Is Diamondbacks Fernando Rodney the most unloved player in fantasy baseball?

Veteran closer Fernando Rodney has been an essential part of the Diamondbacks success this season, but he is underappreciated within fantasy baseball circles.

In the six years since 2012, only three players have racked up at least 200 saves; Kenley Jansen, Craig Kimbrel and Fernando Rodney.

Despite the proven track record, Rodney was so unpopular at the start of the year that he was the 34th relief pitcher taken in drafts this season. Even closers with the most tenuous grip on their ninth-inning job were taken ahead of the player who will shortly secure his 300th career save.

After an impressive stretch with 17 saves and a 0.31 ERA for the Padres at the start of 2016, he imploded after moving to Miami with a 5.89 ERA and walk rate above 6.00 BB/9.

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The 2017 pre-season lack of faith in Rodney looked justified when the journeyman closer endured a horrendous start to his Diamondbacks career, allowing 14 earned runs (12.60 ERA) by the end of April.

And this is when the fantasy baseball world switched off.

Over the next two months, the 40-year-old fired 15 invisible arrows into the sky without allowing an earned run in May or June.

Since the All-Star break, Rodney has been nothing short of sensational and yet is still available in 33% of ESPN leagues.

In the second half of the season, the Dominican has converted all 12 of his save opportunities with a 2.12 ERA and a strikeout rate of 11.12 SO/9. Only Sean Doolittle has closed more games since the break without blowing a save.

In 17 innings over these 18 appearances, Rodney has a 0.88 WHIP with 21 strikeouts and has allowed just four earned runs.

The key has been the return of Rodney’s changeup which generates a huge number of swings and misses (21.6% swinging strike rate), which compares favorably to the best years of his career.

Rodney has too many blemishes in his past to ever be a beloved closer, but there is no question that the veteran is enjoying an impressive stretch to reward owners who had faith in him.

Next: A closer look at the Phillies' top prospect

The closer role is one of the most volatile in baseball, but Rodney has a firm grip on the job in Arizona for the rest of the season. Next in line is the impressive Archie Bradley, but the high-flying Diamondbacks will be unlikely to destabilize their bullpen as they close in on the playoffs.