Heath Bell - Fantasy News & Updates
Heath Bell - Fantasy News & Updates
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Not bad for a first-time closer. Bell proved to be a more-than-capable replacement to longtime Padres fireman Trevor Hoffman, and though he slowed down somewhat after an explosive start, he'll go into 2010 as a Top 10 finisher.
Bell excelled as the Padres' new closer after Trevor Hoffman was let go by the club. Bell's 42 saves would put him in elite company even if he held high pitching averages, but his 2.75 ERA and 1.11 WHIP are excellent numbers to combine with his excellent saves total.
The Padres elected to rest closer Heath Bell, who notched his 40th save on Wednesday. In doing so, they provided a well-deserved opportunity to Gregerson, who has quietly established himself as the Padres setup man, and a impressive one, at that. With a 2.89 ERA and a sterling 85/28 K/BB ratio over 71 2/3, the 25-year-old rookie could factor into the saves equation down the line if the Padres eventually part ways with Bell. Keep an eye on Gregerson.
Bell has looked a little worn down in September, and entered Wednesday's game with a 6.00 ERA and three blown saves in 10 opportunities this month. When the Padres needed him, though, Bell was there yet again. Late season struggles aside, Bell has been a brilliant fantasy closer this year, notching 72 strikeouts in 65 2/3 innings and converting 40 of 46 save opportunities.
Bell has picked up a win and two saves over in his last three appearances since a rocky stretch during which he blew two saves and took a pair of losses. Overall, the first-year fireman is 39-for-44 in converted save opportunities and boasts a nasty 72/22 K/BB ratio.
This marks Bell's second straight harmless appearance and his first save since Sept. 9. He went through a rough three-outing stretch from Sept. 11-15 in which he gave up seven earned runs on seven hits and two walks in three innings over that span. But the save on Saturday makes it seem like he should reach 40 saves as soon as the Padres put him in position to do so.
Bell may be tiring after a long season, but owners shouldn't get too worried. With a 2.66 ERA, 37 saves and over a strikeout per inning, his numbers are still terrific, and there isn't anybody better waiting to take over in San Diego's bullpen.
Nobody's perfect, but Bell was so close for so much of the season that his having blown two saves in his last nine opportunities looks like a serious slide. It isn't. While Bell's K-rate has declined somewhat from its dominant early-season levels, he's still 37-for-41 in save situations this year, still owns a host of fine stats -- including a 2.55 ERA and 1.08 WHIP -- and has been scored upon in just three of his last 21 outings.
Bell has been a machine lately, recording four saves in as many outings and allowing just two baserunners in the process. In fact, he's allowed just one runner to cross home plate in 9 2/3 innings over his past nine outings, so the closer seems as if he can finish the season on a high note.
Bell blew a save Aug. 25, so Saturday's outing was reassuring that the Padres will still look to Bell nearly every time they have a save situation. The first of his three punchouts stretched his strikeout streak to six outings.
Padres closer Heath Bell was already used in this one, suffering a blown save, which explains the newfound opportunity for Mujica, who dropped his ERA to 3.26.
Bell was hit hard and blew his second save of the season on Sunday, but had better luck in this one. He remains one of the most effective all-around closers in all of fantasy, despite pitching for a weak San Diego squad. He has saved 29 of the team's 50 wins.
Bell, who extended his scoreless innings streak to seven, has blown just one save all season, holding opposing batters to a minuscule .193 batting average against with a nasty 1.75 ERA.
With the Padres struggling to score runs (and win games), Bell has pitched on a much more infrequent basis than when he rang up 22 saves over the season's first three months. Bell hasn't been needed that much lately, and has notched just six saves over the last six weeks. But when he's called upon, the hard-throwing righty has done the job, converting 28 of his 29 opportunities.
Bell continues to make the most of his save opportunities. The Padres have 43 wins on the season, and Bell has saved 26 of those (in 27 chances) while continuing to provide plenty of help in peripheral categories from ERA (.191) to WHIP (1.06) to strikeouts (49 in 42 1/3 innings).
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