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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