X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Mid-Round Closers and Relievers - Fantasy Baseball Draft Values And Targets

Ryan Helsley - Fantasy Baseball Rankings, Closers and Saves Sleepers, MLB Injury News

Analysis of five fantasy baseball closers and relief pitchers to draft in the middle rounds. Potential 2023 fantasy baseball sleepers and undervalued RP to target in drafts.

Welcome officially to the 2023 fantasy baseball season! Spring training is in full force, and fantasy managers are gearing up for another exciting season in the MLB. Once you reach the middle rounds of drafts, everyone is looking to draft players that can provide a great return on value. You can start taking calculated risks on emerging prospects, overlooked veterans, players returning from injury, or even players with some playing time concerns out of the gate. The early rounds are critical, and the late rounds are where you can take your chances on dart-throw sleepers, but the middle rounds can make or break your roster.

Today, we're looking at some middle-round relief pitchers for you to consider drafting in your season-long leagues this season. Are their ADPs undervalued? Will they make significant fantasy contributions and become a priority mid-round draft target? Read on to see our take.

Our editors have hand-picked these specific MLB players for your draft prep enjoyment. Usually only available to Premium subscribers, the five outlooks below are meant to give you a taste of the in-depth analysis you receive with our industry-leading 2023 Draft Kit. Be sure to subscribe today to start reading all of our in-depth 2023 player outlooks and many other premium articles and tools including Team Sync, the Live Draft Sync assistant, Custom Rankings Service, and so much more -- available exclusively in our 2023 Draft Kit.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and resources:

 

Clay Holmes, New York Yankees

New York Yankees relief pitcher Clay Holmes began last season as a man possessed as he allowed only one earned run through his first 30 appearances, picking up 11 saves in that span. Through June, Holmes had a WHIP under 0.90, a batting average against under .180, and logged over a strikeout-per-inning as the Yankee closer earned an All-Star game appearance. The wheels fell off in the second half, however, as Holmes pitched to a ghastly 4.31 ERA after the break and was removed from the closer role.

The inherent small sample size with relievers always leads to some risk of poor stretches, but his elite skill-based metrics insist Holmes is closer to the pitcher he was at the start of last season. Holmes finished in the 90th percentile or better in xBA, xwOBA, and xSLG, and barrel avoidance. His 42.6% whiff rate on his slider is elite as his sinker/slider mix remains the ideal profile for a high-leverage reliever. Holmes should enter Spring Training as the favorite for saves in New York and offers RP1 upside for a suppressed average draft position in the 160 overall range.

-- Mike Schwarzenbach - RotoBaller

 

Ryan Helsley, St. Louis Cardinals

Ryan Helsley emerged as a bullpen asset for the Cardinals in late 2021, and last season, he became one of the premier relievers in baseball. This year, he could very well end up being a top-three closer in fantasy. Helsley began the year sharing the ninth inning with Giovanny Gallegos but impressed to the point he gained the sole role, finishing the year with a 9-1 W-L record, 1.25 ERA, 0.74 WHIP, 94 Ks, and 19 saves (64.2 IP).

Helsley's 93.4% LOB% won't sustain into 2023 but his 2.04 xERA, 2.60 xFIP, and 2.02 SIERA all suggest his ERA could be around 2.00 even if that regresses. His 39.3% K% (which ranked in the 99th percentile) will also help to mitigate baserunners he allows.

Helsley's 99.6 mph average fastball velocity ranked fifth among all pitchers and was in the 99th percentile for the spin rate, which helps explain why it had a measly .212 wOBA and .233 SLG against it.

If he can maintain last year's levels, even with some LOB% regression towards the norm, Helsley should have no problems topping 30 saves and could end the season as a top-five reliever in fantasy, outperforming his ADP of ~73 (10th among relief pitchers).

-- Jamie Steed - RotoBaller

 

Felix Bautista, Baltimore Orioles

Serving as the closer for the Baltimore Orioles, Felix Bautista has emerged as one of the most feared bullpen arms in the game. Signed out of the Dominican Republic, Bautista was finally promoted after seven service years in the minors. In 2022, the 27-year-old twirled a 2.19 ERA while striking out 88 batters.

He obtained 15 saves as well as 13 holds. His average fastball clocked in at 99.2 mph, which mixes well with a deceptive split-finger. Steamer projects Bautista to retain a 3.14 ERA across 29 saves.

After just one fruitful season, Steamer already endorses Bautista as a force to be reckoned with. The Dominican native will be pretty valuable in leagues that account for saves and holds, and let's see if we can improve his 70.13 ADP.

-- Raphael Negnewitzky - RotoBaller

 

Kenley Jansen, Boston Red Sox

Kenley Jansen has consistently pitched on division-winning teams throughout his major league career after 12 seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers and a one-season stay with the NL East-champion Atlanta Braves in 2022.

