5 years agoTampa Bay reliever Nick Anderson entered his first MLB season inconspicuously as a middle reliever for the Marlins. He soon turned some heads with his phenomenal strikeout rate that ultimately ranked second among all pitchers at 41.7%, behind only Josh Hader. He was never in the mix for saves, however, and that didn't change with a midseason trade to the Rays. Anderson's ratios don't jump off the page either, as he finished his rookie year with a 3.32 ERA and 1.08 WHIP. At first glance, he may seem like a one-trick pony but there could be more value than meets the eye. Anderson actually fared better in the second half with Tampa despite a move to the AL East. In his last 21 1/3 innings, he posted a 2.11 ERA and 0.66 WHIP with 41 K and just two BB. All told, his 2019 Statcast numbers support the fact that he was a dominant reliever. His .197 xBA ranked in the 93rd percentile and his .259 xwOBA ranked in the 94th percentile. His elite velocity and control make him an ideal candidate to close games. Anderson just might get his shot now that flamethrower Emilio Pagan has been traded to San Diego. The Rays are fluid with their roles, but Anderson is still a valuable RP in 5x5 roto leagues because of his strikeout ability and is an ideal target in leagues that count Holds. With a clear path to a closer role, Anderson is a great option that should be available toward the back-end of your draft, around pick 240.--Pierre Camus