Relief pitching is going to be a fantasy baseball nightmare this season with all kinds of unique strategies employed by managers because of the shortened season. Perhaps we will see Josh Hader stretched out into 50 innings as an opener or the plug pulled on Edwin Diaz much sooner than would typically happen. The point is that you shouldn’t waste draft capital early on the position since there will be so much volatility. It is quite possible that waiver wire additions like Ryan Helsley, Austin Adams and Hunter Harvey all finish top 5 in saves. Before we get to my full relief pitcher rankings, let me tell you about my two favorite targets at the position.
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Nick Anderson (TB): 12th Round Target
Although he didn’t have the saves of other elite relief pitchers, Anderson was every bit as good, striking out 110 in just 65 innings to go with sparkling ratios. This is much like Josh Hader, Brad Hand and Liam Hendricks before they became closers and if the Rays do name Anderson their closer, he has a chance to finish #1 at the position this season.
Keone Kela (PIT): 16th Round Target
There are plenty of closing battles going on right now but Kela has no competition whatsoever in Pittsburgh. He is the guy through and through so you can bank on 15 save opportunities in the shortened season. Not only that, but while he has been healthy, Kela consistently has some of the best ratios and K-rates in baseball.
Other Rankings: C | 1B | 2B | 3B | SS | OF | SP
ADP – Average Draft Position
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