As a result, his 329 saves since 2014 are not only the most in baseball during that time but 74 clear of second-place Craig Kimbrel. After signing a two-year, $32 million contract with the Boston Red Sox in free agency this winter, his saves outlook doesn't appear so rosy.

He's remained a productive pitcher into his mid-30s, leading baseball with 90 saves while working to a 2.86 ERA and 31.9% K% across 157.1 innings over the last three seasons, the latter of which ranks sixth among MLB relievers over that stretch. He now goes from the 101-61 Braves to the 78-84 Red Sox, who finished in the basement of their division last season.

According to Steamer, he still owns a 78 ADP, but his saves are projected to drop from 41 last season to just 26 this time around. He's our 18th-ranked reliever and 125th overall ranked player heading towards the 2023 season, making his current ADP appear overvalued in the process.

-- Brenton Kemp - RotoBaller

 

Camilo Doval, San Francisco Giants

Camilo Doval was on his way to having a solid 2022 as the Giants' closer with a first-half line of 39.2 IP, 3-5 W-L record, 2.95 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 12 saves, and 49 Ks. Then in July, Doval unleashed a sinker, a pitch he had never thrown before. Not only did he throw the sinker, but he also threw it more than any other pitch with a 57% usage over the remainder of the season.

Doval's second-half line was even better with a 3-1 W-L record, 1.93 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 15 saves, and 31 Ks (28.0 IP). The sinker led to Doval's groundball rate (GB%) jumping from 48.5% in the first half to 67.6% in the second half. What you will also have noticed is the drop in strikeouts, from 29.0% K% in the first half to 26.5% K% in the second half.

Doval's one flaw is too many walks, as his 10.5% BB% was the fifth-highest among the 17 pitchers with at least 20 saves. The free passes won't hurt Doval providing he can maintain that high GB% and decent K%, although not allowing a home run in the second half won't sustain him throughout 2023.

He's got all the pieces to put together a very productive season and outperform his ADP of ~77 (number 12 relief pitcher).

-- Jamie Steed - RotoBaller



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy baseball app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, sleepers, prospects & more. All free!



More Fantasy Baseball Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Griffin Conine

