Who Is The Pirates' Closer? Fantasy Baseball Saves Outlooks

David Bednar had an absolutely stellar 2023. Despite the Pirates winning only 76 games, Bednar logged 39 saves backed by a solid 2.53 FIP and 28.9% K%. Bednar was the clear favorite coming into 2024, arguably a top-five closer given the dwindling "traditional" closer roles across the MLB. With a back (latissimus) injury popping up during Spring Training, concern arose that Bednar might start the season on the IL for an indeterminate amount of time.

None of the Pirates' bullpen arms from 2023 logged more than two saves other than Bednar. However, the addition of Aroldis Chapman provided a new candidate to possibly vulture saves and challenge Bednar's role, especially if Chapman performed well during a stint on the IL for Bednar. Luckily, things have cleared up a bit in the last week.

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Bednar or Bust

The only concern coming into 2024 regarding Bednar's role as the closer was his injury. Although Chapman is one of those names that always instills a little fear in fantasy managers who own the existing closer, his performance in the last few years has dwindled significantly. He is unlikely to challenge Bednar without an injury window opening for him. Names like Roansy Contreras, Ryan Borucki, Josh Fleming, and Hunter Stratton do little to challenge Bednar when healthy.

Bednar leads with a strong four-seam fastball, averaging 97 mph with a 30.3% Whiff% in 2023. He threw that pitch 58.0% of the time in 2023, supplementing it mainly with a 78 mph curveball that carried a beautiful 40.5% Whiff% in 2023. He has a strong one-two punch. He has shown that translates to effective closing ability. The only question is health.

Those who drafted Bednar can exhale a sigh of relief at this point. Despite not pitching in the first two games of 2024, Bednar has now logged an inning in each of the last two outings against Miami. Although he did allow a game-tying home run the other night, pitching in back-to-back games calms a lot of those nerves about injury or limited availability.

Verdict

David Bednar is the guy to own in the Pirates' bullpen for saves. His stellar 2023, strong one-two pitching repertoire, and clear opportunity to be a "traditional" closer without a committee, inspire confidence. He answered the lingering question of injury with back-to-back outings, and he will round into form in the coming weeks. Bednar projects as a top-10 closer for 2024 so long as he stays healthy, and carries top-five upside given so many committees elsewhere in the MLB.

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