Trevor Hildenberger (RP, MIN): Week 25 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues

OWNED IN: 25% of leagues

ANALYSIS: Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Trevor Hildenberger is the closer for the Twins and, that alone, makes him a fantasy asset. There are a lot of things not to like about Hildy, the 4.45 FIP and 8.26 strikeouts per nine are a good start, but a closer is a closer.

Since the All-Star Break, Hildenberger has an ugly 5.56 ERA, but also has not allowed a run since August 23 and has six saves. While his strikeout issues are listed above, Hildy has whiffed at least one batter in each of his last three appearances and has not allowed a walk in seven of his last eight appearances as well. While his ERA is poor and his FIP is worse at 5.89, he has a 3.77 xFIP. This stat replaces actual home runs allowed with the league-average home run rate; a 33.3% HR/FB rate for Hildenberger is poor and also was influenced by allowing homers in four straight appearances from August 5-August 11.

Hildenberger is a closer and saves are critical in the last weeks of the season. He might be among the lowest tier of closers, but he will still get you saves.