Fantasy Baseball 2019: 5 Relievers to Stash for Saves

If you are looking for saves, here are the back-up relievers worth stashing on your fantasy baseball team for save opportunities.

The closer pool for Fantasy Baseball owners is very shallow. There are about 15 true closers in the league with the 15 teams using the committee approach for their bullpen. This leaves very few saves available for owners to earn. It’s important to get ahead of the curve when adding relief pitchers.

So, who are those Fantasy Baseball relief pitchers that you should add before it’s too late? I got them coming up. There are a few relievers that are worth adding even if they don’t earn saves. High-usage relievers like those on the Mariners, Rays or Diamondbacks. They provide low ratios with strikeouts and even a win every so often.

This list will feature five relief pitchers that have performed well and could get you a few saves down the line. Whether it’s from injury or poor outings, managers are quick to switch up their closer. Here are the five you want to either add or at least watch should their usage changes to the ninth inning.

Diego Castillo, TB

The Rays started with Jose Alvarado as their closer. He recorded four saves in 13.0 innings this season. Though, he’s struggled recently, seeing his ERA going from 0.00 to 1.38 in 3.2 innings.

More from FanSided

While Castillo has a 2.35 ERA and 1.109 WHIP, he has an 18:5 K:BB ratio. Castillo has recorded two holds and a save in his last three appearances. The Rays are looking good, so they will have plenty of save opportunities. Castillo will be in the mix.

Shawn Kelley, TEX

The entire Rangers bullpen has been struggling this season. They collectively have a 5.11 ERA, 25th in the league. There is one relief pitcher has been keeping the ratio lower than what it could be, and that’s Kelley.

He has a 1.50 ERA, 0.750 WHIP, one save, 11 strikeouts and zero walks in 12.0 innings. Jose Leclerc has a 12.46 ERA (six earned runs) in 4.1 innings. If Leclerc doesn’t turn things around, Kelley will likely take over ninth-inning duties.

Roenis Elias, SEA

The loss of Hunter Strickland created a shift in the Mariners bullpen. Anthony Swarzak took over the job and recorded two saves in the first week of the season. Since then, though, he posted a 4.05 ERA with four home runs allowed.

Elias has four saves, one hold and two wins this season. There are those sneaky wins I was talking about. He has a pair of two-run outings but his 14:6 K:BB ratio and 1.080 WHIP are good enough to have a roster spot. The Mariners, like the Rays, can score runs to give their team the lead late in games.

Kyle Barraclough, WSH

The Nationals don’t need to make a move in their bullpen. Sean Doolittle has a 1.35 ERA with three saves. Barraclough, however, has a 1.64 ERA and a 1.545 WHIP. The number of walks has been troublesome, seven in 11.0 innings.

With the Nationals offense not putting up many runs, the games will be close enough for saves. Barraclough has been used a lot over the last week, seen appearances since April 17. Though, he has just 5.0 innings. If you need holds, he’s a good target. Should Doolittle get hurt, Barraclough is the next man up.

Luke Jackson, ATL

The Braves lost their closer in Arodys Vizcaino for the season with a shoulder injury. A.J. Minter was everyone’s favorite to take over the role. He has three saves but also a 9.35 ERA, six walks and a 0-3 record.

Jackson has been on a roll to start the season. After allowing four runs in his first appearance, he has a 0.00 ERA, 15 strikeouts, four walks and nine hits in 13.0 innings. Jackson recorded a save on April 28, his first in what could be many more this season.

If a move were to be made, Jackson is the leading candidate to take over the closer role.

Next. Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups. dark

Finding a 35-save reliever on the waiver wire is not likely. If you can add a couple of these relievers, you may find yourself with another 20 saves. Those can be crucial at the end of the season in both head-to-head or roto leagues.

Home/Fantasy Baseball