Fantasy Baseball: Oakland Athletics Pitchers

Relief Pitchers

There is not much value here outside of two or three pitchers, unless you play in a league that counts holds. You’re looking at two pitchers who will likely earn saves in 2015, with a couple others that are interesting purely because of their strikeout potential.

Mar 5, 2015; Mesa, AZ, USA; Oakland Athletics pitcher Tyler Clippard throws against the Chicago Cubs during a spring training baseball game at Sloan Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Interim Closer: Tyler Clippard – He saved 35 games for the 2012 Washington nationals, but has otherwise worked exclusively as a setup man. He lowered his home run in 2014, increased kis K/9 and is moving to a more favorable park for pitchers. Until Doolittle’s shoulder injury heals Clippard is expected to serve as the team’s’ closer, in which case he makes for a top-20 reliever. ESPN sees him as the 31st best reliever without the expectation of a handful of saves because of his strong stats.

Clippard is owned in 78.8 of ESPN standard leagues and his ADP is 231. He will likely be taken in the late rounds of your draft.

If and when Doolittle returns he will take over as the team’s closer. In that role for most of 2014 he saved 22 games, struck out 89 batters, and posted 2.73 ERA and sub-2 FIP. His Strikeout-to-walk ratio was a superb 11.13 and he converted 85 percent of his save chances. ESPN sees him as the 21st best closer, which is right where he finished in 2014.

Doolittle is owned in 100 percent of ESPN standard leagues and his ADP is 176.8. Expect him to be drafted in the 12 round or later.

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