Cardinals: Do not forget about Alex Reyes in 2018

Alex Reyes was one of the first casualties of the injury bug in 2017. Now over a year removed from the injury, should fantasy owners still have the Cardinals’ youngster as a draft day target?

Heading into 2017, Alex Reyes was one of the more promising young arms in MLB and for fantasy owners to target in drafts. Unfortunately, we never got to see his first full season as a Cardinals’ rookie, as he tore a ligament in his elbow in Feb., requiring TJ surgery.

He would miss the whole season, but heading into next season, he will be more than a year removed from the surgery. As of late-Sep., he was already throwing his first bullpen session, putting him in line to return at the beginning of 2018.

Tj surgery was once a death sentence for pitchers, and it will remain to be see if Reyes can maintain his elite velocity, but the track record of most other victims is that it will come back. Command-wise, Reyes had struggled even before surgery, so that will be the major area of focus this spring. He has elite swing and miss stuff, and if the command can be reigned in some, look out.

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While there are certainly caveats to his return, the potential product is outstanding. The fastball flirts with 100 mph, he has a nasty curveball, and his changeup was already making strides when he debuted in 2016.

WIth Lance Lynn a free agent and more questions than answers in St. Louis’ rotation, Reyes has a great opportunity to solidify a spot on the staff.

Reyes has even been mentioned as a possible headliner for a Giancarlo Stanton deal.

There is also the interesting element of Reyes being great out of the bullpen as well. The Cardinals’ has lacked a lockdown arm for some time, but Reyes has the repertoire to succeed if allowed to be the closer his initial year back.

Clearly, for fantasy owners the value is there either way, making him one of the more intriguing bounce-back picks this season. Most owners will be scared off due to the injury, and his relative inexperience, but the astute owners will continue to monitor his progress.

Next: Fantasy Baseball 2018: Dansby Swanson or Ahmed Rosario

Do not sleep on Alex Reyes heading into 2018.