To Have Shoulder Surgery On Tuesday
Luke Keaschall

Twins Prospect Luke Keaschall Suffers Broken Forearm
Logan Gilbert

Leaves Friday's Start With Forearm Tightness

Vikings Select Tai Felton To Finish Day 2

Seahawks Select Quarterback Jalen Milroe With The 92nd Pick Overall

Browns Select Dillon Gabriel 94th Overall

Packers Pick Savion Williams At No. 87 overall

Steelers Snag Kaleb Johnson In Round 3

Broncos Select Wide Receiver Pat Bryant With The 74th Overall Pick

Texans Select Jaylin Noel With 79th Pick

Lions Select Wide Receiver Isaac TeSlaa With The 70th Overall Pick
Jack Leiter

To Start On Sunday

Patriots Add Wide Receiver Kyle Williams In Round 3

Browns Draft Harold Fannin Jr. With 67th Pick
Garrett Mitchell

Makes Early Exit
Luke Keaschall

Removed Early On Friday
Blake Snell

Likely Avoids Major Injury
Cole Ragans

Dealing With Mild Groin Strain

Broncos Add RJ Harvey To Backfield With 60th Pick

Raiders Select Jack Bech With 58th Pick

Chargers Add Wide Receiver Tre Harris In Round 2
Detroit Lions

Lions Acquire 57th Pick From Broncos

Seahawks Draft Elijah Arroyo 50th Overall
Carolina Panthers

Panthers Acquire 51st Pick From Broncos
Arizona Cardinals

Cardinals Snag Will Johnson At No. 47

Jets Add A Pass-Catcher With Mason Taylor At No. 42

Rams Select Terrance Ferguson With 46th Pick
Houston Texans

Texans Acquire 48th Pick From Raiders, Draft Aireontae Ersery

Saints Snag Tyler Shough At No. 40
Brenton Doyle

Out For Personal Reasons On Friday
Brandin Podziemski

Not On Injury Report For Game 3
Jimmy Butler III

Warriors Optimistic About Jimmy Butler III Playing Saturday
Jae'Sean Tate

To Remain Out Saturday
Jock Landale

Unavailable For Game 3
Terry Rozier

Out On Saturday
Jrue Holiday

Ruled Out For Friday Night's Game 3 Against Orlando
Kevin Love

To Miss Saturday's Game
Jaylen Brown

Available For Friday Night's Game 3 Against Magic
Gary Payton II

Iffy For Saturday's Action
Jayson Tatum

Officially Available On Friday For Game 3 Against Magic
Will Smith

Back From Injury On Friday
Luke Kennard

Questionable For Game 4 On Saturday
Darius Garland

Listed As Questionable For Game 3
Ja Morant

To Miss Game 4 On Saturday
Rui Hachimura

Available For Game 3 In Minnesota
Aaron Ekblad

Available To Return Saturday
Erik Swanson

Ryan Burr Progressing
Daulton Varsho

To Return On Tuesday At The Latest
Max Scherzer

Takes Positive Step On Friday
Aleksander Barkov

Questionable For Saturday
Gabriel Landeskog

Set For Larger Role In Game 4
Calvin Pickard

To Start Game 3 For Oilers
Randy Arozarena

Resting For First Time This Year
Jonas Siegenthaler

To Play Limited Minutes In Game 3
MLB

Red Sox-Guardians Game Postponed On Friday
Luke Hughes

Remains Out On Friday
MLB

Tigers-Orioles Postponed On Friday
Patrik Laine

A Game-Time Decision Friday
Yainer Diaz

Out On Friday Against Royals
Iván Herrera

Ivan Herrera Hopes To Start Rehab Assignment Next Week
Salvador Perez

Sitting Out For First Time This Season
Jaylen Brown

Questionable For Game 3 On Friday
Brendan Donovan

Back In Action On Friday
Jimmy Butler III

Could Miss Game 3 On Saturday
Coby Mayo

Getting On A Roll At Triple-A
Carlos Prates

Looks To Remain Undefeated In The UFC
Ian Machado Garry

Set For UFC Kansas City Main Event
Cade Cunningham

Collects Double-Double In Loss
Jalen Brunson

Drops 30 Points In Game 3
Karl-Anthony Towns

Leads All Scorers In Game 3 Victory
Zhang Mingyang

Scheduled For Co-Main Event
Anthony Smith

Set For His Final UFC Bout
David Onama

Set For Featherweight Bout
Giga Chikadze

Looks To Bounce Back
Abus Magomedov

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
Michel Pereira

Returns To Action At UFC Kansas City
Nicolas Dalby

An Underdog At UFC Kansas City
Randy Brown

A Favorite At UFC Kansas City
Andre Muniz

Set To Open Up UFC Kansas City Main Card
Ikram Aliskerov

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Sergei Bobrovsky

Shuts Out Lightning In Game 2
Cam Fowler

Finishes Thursday's Win With Five Points
Robert Thomas

Posts Four Assists In Game 3 Win
Pavel Buchnevich

Celebrates Hat Trick During Four-Point Performance
Dylan DeMelo

Battling An Illness
Marcus Johansson

Exits Early Thursday
Aleksander Barkov

Hurt In Game 2
Jrue Holiday

Tagged As Questionable For Friday
Jayson Tatum

Likely Out Again On Friday
Anthony Cirelli

Good To Go Thursday
Andrei Vasilevskiy

Looks To Bounce Back In Game 2
Rasmus Ristolainen

To Miss Training Camp
Jonas Siegenthaler

Returns To Practice
Aliaksei Protas

Traveling With Capitals
Gabriel Vilardi

Still Out On Thursday
Max Pacioretty

Set To Join Maple Leafs Lineup For Game 3
Cam Davis

Looking For Better Fortunes At TPC Louisiana
Adam Svensson

Making Third Apperence At Zurich Classic
Max Greyserman

Aiming For Similar Success At TPC Louisiana
Lee Hodges

A High-Upside Player In New Orleans
PGA

Nico Echavarria Looks To Ride Off Of Elite Putting In New Orleans
Gary Woodland

A Player Worth Watching In New Orleans
Max McGreevy

Returns To The Zurich Classic Of New Orleans
Rasmus Hojgaard

In Search Of Consistency Ahead Of Zurich Classic
Sam Stevens

A Boom-Or-Bust Candidate In New Orleans
Nicolai Hojgaard

Looking To Turn Season Around At Zurich Classic
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

Looks To Sway A Hot Putter In Teams Favor At Zurich Classic
Akshay Bhatia

Looking To Bounce Back At TPC Louisiana
Carson Young

Looks To Turn Things Around At TPC Louisiana
Erik Van Rooyen

Looking For Momentum In Louisiana
Andrew Novak

Making Start At TPC Louisiana After Near Miss At Harbour Town
Ben Griffin

Making Third Career Start At Zurich Classic
Taylor Moore

Competing With A New Teammate In New Orleans
Wyndham Clark

Making Return To New Orleans
Kurt Kitayama

Teeing It Up Again In New Orleans
Collin Morikawa

Back At Zurich Classic For Fifth Time
Thomas Detry

Making Third Appearance At New Orleans Team Event
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF