#3. Alex Reyes
2022: None
2023 Steamer Projections via FanGraphs: 4.04 ERA, 4.10 FIP, 0 WAR
I would like to start off by saying none of these players on this list are flawless. If they were flawless, they would probably have a big time contract already like the aforementioned players. Reyes’ flaw is the fact that he recently underwent shoulder surgery.
I also want to start out by saying that WAR is a pretty flawed stat for pitchers overall and I don’t think it values them high enough. However, for relief pitchers, I think the statistic is incredibly flawed. I could expand on that, but would love to talk about Reyes more.
Per Baseball Savant, his fastball velocity was in the 91st percentile in 2021 (the last time he pitched) and his whiff % was in the 95th percentile. He throws his slider a lot, and it has a .089 batting average against.
His “stuff” is elite, there is no doubt about that. His issue is staying healthy for an entire season. He undoubtedly will not be fully healthy for 2023 as he recovers from shoulder surgery. However, for the price tag, it would be a wise move to take a flier on Reyes and his elite arm talent. It won’t require you to break the bank, and you just might get an impact arm.