Reynaldo López may not look like much of a fantasy asset right now given his high ERA and WHIP, but he’s pitched much better as of late and with Liam Hendriks due to miss some time, seems likely to find himself in a high-leverage role again. We were excited about Reynaldo early on in the season because of the increased velocity and he’s been able to turn that into swings and misses (15.1% SwStr rate), but there’s also been a command issue and HR issue that’s held him back. He has not allowed a HR since May 4th, and has not allowed a run over the past month (13 IP) although the walk rate could still improve. I’m still holding out hope he can put things together here, and given the current state of the non-closer relievers, feel comfortable taking a chance on him as a Top 30-40 holds option.
Notes
- Pete Fairbanks is allegedly scheduled to return to the Rays’ bullpen this week, there were earlier reports saying it would be early in the week but obviously, that is not the case. This will always be the headache in rostering Fairbanks as it feels like he is always battling some sort of injury. Still, we all know the immense upside he brings so he needs to be rostered once activated.
- After not having a SV or Hold since April, Griffin Jax has now recorded one of each since this past Sunday, and appears to be back in the high-leverage mix in Minnesota. Jax has been pitching much better since the end of May, not allowing a run over his past 9.2 IP and striking out 12 while walking none over that span. PLV darling (5.47) Jax should be back in play in shallow holds formats and for now, I still prefer him to fellow bullpen mate Brock Stewart (more on him tomorrow).
- It’s great to see Lucas Sims back and thriving in a high-leverage role, and while he hasn’t been his old self exactly, he’s looking better each time out it seems. The 16.2% walk rate is obviously something that is not sustainable, as walks were a big issue in May, but so far in June he has a 7/2 K/BB rate over 6.1 innings while allowing just two hits and is now up to eight holds on the season.
- Gregory Soto hasn’t exactly been pitching great as of late (seven ERs over his last 7.1 IP), but it’s more so the return of José Alvarado that hurts Soto’s value the most. He now has just three holds over the past month, and while the bat-missing ability is great to see (34.8% CSW), the inconsistency makes him tough to roster.
- Joe Mantiply returned from the IL this past week and weirdly threw 48 pitches over three innings in his first game back (allowing four ERs over six hits). I don’t think that’s the type of usage we should expect from the former All-Star moving forward, as he should settle back into a setup or middle relief role in this bullpen.
- It feels like Josh Sborz has been on the brink of breaking out for a few years now, but it looks like perhaps it is finally happening for him. Over his past 9.2 IP, Sborz has allowed just one hit and two walks while striking out 15. It’s led to an increased role in this Texas bullpen, as he has two holds and two wins this month, with hopefully more holds to come. Sborz currently leads all pitchers this year in CSW (39%), and his increased slider usage can be credited as one of the main keys to this breakout.
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