Varland, Scott: Bullpen’s New Fantasy Elite?
Dive into the data on Louis Varland and Tanner Scott, emerging as top fantasy closer targets due to their impressive underlying metrics and secure roles.
Fantasy Baseball Bullpen Report: Louis Varland, Tanner Scott become two of the top closer targets
The bullpen landscape in fantasy baseball remains one of the sport’s most dynamic and frustrating variables. Elite closers are rare commodities, and identifying emerging options before your league mates is paramount to securing those crucial late-inning stats. Our advanced analytics pipeline has flagged two individuals who are not just performing, but whose underlying metrics suggest a sustainable trajectory to becoming top-tier fantasy assets: Louis Varland of the Minnesota Twins and Tanner Scott of the Miami Marlins.
Louis Varland: Velocity, Whiffs, and Opportunity
Louis Varland’s transition from starter to high-leverage reliever for the Twins has been nothing short of revelatory. Initially a starter with intriguing but inconsistent stuff, his move to the bullpen has unleashed a new level of dominance. In his recent relief appearances, Varland’s average fastball velocity has ticked up an astonishing 1.5 MPH, now regularly sitting in the upper 90s, complementing a nasty slider that generates a 40%+ whiff rate. His K/9 as a reliver has spiked to an elite 12.8 over his last 15 innings, paired with a surprisingly low 2.3 BB/9. The Twins, recognizing this shift in effectiveness and desperate for a reliable ninth-inning option, have seemingly handed him the keys. His xERA of 2.75, backed by a 30% K-BB% (strikeout minus walk percentage), points to a foundational skillset that is built for closing. This isnt just a hot streak; its a role transformation.
Tanner Scott: Sustained Dominance and Control Refinement
Tanner Scott’s journey to elite closer status has been a longer arc, but his recent performance solidifies his position. For years, Scott has possessed electric stuff—a blazing fastball and a wipeout slider—but has been plagued by control issues. However, our data illustrates a significant improvement in his command profile this season. His walk rate, which historically hovered around 15%, has been trimmed to a career-best 9.1% while maintaining his absurdly high 13.5 K/9. This reduction in free passes, combined with a 27% chase rate on pitches outside the zone, indicates a more refined approach and better pitch execution. Scott’s average exit velocity against is also among the league’s best for relievers, suggesting he limits hard contact effectively. With the Marlins committed to him as their primary closer, his save opportunities are locked in. The stability in his role, coupled with elite peripherals, makes him a definite must-add if available.
The Verdict for Your Fantasy Squad
Both Varland and Scott represent unique opportunities. Varland is the classic breakout, leveraging a new role to unlock dormant potential, while Scott has finally harnessed his immense talent into a consistent, high-leverage force. For fantasy managers scrambling for saves and elite ratios, these two present undeniable value. Targeting them now, before their ownership percentages fully reflect their closing capabilities, is a strategic move that could pay significant dividends through the remainder of the season. Always stay ahead of the curve, especially when tracking the ever-changing bullpen dynamics, and remember to check live scores and odds to gauge game situations where these guys will shine.
