2. Dylan Floro, Miami Marlins
A.J. Puk’s elbow injury opened the door for someone to take over the close role for Miami, and Floro has stepped through it in big fashion. Since Puk was placed on the IL on May 14, Floro is 4-for-4 in save opportunities while allowing one hit in that span.
More strikeouts (three over those aforementioned four outings. 8.5 K/9 this season) would be nice. But Floro limits hard contact (86th percentile or better in the applicable contact metrics, v ia Baseball Savant), and he generates plenty of ground balls (58.2 percent).
Puk recently played catch as he starts to work his way back. But he is without a clear timeline to return. So Floro could keep the closer role for a while longer, and perhaps even keep it when Puk is available again.
ESPN Ownership: 9%
Yahoo! Ownership: 42%
1. Miguel Castro, Arizona Diamondbacks
The Diamondbacks are another closer committee, where Andrew Chafin (six saves) leads the way and is pitching well enough to not be going away. But Castro is coming, with three saves since May 12. Over his five outings in that span, he has mixed in a win and his seventh hold of the season.
All three runs Castro has allowed in May (10 outings) came in one appearance. He has allowed no runs and no hits in 14 of his 22 outings overall this season.
It’s a stretch to say Castro will outright dominate Arizona’s save opportunities going forward. But it’s not out of the question, and he clearly is on the rise.
ESPN Ownership: 3.7%
Yahoo! Ownership: 25%
Honorable Mention: Alex Lange, Detroit Tigers