerra
MIL
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154.
Will Harris
HOU
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155.
David Hernandez
FA
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156.
Hector Rondon
HOU
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157.
Jace Fry
CWS
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158.
Taylor Cole
LAA
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159.
Caleb Ferguson
LAD
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160.
Pedro Baez
LAD
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161.
Brett Anderson
OAK
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162.
Tyler Clippard
CLE
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163.
Juan Nicasio
PHI
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164.
Ryan Buchter
OAK
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165.
Richard Lovelady
KC
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9/22/2019
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