American League Central 2024 Preview

Chicago White Sox: Way more questions than answers for the White Sox bullpen coming into 2024. If looking for the most likely reliever to land 10 or more saves, you may consider Michael Kopech. The once highly-touted starter turned emergency reliever is as good a bet as anyone to hit the double-digit mark. Other potential SV leaders include John Brebbia, although the veteran is ailing this spring. Young Jordan Leasure is a deep roster name to monitor too. This situation is best avoided as currently constructed.

Here are the three-year high-leverage results for Chicago:

Projected 2024 Hierarchy: Michael Kopech | John Brebbia | Steven Wilson | Jordan Leasure

Primary hold candidates: Brebbia, Wilson, Leasure, Tim Hill, Prelander Berroa

Cleveland Guardians: Lock Emmanuel Clase in as a top fantasy option once in 2024. He sits atop the Cleveland depth chart and was the top SV getter in baseball in 2023, with 44. The depth behind Clase, however, will be tested. Veteran Scott Barlow is in the fray, while Sam Hentges‘ finger must remain calm throughout the year. Carlos Carrasco may end up providing high-leverage outings for Cleveland, as well.

Here is how the Guardians high-leverage relievers have fared over the past three seasons:

Projected 2024 Hierarchy: Emmanuel Clase | Scott Barlow | Nick Sandlin

Primary holds candidates: Barlow, Hentges, Sandlin, Eli Morgan

Detroit Tigers: Command, command, command are the three keys to Alex Lange remaining as the Detroit closer in 2024. Gone are the days when he was the only option in town, as Jason Foley, Beau Briske, and Shelby Miller all pose threats to Lange’s hold on the ninth.

Projected 2024 Hierarchy: Alex Lange | Jason Foley | Shelby Miller | Andrew Chafin

Primary holds candidates: Chafin, Foley, Miller, Briske

Kansas City Royals: It’s not sexy, but Will Smith again finds himself in a fantasy-friendly position within the Royals bullpen. Now, it may not last all season, as his fastball is god-awful and James McArthur lurks, but Smith is a near certainty to get the role and a leash pre-trade deadline for KC. There are a few other names of interest including John Schreiber, Nick Anderson, and Chris Stratton.

High leverage results for the past three seasons in Kansas City:

Projected 2024 Hierarchy: Will Smith | James McArthur(HLR) | John Schreiber | Chris Stratton

Primary holds candidates: Schreiber, Anderson, Stratton, McArthur, John McMillon

Minnesota Twins: A repeat performance in 2024 from Jhoan Durán would make the Twins’ closer a Top 5 relief pitching option. Any progression could have Durán landing as the overall best fantasy reliever this year. The Minnesota bullpen is a collection of powerful arms behind their closer too. Griffin Jax led the team in appearance over the past two seasons, posting a 68:19 K:BB ratio in 2023. While Brock Stewart was unscored upon in 27 of 28 relief appearances.

Below is a look at the Twins high-leverage results over the last three seasons:

Projected 2024 Hierachy: Jhoan Durán | Griffin Jax | Brock Stewart

Primary holds candidates: Jax, Stewart, Caleb Thielbar

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Spring Vibes, March 18: Leclerc trending toward closing in Texas, Stephenson update, Finnegan’s back, Game Recaps, and more

Texas Rangers – It’s déjà vu all over again, with Bruce Bochy indicating he will begin the season with José Leclerc as the “closer” in this tweet by Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News on “X”. After struggling with an injury early on in 2023, Leclerc converted four of five save chances during the postseason with a 14:6 K:BB through 13.2 innings. With the Rangers adding David Robertson and Kirby Yates in free agency, the margin for error remains thin for maintaining the top spot in this bullpen’s leverage ladder. Last year, Leclerc’s rebound from August forward coincided with a rise in his velocity. Monitor this, and his command, early on this season, they will be harbingers of him remaining in the role.

Updated Hierarchy: José Leclerc | David Robertson | Josh Sborz

Los Angeles Angels –  In a column by Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register, Robert Stephenson will not be ready for Opening Day. He’s been throwing, but then the discomfort resurfaces. Although an MRI has only shown inflammation, the team will not rush him into game action so he’s available for the rest of the season. Plan accordingly in upcoming drafts. 

