After giving up multiple runs in three straight outings, Brett Cecil was removed from the Blue Jays’ closing role. The reason for the change is simple: including a scoreless outing this week, Cecil has posted a 10.38 ERA and 11:7 K:BB ratio in 8 2/3 innings in June.
The Blue Jays said they’d be going to a committee and sure enough, the last two saves have gone to different relievers. Most recently, Steve Delabar picked up a save Wednesday and now owns a 1.42 ERA, 0.79 WHIP and 21:7 K:BB ratio in 19 innings. However, that save came in the 12th inning of the game, and even though he’s posted impressive numbers, he could be second in line for saves in the new committee.
Roberto Osuna, 20, has been excellent in his rookie season, racking up 40 strikeouts against just 10 walks in 34 1/3 innings while posting a 2.10 ERA and 0.90 WHIP. He features a blistering fastball that has crept up in June to average better than 97 mph while also mixing in a slider, changeup and occasional sinker, per Brooks Baseball. All four pitches graded 50 or better coming into the season, per Fangraphs. The one drawback on his preseason ranking was his control, but he’s certainly seemed to make strides in that facet of the game on the major-league level, averaging 2.6 walks per nine innings this season.
Osuna isn’t without drawbacks. He’s been a heavy flyball pitcher this season, and some part of his excellent ratios can be credited to a likely-unsustainable 2.5 homer-per-flyball rate. The control, which has been pretty consistent throughout the season, could start to slip, as we can’t be completely confident in him solidifying a big step forward based on 34 1/3 innings.
However, Osuna has plenty of upside to run away with the closer role on a team that figures to score a lot of runs and continue racking up wins. I’d take him first among Blue Jays relievers and Delabar second, while not bothering to roster Cecil any further. Also keep an eye out for Aaron Sanchez, who was a closer candidate before the season before breaking camp as a starter, but who’s also being considered for a role in the bullpen upon his return from a lat strain. If he’s sitting out on the waiver wire, I like him as the best long-term option of the bunch. If I’m looking to chase saves right now, I’m grabbing Osuna. I suspect there’s likely room for both as well as Delabar on fantasy teams in standard leagues.
Pick Him Up? Rankings
Carson Smith, SEA
Brad Ziegler, ARI
Roberto Osuna, TOR
Aaron Sanchez, TOR
Jake McGee, TB
Ken Giles, PHI
Steve Delabar, TOR
Jason Motte, CHC
Will Smith, MIL
Junichi Tazawa, BOS
Jeremy Jeffress, MIL
Jim Johnson, ATL
Enrique Burgos, ARI
Bruce Rondon, DET
JJ Hoover, CIN
Evan Scribner, OAK
Joaquin Benoit, SD
LaTroy Hawkins, COL
Pedro Strop, CHC
Bryan Shaw, CLE
Rafael Soriano, CHC
