Rangers Alex Claudio: Sidearm specialist offer fantasy gold?

Alex Claudio is not the prototypical closer that fantasy owners sought after. But, could the sidearming Rangers’ lefty serve as a great fantasy value in 2018?

In fantasy baseball, relievers often stir up the most debates among owners.  Should they be targeted in the mid-rounds? Should they be left to the last rounds? Are they worth the price tag? No matter where fantasy owners sit on the debate, the fact remains that successful owners uncover RP gems during the season. Could the Rangers’, Alex Claudio, be one for 2018?

Alex Claudio may be the farthest model of RP that fantasy owners imagine when they think of the modern-day closer. He was a 27th round pick by the Rangers in 2010 as an 18-year-old out of Puerto Rico. Claudio was never tried as a starter, yet made a name for himself in the minors thanks to a stellar 2.08 ERA.

He debuted for the Rangers in 2014, has slowly appeared in more games over the last four years, and the results have followed suit. He ended 2017, with a 2.50 ERA/1.04 WHIP/56 K line over a team-high 70 appearances. He only surrendered 71 hits and 23 ERA last season as well, highlighting him as one of the few RP in the Rangers’ bullpen that could be trusted.

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Watching Claudio pitch is an art form. The sidearmer has a unique delivery and release point that makes him one of the toughest at-bats in the game. The best part about it though, is that Claudio’s fastball does not even top out at 90 mph.

He sits in the mid-80s, as he features a sinker/changeup/slider mix that has proven to be a formidable arsenal. His arsenal may seem underwhelming on paper, but he was among the best in the league with a 41% Chase rate. He also threw first pitch strikes 69% of the time as well.

He pounds the zone, and gets batters to chase, making it no surprise that he limits hard contact against him. Batters could only muster a 17% LD rate versus him, all the while Claudio forced a 67% GB rate, and miniscule 17% FB rate.

There is a ton to like his in his profile, and he passes the eye test when it comes to how tough he is each at-bat. He was able to notch 11 SV in 2017, and was 10 for 12 in SV chances. Out of all the options in the Rangers’ current bullpen, he is clear option to be handed closing duties.

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The Rangers needed someone to step up late in games last season, and Claudio stepped up. They will need him once again, and even if he will not flirt with 100 K, there has to be something said for a RP that will get SV chances and routinely limits damage. Worst case scenario, the Rangers’ value him as a key late inning matchup guy and he becomes a premier HLD producer.

Either way, fantasy owners should make Claudio one the key late round RP targets this month.