2017 Fantasy Baseball Bullpen Report: The Hot Seat

The 2017 season is in full swing and most bullpens are taking a stronger shape. Jeanmar Gomez is the only guy to lose his job so far, but there are a few other guys on the hot seat. Maybe you aren’t happy with how your relievers are doing. Don’t panic, just breathe, it’s early in the season.

Closers in flux

Sam Dyson is an absolute mess. The guy has done nothing well, and should be forcing the Rangers’ hand to make a switch. As of now manager Jeff Banister has yet to unseat Dyson from the closer role, but I would be surprised to see him get the next save opportunity. He’s given up 11 earned runs in just three innings-pitched and has blown both save opportunities he’s been given. The other problem is Jeremy Jeffress is also struggling and Matt Bush is hurting, expected to be sidelined for a few days. Bush is the guy to own and, with a solid strikeout rate, could make for a decent fantasy closer if given the chance.

Blake Treinen blew a save chance this week and neither his 6.23 ERA nor his 1.62 WHIP are looking pretty. The job is still his, for now, but it doesn’t appear to be very secure.  Treinen walks a lot of guys and gets himself into trouble, but has, for the most part, done a solid job of working around it. Shawn Kelley would be next in line to get save opportunities if Treinen works his way out of the closers role.

Jim Johnson is a bottom tier closer and one you should avoid owning. He blew his first save chance of the season earlier this week in an extra inning loss to the Pirates. He did manage to get his first save of the season Wednesday. Johnson isn’t a big strikeout pitcher and gets hit around quite a bit. Add to that the Braves not being a very good team and you have a closer who doesn’t really do much for you in fantasy. Arodys Vizcaíno would be next in line for save chances if the Braves decide to mix up their bullpen.

Blown Saves

*Top 10

Who’s Hot?

Greg Holland (85% owned) makes his way into this section for the second-straight week. The guy has been incredible finishing out games for the Rockies. This week Holland picked up three saves in three chances. He also had six strikeouts over three innings, while again not allowing a run to score. He has had a huge jump in ownership percentage since last week and rightfully so. Year to date (YTD) stats: 5 innings, 5 saves, 8 Ks, 0.00 ERA.

Raisel Iglesias (83% owned) was dealing with multiple injuries throughout spring training which had many people worried about his role in the Reds’ pen. Iglesias has responded with a great start and should be easing his drafters’ fears. This week Iglesias threw 3.2 innings and picked up two saves. The Reds have shown their trust in the inexperienced closer with both his saves this week being five-plus outs. YTD stats: 5.2 innings, 3 saves, 6 Ks, 0.00 ERA.

Who’s Cold?

Francisco Rodriguez (90% owned) has started his season in typical Rodriguez-like form. He doesn’t seem to have many clean innings, but for the most part gets the job done. This week, K-Rod made three appearances giving up a run in two of them including one blown save.  While he may have a lot of sketchy outings, he usually manages to pick up the saves. He can worry you at times; but you knew what you were getting into when drafting him. His job security is fine and he will continue to get you saves at a cheap price. YTD stats: 4.1 innings, 3 saves, 3 Ks, 4.15 ERA.

Seung-Hwan Oh (96% owned) the 2016 fantasy reliever breakout star is having a nightmare start to the season and it didn’t get better this week. Oh made three appearances this week and allowed one run in two of them. He has tossed just one scoreless inning this season and has yet to pick up a save. Fantasy owners shouldn’t panic though, and if the owner of Oh in your league is looking to sell-low, I would buy. He is a safe bet to turn it around quickly. YTD stats: 4.2 innings, 0 saves, 2 Ks, 9.64 ERA.

Middle Relievers of note

Brad Brach (28% owned) is a strong own in holds leagues. He, of course, has Zach Britton on his team locking down save opportunities meaning Brach, barring injury, has very little upside for saves. YTD stats: 4 innings, 5 Ks, 3 holds, 0.00 ERA.

Arodys Vizcaíno (4% owned) is probably the best reliever in a very weak Braves bullpen. Jim Johnson hasn’t been good since 2012, and I don’t see him remaining the Braves closer for all of 2017. Vizcaíno would be first in line for save opportunities if the Braves make a change at closer. YTD stats: 4 innings, 2 Ks, 2 holds, 0.00 ERA.

Archie Bradley (5% owned) is another guy who is part of a weak bullpen. Bradley has been phenomenal in the early going, and if the Diamondbacks starters stay healthy and pitch well there is a chance Bradley could get a chance at closing this year. YTD stats:  6.2 innings, 10 Ks, 1 hold, 0.00 ERA.

A pair of Rockies, Mike Dunn (11% owned) and Adam Ottavino (39% owned), are off to great starts. Both make for solid owns in holds leagues, but with how Holland is pitching, neither will be getting save opportunities. YTD stats for Dunn: 5 innings, 8 Ks, 2 holds, 0.00 ERA. YTD stats for Ottavino: 4.2 innings, 8 Ks, 4 holds, 1.93 ERA.

The full 2016 breakdown for these 5 guys can be found in the chart below. *Bradley was a starter all of 2016.

Holds

*Top 10

*Ownership percentages are based off Yahoo

Be sure to check out the full Closers Grid for rankings and who is next in line for saves on each team.