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ANALYSIS: Raisel Iglesias was one of the most — if not THE most — highly-anticipated breakout candidates for the 2016 season. When the 26-year-old returned from a two-month-long stint on the disabled list in late June, however, the Reds relegated him to the bullpen. But it’s not as though Iglesias had really been struggling. He lasted at least five innings in each of his five outings, never allowing more than three runs. He struck out 29 batters and only walked seven, and the Reds went 3-2 in his starts.
This was a move made by the Reds largely in an effort to limit the young righty’s workload in a season that was essentially over before it even began— trading Todd Frazier and Aroldis Chapman last winter weren’t exactly signs of a team expecting to contend for a championship.
Iglesias has actually had more success in his new role. Opposing hitters are slashing a mere .126/.237/.194 with a 29.7% strikeout rate against Raisel the Reliever. And while current closer Tony Cingrani does have 15 saves, he has also blown four since taking over the job, and he yielded five runs in less than an inning earlier this month.
There have been no signs that point towards Iglesias taking over the closer role anytime soon, but it has become abundantly clear that it is a possibility sometime down the road— a possibility on which fantasy owners should keep a close eye. As of now, he’s worth owning in deep NL-Only formats and mixed leagues that reward holds, but Iglesias’ potential for greatness is still very much alive and well.
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