Let’s take a look at the top 2015 fantasy relievers.
Dellin Betances – New York Yankees
This is an undeniable gamble on a failed starter that looks to have found his calling as a bullpen ace. Few pitchers in the game have the deadly combination of a slider and fastball that is possessed by Betances. Last year in his first year in the bullpen, Betances had a 0.78 WHIP and 1.40 ERA with 135 strikeouts in 90 innings of work. Can Betances repeat such dominance this year? We offer a resounding yes.
Aroldis Chapman – Cincinnati Reds
Arguably the most exciting and interesting reliever in the game due to his pure raw power, Chapman is also a proven commodity on the hill with no less than 36 saves in his last three seasons. Chapman had his best WHIP last year at 0.83 with 106 strikeouts in 54 innings of work. Chapman is bold, fearless, and powerful but also more expensive than other possibilities.
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Mark Melancon – Pittsburgh Pirates
After a terrible start to the season after an oblique injury, Melancon finished strong with 23 saves in is final 24 opportunities. Melancon finished with a career best WHIP at 0.87 and his second best ERA at 1.90. Melancon may not be as exciting as Chapman but will certainly offer better value.
Greg Holland – Kansas City Royals
Holland was a major reason for the Royals success as American League champions with a combined 53 saves for regular and post season. Holland was at his best in the post season with a 0.82WHIP and 0.82 ERA. Holland has a career mark of 381 strikeouts in 275 innings of work. The fact that the Royals had what was considered a rather lackluster offseason makes Holland a potentially better value than what might be expected.
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Craig Kimbrel – Atlanta Braves
As a relief pitcher Kimbrel is as good as any but the problem is that he will toil for one of the worst teams in the game. Atlanta is so bad that one must worry about the amount of closing opportunities that Kimbrel will end up with. Not only did the already run-challenged Braves lose top sluggers Justin Upton and Jason Heyward, they also lost Kimbrel’s top two setup men in Jordan Walden and David Carpenter. Still, Kimbrel brings a level of excellence that is hard to ignore with 476 strikeouts in 289 innings pitched with a career WHIP of 0.90. Perhaps the perception of Atlanta will enhance Kimbrel’s value.
