Los Angeles Dodgers RHP Evan Phillips was one of the noteworthy breakout relief pitchers of 2022 when, in his fifth big league season and performing for his fourth franchise, he learned to throw a cutter and suddenly posted a 1.14 ERA and an 0.76 WHIP over 63 innings. Fantasy managers tend to notice numbers such as those, even when there are few saves involved. Phillips, 28, should have been more popular in ESPN standard drafts this season but, perhaps fantasy managers preferred more saves.
Well, Phillips is having another tremendous season for the Dodgers this year, adding double-digit saves to his considerable numbers, even though he is occasionally utilized in an eighth-inning role, depending on game context and who is batting for the opponent. This is wise bullpen management, because as we saw with the beleaguered New York Mets in Philadelphia on Sunday, saving your closer for a save chance that may not come when the game is being cruelly lost in the eighth inning is not so smart.
Regardless, fantasy managers in ESPN leagues sure are taking their time in adding Phillips to their respective teams, as he has been on the most-added list for over a month, but it has been a slow progression, as he still remains available in 75% of leagues. This is despite his averaging 4.8 fantasy points per game and ranking close to the top 10 in season-long scoring among relief pitchers. He is the No. 16 relief pitcher on the ESPN Player Rater.
There is, however, a new plot twist to consider. The Dodgers plan to activate RHP Daniel Hudson from the 60-day IL, perhaps as soon as this weekend. Fantasy managers may wonder how this may affect high-leverage usage for both Phillips and fellow RHP Brusdar Graterol, who has four saves. Hudson, 36, tore an ACL last June and had pitched quite effectively up to that point, posting a 2.22 ERA and an 0.90 WHIP over 24 1/3 innings. He saved five wins, while earning holds in nine others. RHP Craig Kimbrel closed for the Dodgers most of last season, but Hudson -- when he pitched -- pitched better.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts surely has made no public comments regarding how he intends to utilize Hudson upon his activation, but it certainly is possible that saves are in his future if he pitches well. Hudson, who once won 16 games as a starter for the Arizona Diamondbacks more than a decade ago, has been around a long time, but he only reached double-digit saves in 2019 with the eventual champion Washington Nationals. Hudson has 32 career saves. He doesn't have to close, but it is possible.
Ultimately, Phillips seems likely to remain an eighth-inning option, an occasional closer, and quite underrated by fantasy managers. Does he reach 20 saves? Perhaps, but I think Hudson will get to double-digits as well. Going with Hudson over Graterol for the rest of the season in both points and roto formats makes some sense. Roster Phillips first, though.
Stock rising
Adbert Alzolay, Chicago Cubs: Alzolay isn't earning a lot of saves, but then again, nobody else is on the Cubs. The Cubs have had only two saves among their last 11 victories, and Alzolay, a 28-year-old right-hander, has them both. Alzolay started 21 games during the 2021 season, permitting 24 home runs in those 106⅓ innings. That was a big problem. His stuff played up in a relief role, and that has become his new role. His is currently an ordinary strikeout rate, but a .195 BAA and few walks moved him from a multi-inning option to a ninth-inning one. Alzolay should see more save opportunities in the coming weeks.
Josh Sborz, Texas Rangers: Sborz earned himself a passing mention in last week's blog entry, but he continues to thrive, notching 10 consecutive scoreless outings in which he has fanned 21 hitters (and permitted only five base runners) over 15⅓ innings. He has 78 fantasy points over the last 30 days. The Texas closer, LHP Will Smith, has only 59 points. Sborz is rostered in 2.6% of leagues. Smith is at 28.9%. Roster them both if you can, and we should stop expecting Smith to lose the closing role. A somewhat similar situation has emerged with the San Diego Padres, as RHP Steven Wilson has 50 fantasy points over 30 days, and LHP closer Josh Hader has 38. Setup men have value, too.
Brock Stewart, Minnesota Twins: Who? Stewart pitched for both the Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays from 2016-2019, starting 11 times over his 46 appearances and posting a 6.05 ERA and a 1.59 WHIP. It is understandable that fantasy managers do not know Stewart, who then had Tommy John surgery and worked his way back to the majors through independent ball. Now, at 31, he has a 0.70 ERA and multiple strikeouts in eight of his last 11 appearances. He's earning holds, too. It's time to learn the name.
Stock falling
Jose Alvarado, Philadelphia Phillies: Alvarado came off the IL on June 9 following a bout with elbow inflammation and he walked his first hitter of the season that day. He has pitched eight times since his activation, issuing seven walks and permitting runs in three of them. Mets 1B Pete Alonso homered off him on Sunday. Alvarado is still throwing hard, but the ridiculous and unlikely (for him) command he showed over the first five weeks has passed. He may see some save chances, but Kimbrel has certainly pitched better over the last few weeks. This may not be a saves timeshare anymore.
Bryan Abreu, Houston Astros: The presumed top setup man for RHP closer Ryan Pressly has permitted earned runs in three of his last five appearances, spiking his ERA to 2.75. In Saturday's game, Abreu -- who had issued just one walk over his previous eight appearances -- walked the first three Dodgers in the bottom of the eighth inning, and each free pass turned into a run. Perhaps it is merely a blip. Pressly has been better lately, but we should expect RHP Hector Neris to get more eighth-inning work.