Washington Nationals

First off, before we go any further, go add Juan Soto if he's available in your league. Unless you play in AL-Only, he needs to be owned everywhere. That's how good this kid is. Yes, a slew of injuries to the Washington outfield had a lot to do with this call-up, but so did Soto's insanely high level of play so far this season. Juan Soto started the season with Single-A Hagerstown and quickly made it known that his stay in the South Atlantic League was going to be a quick one. In 59 at-bats, Soto hit .373/.486/.814/1.300…

You know something, we're pretty spoiled for choice at reliever. No matter your draft strategy, you have a good chance to walk away with a reliable closer if you play your cards smart this season. Last season tells us Kenley Jansen and Craig Kimbrel are in another galaxy of their own, but for those of us left here on earth, last year also tells us that reaching for an elite closer isn't always the best strategy come draft day. Injuries and pitchers go hand in hand -- see Jeurys Familia, Mark Melancon, and Zach Britton for…

It’s the love/hate relationship you really love to hate: closers! With a good two and a half months left until Opening Day, now is as good a time as any to start breaking down some bullpen arms ahead of your draft. This series will detail every division across the league, offering you the big names you’ll want to own, as well as the sleepers you need to keep an eye on, and of course some key stats to better prepare you for the big day. Next up, we take a look at the NL East.  Team  Closer  Next in Line  Plan C…

In most fantasy leagues, about the only reason to care about a reliever is if they are closing or have a chance to close down the line. For those in leagues that count holds, it’s generally the same pitcher pool. The two major factors that determine if a pitcher will close is talent and opportunity. Here is a quick rundown on where some recently signed relievers fit into those two categories. Fernando Rodney signs with the Twins After struggling to find a closer last season after trading away Brandon Kintzler, the…

Last week in the Fantrax top-10, we profiled 10 pitchers that could be affordable targets for your fantasy squad. This week we switch back to real life and look at the top World Series contenders this season. You know the old saying, “Pitching and defense win championships.” When I was a youngster, I disagreed with that notion. My eight-year-old brain would think, “Well, you need to score runs to win games!” This might have been because I was eight during the infamous 1998 home run race between Mark McGwire and Sammy…