Kyle Finnegan 2024 Fantasy Baseball Outlook: On The Closer Hot Seat For The Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals reliever Kyle Finnegan should return to the closer job in Washington but could be on a short leash this season. The 32-year-old righty posted seven wins, 28 saves, a 3.76 ERA and 1.30 WHIP. Finnegan's repertoire features a four-seam fastball that he throws a whopping 70% of the time and a splitter. The fastball is in the 93rd percentile for velocity at a 97.3 MPH average. His xERA was a full run higher in 2023 at 4.73, and his 92.2 MPH average exit velocity was in the bottom 1% of MLB. Finnegan has a low 21.9K%. Hunter Harvey is the better pitcher for the Washington Nationals, but Finnegan has the experience. One interesting development is that he is throwing a sweeper this spring. The ATC projections show 19 saves for Finnegan with an ERA of 4.06. He has a 236 NFBC ADP, which seems a steep price for a mediocre closer who could quickly lose the job.
Kyle Finnegan Records 11th Save Of The Season
Kyle Finnegan sat down the Reds in order during the ninth inning of Sunday's 4-1 victory, striking out two on the way to earning his 11th save of the season. After racking up 38 saves last season for the Nats, the righty is well on his way to that number again this year, while also helping fantasy managers' ratios with a 2.63 ERA and 15 strikeouts in 13 2/3 IP. If he can clean up the walks, the 33-year-old could also have a solid WHIP, but for now it stands at 1.39. On a team with the second-highest bullpen ERA, Finnegan has been a bright spot and has no competition for saves at the moment, so fantasy managers are getting a great return on investment from the 6-foot-2 hurler.
Source: ESPN
Washington Nationals closer Source: ESPN
Kyle Finnegan Earns 10th Save
Kyle Finnegan bounced back nicely on Thursday after blowing a save earlier in the week. On Thursday, Finnegan took the mound with a two-run lead against the Philadelphia Phillies in the ninth inning. He retired the first two batters before giving up a two-out triple to Johan Rojas. He was able to work around the damage and earn his 10th save of the season. He holds a 2.92 ERA, 1.54 WHIP, and 13/7 K/BB ratio over 12 2/3 innings this season. Finnegan is worth rostering in most fantasy formats where saves matter.
Source: mlb.com
Washington Nationals relief pitcher Source: mlb.com
Kyle Finnegan Picks Up Save Over Dodgers On Monday
Kyle Finnegan pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings to preserve a 6-4 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday. Finnegan struck out two while allowing one walk and two hits to earn his fourth save in as many chances this season. The veteran has been a consistent force at the back of the Washington bullpen in the early going, allowing just one run through 5 2/3 innings of work while striking out five. He appears to have a firm grip on the closer role in Washington, although it remains to be seen just how many save chances the Nationals afford him this season.
Source: MLB.com
Washington Nationals right-hander Source: MLB.com
Nationals Re-Sign Kyle Finnegan To One-Year Deal
Kyle Finnegan to a one-year, $6 million deal on Tuesday, sources told ESPN's Jesse Rogers. The All-Star closer will return to D.C. after the Nationals non-tendered him late last year. The 33-year-old had a 3.68 ERA (4.25 FIP), 1.33 WHIP, a career-high 38 saves, 60 strikeouts and 24 walks in 63 2/3 relief innings for Washington in 2024 and should now be considered the favorite for closing duties again in 2025. Other than the 33-year-old, the Nationals' best options for high-leverage innings late in games are Jorge Lopez and Jose A. Ferrer, which makes sense why the Nationals chose to bring Finnegan back to pitch the ninth. Finnegan also had 28 saves in 2023, but his elevated hard-hit rate last year could be a sign of trouble to come. Even though the Nats don't have other great closing options, Finnegan could be on a short leash.
Source: ESPN Chicago - Jesse Rogers
The Washington Nationals are re-signing right-handed reliever Source: ESPN Chicago - Jesse Rogers
Read More News