Author: Jake Ciely, Senior Writer
Join AccuScore now using the code SALE50 for $50 off an annual All-Sports premium membership. For all others this is $349, but as you are reading this article, it is only $299... Join Today
and their values for the second half. This week, we cover five Fantasy Baseball closers that could be traded at the deadline. Will their values improve, hold or decrease? That’s what we answer this week in SOBB Your Way to Success.
As always, we use SOBB (breakdown here) as the initial base when projecting a pitcher’s future performance.
Range of starting pitcher SOBBs (K-BB%) and the values they hold.
| SOBB | Rating |
| 20.00-plus | Terrific |
| 16.00-19.99 | Great |
| 13.00-15.99 | Good |
| 11.00-12.99 | Average |
| 8.00-10.99 | Poor |
| under-7.99 | Awful |
Range of relief pitcher SOBBs (K-BB%) and the values they hold.
| SOBB | Rating |
| 25.00-plus | Terrific |
| 20.00-24.99 | Great |
| 16.00-19.99 | Good |
| 12.00-15.99 | Average |
| 8.00-11.99 | Poor |
| under-7.99 | Awful |
Cheers or Tears
David Robertson, CHW – In terms of closers, Robertson has the fifth highest SOBB at 27.8, which ranks 13th for all relievers. This is a great improvement from last season when Robertson had a 16.1 SOBB thanks to a 12.0 BB%. In fact, this year’s mark is in line with his 2014-15 seasons and representative of Robertson’s true ability. Robertson had a SwStr% of 12 percent or better over the past three seasons as well, and it’s jumped to 16.1 this season thanks to MLB hitters being more aggressive. Robertson will have no problems carrying his success no matter where he lands at the trade deadline. As for his replacement, Nate Jones is often mentioned, but his walk rate is quite poor this year at 12.2 percent, dropping his SOBB from 23.7 to 18.4 this season. Jones is still a decent stash on the chance that the White Sox turn to him, but Tommy Kahnle could be the answer, posting a 37.3 SOBB. That mark is only behind Craig Kimbrel and Kenley Jansen, and it shows just how dominant Kahnle can be.
Robertson will remain a top-end Fantasy Baseball closer no matter which team he’s on. Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire
Bud Norris, LAA – The Angels will likely see what they can get for Norris, and while he’s have a terrific season, it would be better for his owners if he stays with the Angels. Norris has a 2.23 ERA and 22.5 SOBB, ranking in the Top 10 for pure closers, which means Cam Bedrosian likely isn’t getting his job back unless Norris is traded or struggles mightily. If you can get Bedrosian for cheap right now and sell Norris high, do either or both now. Bedrosian has a terrific 30.0 SOBB, and it’s tough to see a team acquiring Norris for their closer’s role and not just for setup help.
Raisel Iglesias, CIN – Iglesias is another hot name of late alongside Robertson, and if a team such as the Nationals trades for him, you can rest assured that his success will carry over. Iglesias has a strong 22.2 SOBB and rarely allows home runs, which is quite impressive given his home park. Iglesias gets a high percent of swinging strikes and ahead of most batters, and both of those facts help offset his low BABIP and mediocre walk rate. The good news on Iglesias’ BABIP (.228) is that he allows a very low Hard% at 22.3, so it’s not all luck. Iglesias might not keep his ERA under two, but even a mid-2.00 ERA with the quality strikeouts keeps Iglesias as a CL1.
Addison Reed, NYM – With the Mets season is disarray, the team is headed towards a selloff, and Reed is one of the more valuable trade chips. Reed is not only the closer for the Mets this year, but he has experience going back to his White Sox days and is having another great season. He also has a 2.53 ERA and trimmed his walk rate to a career low, helping support his 22.0 SOBB. While Reed wasn’t sharp to start the year, but once he settled in at the start of May, Reed has a 1.82 ERA, allowing runs in just five outings. Reed isn’t elite, but he’s on the next tier of highly-trusted relievers with great ratios and strong strikeout numbers. As with Robertson and Iglesias, don’t be worried about his landing spot. As for the next man up for the Mets, you can expect a closer by committee situation with no clear option as the go-to choice.
Jim Johnson, ATL – The Braves are in a weird situation. They’re under .500, but thanks to the Mets and Cubs struggles – more so the Mets – the Braves find themselves as a long shot for the playoffs… but it’s a shot. The Braves are looking toward the future, but they might not go into full sell mode. That leaves Johnson with Fantasy uncertainty. His ERA isn’t great, but Johnson has been a tad unlucky too with a high BABIP and low strand rate. That’s why his xFIP is down at 3.04, and it helps Johnson to have a solid 21.5 SOBB. As with Bud Norris though, you should look to sell him while you can. Again like Norris, Johnson will likely land in a setup role if traded, and Arodys Vizcaino had two saves before hitting the DL over a 10-day span. Vizcaino also has a 2.38 ERA, 19.3 SOBB and is seen as the closer of the future. Even if Johnson goes nowhere, there is a chance Vizcaino could grab the job once healthy.
Streaming Pitchers to Target Next Week (Last 30 Days Stats)
With the All-Star Break, rotations aren’t confirmed, but target these offenses.
Padres: 18.8 SOBB, 27.7 K%, 93 wRC+
Rangers: 18.3 SOBB, 27.3 K%, 101 wRC+
Orioles: 17.8 SOBB, 24.2 K%, 88 wRC+
Athletics: 17.7 SOBB, 27.4 K%, 100 wRC+
Phillies: 16.7 SOBB, 24.2 K%, 70 wRC+
Ready for Fantasy Football? Not without my rankings and advice. Get the Fantasy Football Xclusive Edge Package at 20% OFF with code JAKEYJAKEY!
Listen to the only FREE 24/7 Fantasy Sports Radio channel on the go! Get the FNTSY Sports Radio Network app now in the iTunes store or on Google Play. Listen to Fantasy Football Frenzy, the RotoExperts in the Morning, Fantasy Best Friends Forever and the award-winning On Target. Plus a whole lot more from all of your Fantasy favorites for FREE!
