Relief Pitchers Deeper Dive - Week 9

Today and every Tuesday moving forward throughout the 2018 MLB season, we will take a deep dive into some of the lesser-owned relief pitchers on the market that are worth keeping tabs on.

This can be a good tool for those in deeper holds leagues, although any pitcher in a position to make a move on their respective team's closer job will get priority.

Today we'll take a look at three relievers with SP eligibility who are gaining value in leagues that value holds.

Under-the-Radar Relievers to Watch - Week 9

Brad Keller, Kansas City Royals - 1% owned

Keller, a 22-year-old rule 5 draft pick this season, has worked his way into a prime set up role for the Royals, despite a dismal 5.24 K/9. While he doesn't profile to ever be a high volume strikeout guy, he does a good job limiting hard contact while inducing plenty of ground balls (62.3%). There's talk of him moving into the rotation eventually, but for now, he is the primary handcuff and 8th inning option before Kelvin Herrera, a name we should hear plenty of up until the trade deadline.

Seth Lugo, New York Mets- 4% owned

I had Seth Lugo in mind before yesterday debacle, which even after he blew the lead in the 8th, the Mets still trusted him with the 9th inning lead, which is a pretty telling sign how much they trust him. He and former starter turned reliever Robert Gsellman, have been the teams best relievers in front of Jeurys Familia this season, with Lugo's usage trending more and more towards the later innings recently. Lugo is a nice low-cost add in holds leagues where you can stick him into your SP slot and gain advantages in holds, as well as strikeouts and ratios.

Tyler Glasnow, Pittsburgh Pirates - 4% owned

After a rocky month to begin the season, the former top prospect has seemingly turned a corner in May, allowing just one earned run and a 16/2 K/BB rate over his past 11.1 innings. The two walks is a borderline miracle for him, and hopefully something he can sustain moving forward, although he was hit around a bit, allowing nine hits. Still, we'll gladly take a WHIP under one from Glasnow given the strikeout upside here, and with all sorts of issues in that Pirates bullpen lately, (Kontos DFA'd, Vizcaino's forearm soreness and Feliz's struggles) Glasnow could soon find himself working some hold situations.

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