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Felix Bautista 2025 Fantasy Baseball Outlook: Elite Closer Has Potential To Be The Number One RP
5 mins agoFelix Bautista missed the entire 2024 season after undergoing Tommy John Surgery (TJS) in October 2023. Further elbow surgeries in February 2024 raised concerns that Bautista may struggle to return to the mound. However, the Orioles expect Bautista to be fine for Spring Training which would allow the 2023 All-Star to re-establish himself as one of baseball's best relievers. Bautista had 33 saves in 2023, with a minuscule 1.48 ERA. Bautista's 46.4% K% that season was the best of any pitcher with at least 10.0 IP. For some pitchers, control can be an issue after returning from TJS. And given Bautista had an 11.0% BB% in 2023, his control was already an issue. Bautista still managed to put up elite numbers despite that. The Orioles are expected to win plenty of games in 2025 so save opportunities should be plentiful for Bautista. Providing he can get through Spring unscathed, Bautista should establish himself as the best reliever in the Orioles bullpen. And if he does regain the closer role as anticipated, Bautista has the potential to establish himself as the best closer in fantasy baseball.
