Michael Blazek

Michael Blazek

35-Year-Old PitcherP
 Free Agent  
2024 Fantasy Outlook
There was no outlook written for Michael Blazek in 2024. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.
$Signed a one-year, minor-league contract with the Nationals in May of 2019.
Outrighted to minors
PWashington Nationals  
August 3, 2019
Blazek cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Fresno on Saturday, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.
ANALYSIS
Blazek was designated for assignment as the Nationals made three deadline-day additions to their bullpen Wednesday. He's allowed four runs in five big-league innings this season, striking out zero batters while walking five.
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Pitching Stats
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2019
2017
2019 MLB Game Log
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2017 MLB Game Log
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Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Michael Blazek See More
Yahoo DFS Baseball: Thursday Picks
July 27, 2017
Greg Vara looks over Thursday's slate and thinks Giancarlo Stanton's current hot streak makes him a must-start against the Reds' Robert Stephenson.
NL FAAB Factor: Waiver Pickups of the Week
July 9, 2017
Jan Levine runs down the possible waiver-wire options for this week, including the return of Kyle Schwarber to the Cubs.
The Saber's Edge: Digging for Future Saves Now
May 18, 2016
Jeff Zimmerman looks at every team's closer situation and who might benefit from deadline deals. Can Sean Doolittle get his job back in Oakland?
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2017
2016
2015
2014
The promise Blazek showed in 2015 was nowhere to be found in 2016. Blazek's control went haywire, as he walked 27 batters in just 41.1 innings (5.9 BB/9), more than double his walk rate from the prior season. That was the major culprit behind an ERA jump of over three runs for Blazek, who also allowed a career-high seven home runs (1.5 HR/9). An inability to throw his curveball for a strike was a huge problem, as his fastball became predictable and he fell into too many hitters' counts. Blazek still isn't arbitration eligible until 2018, so he has one more year to prove he deserves to be a long-term piece in a major league bullpen.
Blazek was given a chance to pitch full-time for the Brewers in 2015, and he proved his worth. He turned in a career-best season with a 2.43 ERA and 1.04 WHIP prior to breaking his right hand in August. While his 2.61 K/BB still isn't great, it is an improvement from previous seasons. Blazek achieved surprising results with his arsenal of pitches last year, and if he can build off of his strong 2015 campaign, he could compete for late-inning work with the Brewers this season. An appointment to the closer role seems unlikely, however, as Jeremy Jeffress and Will Smith both seem better suited to inherit the job from Francisco Rodriguez.
Blazek worked as both a starter and reliever last season after pitching exclusively in relief the year before. He fared better as a starting pitcher (3.62 ERA in 77 innings) than he did out of the bullpen (5.68 ERA in 25.1 innings), but he started mostly out of necessity, so it remains to be seen if he will stay in that role moving forward. Blazek did have a dominant year in relief in 2013, and the Brewers have good starting pitching depth at the top level, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see him move back into a bullpen role.
Blazek joined the Brewers late in the 2013 season, after being acquired in a deal for former closer John Axford. For the first time in his career, Blazek pitched exclusively as a reliever, a transition that seemed to fit him well, as he posted a 1.97 ERA and struck out 52 batters in 45.2 minor league innings. His control could use some work, but he throws three other pitches besides a 95-mph fastball, so he could be a factor at some point in what figures to be an inexperienced bullpen.
More Fantasy News
Contract selected by Nationals
PWashington Nationals  
July 22, 2019
Blazek's contract was selected by the Nationals on Monday.
ANALYSIS
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Delay in callup
PWashington Nationals  
July 21, 2019
Blazek will not be called up for Sunday's contest as originally reported, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.
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To be called up
PWashington Nationals  
July 20, 2019
Blazek will have his contract selected by the Nationals on Sunday, Jamal Collier of MLB.com reports.
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Picked up by Washington
PWashington Nationals  
May 13, 2019
Blazek had his contract purchased by the Nationals on Monday.
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Resurfaces in indy ranks
PFree Agent  
April 11, 2019
Blazek signed a contract Thursday with the Lincoln Saltdogs of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, Brandon Warne of ZoneCoverage.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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