Dellin Betances (RP, NYY) - 2018 Fantasy Baseball Sleepers & Draft Values

BALLER MOVE: Target ~230

CURRENT ADP: 278

ANALYSIS: At his current ADP, Dellin Betances is going undrafted in many standard leagues. While not currently a closer, Betances contributes meaningfully in strikeouts, ERA and WHIP. Since 2014, he ranks fourth with a 14.44 K/9 amongst all pitchers. He's been flat-out dominant out of the bullpen with a career 2.29 ERA, 2.42 xFIP and 1.04 WHIP.

Betances has seen his ERA creep up the past two seasons from a decline in LOB% and a bit of wildness; his 6.64 BB:9 last year was a career high, resulting in a disappointing 1.22 WHIP. With Aroldis Chapman slamming the door in the Bronx, only rogue saves are possible (Betances picked up 10 saves in 2017 while Chapman was hurt).

Regardless, Betances is a wipeout RP, combining a high-90s fastball with an awesome slider. His heater velocity has actually increased. He could anchor teams in strikeouts and ratios, yet is being assigned no value. Unlike other RP, the primary risk of demotion from closing is nonexistent. Closers and saves suffer systemic churn and Betances should be drafted at least near the bottom-barrel tiers. If the orange flags of walks and strand-rates result in continued stat deterioration in 2018, a late pick in the final rounds should still prove a viable risk-adjusted investment.