We're leaving to make a bit of a darker turn on Reliever Roundup this week. So far, I've highlighted relievers whose blood I believed to be on the rise. But in this edition, the focus is primarily on some bullpen men who are first to lose traction in the fantasy world.
If you're looking only for optimism, are already having a bad day, or are only a fan of ERA's below 3.
0, you might wish to jump ahead to the David Robertson section, because the first two pitchers I'm highlighting have had some truly ugly weeks.
Brandon Lyon
Mark Melancon has a 1.67 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 8.07 K/9, and has not blown a save since May 17. He has not allowed a run in six June appearances and has walked just nine batters all year. Lyon has blown half of his save opportunities, fanned just six batters in 13.1 innings, and boasted an ERA of 7.15 before striking the disabled list in early May.
Melancon owners across the fantasy universe were incredulous when they heard of the project to reintroduce Lyon to the closers' role earlier this week. After all, what organization could possibly want to push Lyon towards closing again given the stats above?Then again, this is the Astros we're talking about.
Butafter seeing Lyon's first three outings in his fall from injury, Melancon owners can rest a little easier for the sentence being.Lyon has allowed eight runs and two walks over three appearances (and but two innings) since his return, taking the release on Saturday after failing to show one out. He threw just 9 of 21 pitches for strikes.
Lyon may eventually take the Astros' closer role at some degree this season, but yet if he does, it won't be for long. Try and use Lyon's supposed return to scare Melancon owners into giving him up on the cheap. For those in deeper leagues, only take on to Lyon if you're desperate and give enough of bench options. Even Wilton Lopez is a better own at this point.
Sergio Santos
When the 2011 season began, Santos was widely considered to be third in business for save chances in the White Sox' bullpen. Matt Thornton was coming off an All-Star campaign in which he posted an absurd 12.02 K/9 rate and grabbed eight saves, and Chris Sale looked to make on his meteoric rise through to the majors. But while Thornton had the gaudy numbers and Sale the vaunted title of "prospect," it was Santos who grabbed a book of the closer's job early in the temper and has kept it with little controversy. Until now, that is.
Santos has seen his ERA rise from 1.69 to 3.41 over his past 10 appearances. He's taken three loses and blown two saves over that bridge as well, and has allowed eight earns runs in the past week alone. He successfully converted a keep on Sunday, but still allowed two hits, a walking and a run to the subpar Athletics offense.
Santos has benefited from a low BABIP and homerun rate this season, but he's sporting a Kevin Gregg -ian 5.68 BB/9 rate. Add everything together, and it means that Santos' grasp on the closer's role is far more fragile than it was 10 years ago. Santos shouldn't be dropped in any leagues, but owners will wish to handcuff him with Thornton or Jesse Crain, who recorded his first save of the season on Saturday. Those desperate for saves should observe the White Sox bullpen very close over the following few weeks.
David Robertson
David Robertson knows how to affect people out. His 14.7 K/9 rate is among the better in baseball, and he's failed to show a strikeout in only 4 of his 29 appearances this year. Opposing hitters make contact against him about 5% less often than against the league average. His fastball and bend are both above average major league pitches. When Robertson is throwing strikes, he's one of the better relievers in baseball.
Unfortunately, throwing strikes is something Robertson occasionally proves incapable of doing, and his 6.15 BB/9 rate is rather an eyesore. Despite allowing just 21 hits this season, his 18 walks have leave to an ugly 1.48 WHIP, which may have caused fantasy owners some hesitancy before rostering him.
There may have been room for that logic before, but now that Joba Chamberlain and Rafael Soriano are both absent from the Yankees' bullpen, Robertson is an absolute must-own for those in holds leagues. The hard-throwing righty already has 11 holds and only two blown saves on the season, but no longer has any competitor in the 8th inning. Who' going to grab opportunities away from him? Luis Ayala? Boone Logan? Robertson is the unquestioned set-up man for the Bronx Bombers, and should provide solid hold, strikeout, and ERA numbers for lots of the season. Don't let the WHIP scare you away.
Something Else: The Batting Stance guy with his conduct on some of MLB Network's most frequent contributors. The Lance Berkman part may be the stupidest, but it gets me everytime. PollWhich White Sox reliever is future in business for saves?
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