Updated Hierarchy: Carlos Estévez | Matt Moore | José Soriano

Washington Nationals –  It’s not considered serious, but manager Davey Martinez mentioned Kyle Finnegan has been dealing with a “stiff back” and will receive a bit more rest, then pitch on Wednesday (March 20) per Mark Zuckerman’s post on MASN. He last appeared on March 12, retiring both batters faced via strikeout. 

Hierarchy remains: Kyle Finnegan | Hunter Harvey | Tanner Rainey

Boston Red Sox – With the team narrowing down its pitchers vying for the rotation, Josh Winckowski will re-join the bullpen per Sean McAdam of MassLive. Last year, he went 4-4 as a reliever with three saves, 18 holds, a 13.9 K-BB percentage through 59 relief appearances. However, if he will work in multiple-inning outings, the third in line may be Isaiah Campbell or Greg Weissert, so this will be monitored closely over the next week. In a separate note, Kenley Jansen threw a light bullpen and will log his second spring outing on Monday (March 18) against the Twins, courtesy of Alex Speier of the Boston Globe. 

Hierarchy remains: Kenley Jansen | Chris Martin | Josh Winckowski

Quick Hits (Game Recaps from March 17)

Baltimore Orioles – Yennier Cano gave up three hits and an earned run in the seventh. This marked his fourth appearance and he’s posted a 1.00 WHIP with five strikeouts over four innings.

Cleveland Guardians – Back on track after a rough outing, Emmanuel Clase recorded his third spring hold, tossing a scoreless seventh, yielding a hit, and striking out one. He’s made six appearances this spring, posting a 1.50 WHIP with 10 strikeouts against one walk over six innings.

Kansas City Royals – Appearing in the sixth inning, Will Smith allowed a hit, an earned run, and a walk. This marked his sixth spring outing and he owns a 1.33 WHIP with three strikeouts and three walks through six innings.

Miami Marlins – Securing his second hold, Sixto Sánchez fired two clean frames while striking out one. He threw 20 pitches (65 Strike%) and produced two whiffs. Through four spring appearances, he’s posted a 0.50 WHIP with four strikeouts over six innings.

Oakland A’s – Dany Jiménez retired both batters faced, recording a strikeout. He owns a 0.79 WHIP with eight strikeouts versus two walks over 6.1 innings. Mason Miller navigated around two hits while striking out two for a scoreless eighth. He’s posted a 0.60 WHIP with nine strikeouts against zero walks through five innings.

Milwaukee Brewers – Taking over in the fifth, Joel Payamps stranded both inherited runners, and worked 1.2 scoreless frames, striking out two while collecting his first win this spring. Elvis Peguero turned in two clean frames, striking out four for his first hold. Abner Uribe notched his first save of the spring, tossing a scoreless ninth, giving up a hit, and striking out two. One should not overreact, however, Payamps entered a messy situation and handled it, with Uribe closing out the contest. This may happen in the regular season as well with Pat Murphy’s match-up based approach.

New York Mets – Edwin Díaz made his second outing, firing a clean sixth. He threw 10 pitches (50 Strike%) without a whiff. Through two clean appearances, he’s recorded three strikeouts.

Philadelphia Phillies – Entering in the fifth, Jeff Hoffman retired the side in order, recording one strikeout. He threw 11 pitches (6 strikes – 54.5 Strike%) and induced three whiffs (27.3 SwStr%). Seranthony Domínguez secured his second hold despite giving up two hits and two runs (one earned) while striking out one on 15 pitches (11 strikes – 73.3 Strike%) with one whiff. Gregory Soto notched his first spring hold, tossing a scoreless seventh, yielding a hit, and striking out two.

San Diego Padres – During an exhibition game versus Team Korea, Robert Suarez recorded a save, working around a hit and a walk with a pop-up, then a game-ending double play groundout. He threw 14 pitches (50 Strike%) and induced one whiff.

Tampa Bay Rays – Making his third appearance this spring, Pete Fairbanks gave up a hit during a scoreless fourth. He’s posted a 1.33 WHIP with three strikeouts over three innings.

Closer Monkey’s filthy pitch of the day was awarded to Sixto Sánchez, video courtesy of the Pitching Ninja.

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