Relief Pitcher Adds (3/28/19 – 4/7/19)

Own % Based on Standard Yahoo Leagues

 

The focus of this article is on stat punt strategies or “The Marmol Strategy” as we punt Wins and Strikeouts, focusing on strong closers and elite non-closers. I will cover Starting Pitchers in the “Two-Start Pitchers and Streamers” weekly and Hold/ Closer Stashes in separate posts.

*The Phillies bullpen is a crapshoot at the moment thanks to manager Gabe Kapler and early season struggles from Robertson and Dominquez. I have not mentioned them below but I would rank them in this order (David Robertson, Seranthony Dominguez, Hector Neris, Pat Neshek and keep an eye on Adam Morgan and Edubray Ramos in holds leagues)

 

Ryan Brasier – BOS (48%)

2018 Statistics: (34 G) 2 W, 0 SV, 1.60 ERA, 0.77 WHIP, 29 K/ 7 BB in 33.2 IP

2019 Statistics: (5 G) 0 W, 2 SV, 0.00 ERA, 0.80, 4 K/ 1 BB in 5 IP

With the Red Sox utilizing Matt Barnes in a Josh Hader like multi-inning role, Ryan Basier has worked solely in the ninth and should receive the majority of save chances going forward. Although Brasier has a limited track record making only 46 career appearances, he has a strong 1.51 ERA, .86 WHIP with 40 K/ 12 BB in 47.2 IP. Although the Red Sox have struggled early on, they should provide enough save chances for both Barnes and Brasier to have value.

2019 Projections: 10 – 15 SV, 2.10 – 2.20 ERA, 1.00 – 1.10 WHIP, K per IP

 

Blake Parker – MIN (47%)

2018 Statistics: *with LAA (67 G) 2 W, 14 SV, 3.26 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 70 K/ 19 BB in 66.1 IP

2019 Statistics: (4 G) 0 W, 2 SV, 2.70 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, 1 K/ 2 BB in 3.1 IP

While most assumed Trevor May would start the season as the Twins closer, it has been Parker and specialist Tyler Rodgers receiving save opportunities. Parker has struggled to stay healthy in his career but is effective when on the field with solid career numbers (233 G) 3.28 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 257 K/ 70 BB in 227 IP. Parker has experience closing with 22 saves over the past two seasons with the Angels and could lead the Minnesota committee in saves.

2019 Projections: 10 – 15 SV, 2.90 – 3.00 ERA, 1.00 – 1.10 WHIP, over K per IP

 

Anthony Swarzak – SEA (40%)

2018 Statistics: *with NYM (29 G) 0 W, 4 SV, 6.15 ERA, 1.59 WHIP, 31 K/ 14 BB in 26.1 IP

2019 Statistics: (2 G) 0 W, 1 SV, 0.00 ERA, 0.00 WHIP, 2 K/ 0 BB in 1.2 IP

Hunter Strickland is expected to miss the next several months with a strained lat, opening the door for Swarzak on a surprisingly good Seattle team. Like Parker, Swarzak has had trouble staying on the field but is also very effective when healthy. While his career numbers look poor, Swarzak had strong production with the White Sox and Brewers in 2017 accumulating 6 W, 2 SV, 2.33 ERA, 1.03 WHIP with 91 K/ 22 B in 77.1 IP. With the opportunity to run away with the closing role on a surprisingly competitive team, Swarzak needs to be owned in more leagues.

2019 Projections: 5 – 10 SV, 3.20 – 3.30 ERA, 1.10 – 1.20 WHIP with over a K per IP

 

Jeremy Jeffress – MIL (34%)

2018 Statistics: (73 G) 8 W, 15 SV, 1.29 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 89 K/ 27 BB in 76.2 IP

2019 Statistics: 0  games played

Corey Knebel is out for the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, the Brewers are no longer rumored to have interest in signing free agent closer Craig Kimbrel and while Josh Hader has been excellent as the closer this season, he is more valuable in a multi-inning role. The Brewers bullpen is extremely talented and deep with several possible closing options, but Jeffress has had success last year in the role and has closing experience with the Brewers in 2016 saving 27 games. Jeffress is currently on the IL, but is set to return in the next few weeks making for a strong IR stash if still available.

2019 Projections: 15 – 20 SV, 2.00 – 2.10 ERA, 1.00 – 1.10 WHIP over a K per IP

 

Diego Castillo – TB – SP/RP (26%)

2018 Statistics: (43 G) 4 W, 0 SV, 2 BS, 10 H, 3.18 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 65 K/ 18 BB in 56.2 IP

2019 Statistics: (6 G) 0 W, 1 SV, 3 H, 0.00 ERA, 0.43 WHIP, 7 K/ 1 BB in 7.0 IP

While Jose Alvarado has received the majority of save opportunities in the early going, Diego Castillo has also been used in the role while being used as the setup man. Especially useful for Marmol Strategy users who can place Castillo in an otherwise vacant SP slot, he also has increased value in holds leagues. With strong career numbers (4 Wins, 11 H, 1 SV, 2.97 ERA, 0.97 WHIP with 69 K – 19 BB in 60.2 IP), Castillo needs to be owned in all standard leagues.

2019 Projections: 5 – 10 SV, 15 – 20 H, 2.60 – 2.70 ERA, 1.00 – 1.10 WHIP over a K per IP