Week 8 Recap (RP Adds under 50%)

12 Team Standard scoring settings/ roster %s

 

RP Adds under 50%:

 

Adam Ottavino – NYM (33%)

2023/ 22 G: 0 W, 5 SV, 5 HLD, 4.58 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 19.2 IP/20 K/6 BB

2022/ 66 G: 6 W, 3 SV, 19 HLD, 2.06 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 65.2 IP/79 K/16 BB

All-star closer Edwin Diaz suffered a season-ending injury in the World Baseball Classic forcing David Robertson into an almost full-time closing role but is also used in high leverage allowing Ottavino the occasional save opp. Recorded 5th save Friday vs COL with Robertson pitching the 8th. Ottavino has a solid career K rate but control issues, career 645 IP/747 K/280 BB, 1.28 WHIP, with Boston in 2021 1.45 WHIP but recorded a career-high 11 saves with 22 holds. While not a full-time closer should see save chances when Robertson works earlier in games or is rested.

 

Hector Neris – HOU (24%)

2023/ 22 G: 3 W, 2 SV, 8 HLD, 1.25 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 21.2 IP/26 K/8 BB

2022/ 70 G: 6 W, 3 SV, 25 HLD, 3.72 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 65.1 IP/79 K/17 BB 

Has closing experience recording 26, 11, and 28 saves from 2017 – 2019 with Philadelphia. Rafael Montero has struggled mightily this season after working primarily as the main setup option last season allowing Neris to take over his role. Current closer Ryan Pressly is now 34 years old and tends to miss a stretch of time every season. Neris is worth rostering in non-hold leagues for ratios and K/9, already rostered in hold leagues.

 

Brusdar Graterol – LAD (21%)

2023/ 23 G: 2 W. 3 SV, 6 HLD, 2.08 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 21.2 IP/17 K/3 BB

Tuesday vs Atlanta Phillips pitched the 5th inning earning a win while Graterol closed out the game recording his third save. Despite possessing elite velocity Graterol has never translated his stuff into strikeouts. Daniel Hudson will eventually return eating into Graterol’s role but for now, is the second in line for saves behind Phillips for the division-leading Dodgers (32-22).

 

Deeper League RP Adds under 20%:  

 

Erik Swanson – TOR (18%)

2023/ 24 G: 2 W, 0 SV, 11 HLD, 3.38 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 24 IP/30 K/13 BB

2022/ 57 G: 3 W, 3 SV, 14 HLD, 1.68 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, 53.2 IP/70 K/10 BB (w/ SEA)

2021/ 33 G: 0 W, 1 SV, 5 HLD, 3.31 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 35.1 IP/35 K/10 BB

After two poor seasons to start his career started to emerge in 2021 before putting up elite numbers in 2022 with Seattle. Signed with Toronto in the offseason with the expectation to setup closer Jordan Romano. Was putting up similar production to last but recently has had a poor stretch inflating his season-long numbers. After giving up 6 ER in 2.2 IP 5/20 increasing ERA from 1.33 to 3.52 and WHIP from 0.74 to 1.04. Hopefully, the time off has allowed Swanson to right the ship and will go back to expected productivity on a good Toronto team (27-26).

 

Matt Moore – LAA (17%) – recently placed on IL w/ oblique strain (5/28)

2023/ 22 G: 3 W, 0 SV, 12 HLD, 1.44 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, 25 IP/21 K/7 BB

2022/ 63 G: 5 W, 5 SV, 14 HLD, 1.95 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 74 IP/83 K/38 BB (w/ TEX)

A former top pitching prospect with the Rays, has bounced around the league joining SF in 2016, TEX, DET, PHI before converting to a bullpen role with Texas last season. Pitched well despite a bottom 4% BB% at 12.5 but the BB% has improved currently at 7.4% leading to a 0.80 WHIP. Moore has emerged as the main setup option for breakout closer Carlos Estevez after Jose Quijada suffered a season-ending injury and Jimmy Herget struggled leading to a demotion. The duo have combined to put up a 1.33 ERA with Moore almost surpassing his HLD total from last season in only 22 G.

 

Brooks Raley – NYM (9%)

2023/ 20 G: 1 W, 1 SV, 11 HLD, 3.24 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 16.2 IP/16 K/6 BB

2022/ 60 G: 1 W, 6 SV, 25 HLD, 2.68 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 53.2 IP/61 K/15 BB

After struggling to find a home pitching on three different teams his first three seasons, Raley eventually secured a role with the Astros in 2021 accumulating 2 W, 2 SV, 10 HLD despite poor ratios 4.78 ERA, 1.20 WHIP. Raley parlayed that into a two-year 10 million contract with Tampa Bay where he really emerged, recording 1 W, 6 SV, 25 HLD with a 2.68 ERA and 0.97 WHIP. While Raley has regressed with the Mets compared to last season still ranks in the 95th percentile in avg exit velocity, 98th hardhit%, and 80th in xBA. His K% has dropped from 27.9 to 23.5 and has a 3.63 xERA but should be in the mix for saves as the lefty specialist behind David Robertson who works high leverage and Adam Ottavino.

 

Hunter Harvey – WAS (7%)

2023/ 23 G: 2 W, 2 SV, 10 HLD, 3.70 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 24.1 IP/30 K/8 BB

2022/ 38 G: 2 W, 0 SV, 6 HLD, 2.52 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 39.1 IP/45 K/12 BB

A former 1st round pick (22nd overall) in 2013 and top prospect with Baltimore, Harvey has had issues staying healthy appearing in 26 G from 2019 – 2021. In November of 2021 Harvey was claimed off waiver by the Giants, then designated for assignment in March of 2022, the Nationals claimed him off waivers a week later. Harvey has frustratingly squandered recent opportunities to move ahead of Finnegan allowing 3 runs in two blown saves where Finnegan had set him up. 5/16 BS inflating ERA from 1.96 to 3.32, WHIP from 0.93 to 1.05, then three scoreless outings 5/20 HLD, 5/21 SV, 5/24 HLD, before another BS on 5/25 (2.82 ERA – 3.86, 0.90 WHIP – 0.99). Harvey ranks in the 98th percentile in fastball velocity/ 89th in K% but bottom 8th in avg exit velocity and 11th in hardhit%. Finnegan has been decent, securing 11 saves in 13 opportunities, despite a 4.50 ERA, 1.60 WHIP with only 20K in 20 IP. While Harvey has struggled to take over the role he has superior skills/ prospect pedigree and there is a chance Finnegan is moved at the deadline.