Pat Neshek

Pat Neshek

44-Year-Old PitcherP
 Free Agent  
2024 Fantasy Outlook
There was no outlook written for Pat Neshek in 2024. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.
$Signed a two-year, $16 million contract with the Phillies in December of 2017. Phillies declined $7 million team option for 2020 in November of 2019.
Option declined by Phillies
PFree Agent  
Hamstring
October 31, 2019
Neshek's $7 million club option for 2020 was declined by the Phillies on Thursday, making him a free agent, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.
ANALYSIS
The 39-year-old was plagued by shoulder and hamstring injuries in 2019, which may have helped contribute to a 5.00 ERA over 20 appearances. It's unclear whether a team will take a chance on the right-hander after he only managed to log 42.1 innings over the past two seasons due to injuries.
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Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Pat Neshek See More
Collette Calls: 2022 NL West Bold Predictions
February 16, 2022
Jason Collette wraps up his 2022 Bold Predictions series with a spin through the NL West! Find out why he has concerns about Mookie Betts and which pitcher is his pick for "this year's Robbie Ray."
The Z Files: Changing Wins to Innings and Saves to Solds
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Todd Zola examines the impact of new scoring categories on the pitching side, including the rise in value of top set-up men like Tyler Duffey.
All-Time Minnesota Twins Draft
May 28, 2020
Brian Dozier was the first active player to be selected. He went to Chris Liss in the fifth round.
Mound Musings: Checking the NL Bullpens
May 16, 2019
Brad Johnson looks at National League closer situations, where in San Francisco closer Will Smith is doing so well, he may be a target in trade talks later this season.
MLB Barometer: Risers & Fallers
April 22, 2019
Erik Halterman's stock watch this week features the Cubs' Willson Contreras, who looks to be firmly back in the top tier of catchers after failing to live up to lofty expectations last season.
Past Fantasy Outlooks
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Neshek's 14-year major-league career may finally be at an end. Shoulder, forearm and hamstring injuries combined to limit him to just 42.1 innings over the last two seasons. In his 18.0 innings in 2019, he stumbled to a 5.00 ERA while striking out just 11.4% of opposing batters. The 39-year-old has gotten by with moderate strikeout rates in the past, but there's presumably a lower limit to how far that number can go while a pitcher remains successful. If the veteran intends to keep pitching, he'll likely be able to find work. In the seven seasons prior to last year, he recorded an ERA of 2.51, never recording an ERA above 3.62. It's certainly possible that a team believes his 2019 campaign was a small-sample blip. Even if he does fill a role somewhere this season, he's unlikely to pitch in the ninth inning or strike out a high number of batters, limiting his fantasy appeal.
Injuries prevented Neshek from immediately making an impact, but after finally being activated July 1, he provided the sort of numbers the Phillies were envisioning when they signed him to a two-year deal. He finished the season with five saves and a 2.59 ERA. He’s unlikely to be the primary closer in Philadelphia this season, but he’ll be fairly high up the depth chart, and manager Gabe Kapler has demonstrated an indifference to traditional bullpen roles. That could benefit Neshek, as he could earn a handful of saves even if he’s never Kapler’s most trusted reliever. There are some red flags for the veteran, however, including his age (38) and his underlying stats. Neshek struck out just 14.9% of batters and generated a low 38.0% groundball rate, leading to a 3.61 FIP and 4.99 xFIP. A bet on Neshek is a bet that his funky, sidearm delivery will help him stave off aging and continue to beat his peripherals.
The sidearmer turned in his best season yet at 36 years of age. His 1.86 FIP was the sixth-lowest in baseball among pitchers with at least 60 innings, trailing only Kenley Jansen (1.31), Craig Kimbrel (1.42), Roberto Osuna (1.74), Chad Green (1.75) and Tommy Kahnle (1.83). Neshek's ERA more than doubled after being traded from Philadelphia to Colorado, but he was still excellent given the setting (2.45 ERA), and the peripherals were even better after the move (24:1 K:BB). Overall, Neshek walked just 2.6 percent of the batters he faced while striking out 29.4 percent, and rarely were the balls put in play against him hit hard (24.4 percent hard-hit rate). Neshek, who re-signed with Philadelphia in the offseason, has never been given an extended look in a closing role (eight career saves), but that could change in 2018 if Hector Neris gets hurt or pitches his way out of the job.
Neshek put up solid numbers for the Astros as a right-handed matchup pitcher in 2016, with a 3.06 ERA and 0.94 WHIP. He struck out 43 hitters in 47 innings over 60 appearances, roughly in line with his career average. Neshek's sidearm delivery has helped him be particularly nasty against right-handed hitters, who have hit just .181 against him over his career, and just .169 in 2016. He can thank his slider for his especially good 2016 numbers, as he threw 54 percent sliders in 2016, up from 39 percent in 2015 and 34 percent in 2014. The fact that Neshek, who recently turned 36 years old, has relied more on deception and movement than velocity throughout his career has likely helped him stay effective with age. Looking forward, Neshek was traded to Philadelphia in the offseason, where he will represent a veteran bullpen arm on a young, rebuilding team. He may have a shot at closing should a younger Phillies reliever fail to emerge, but Hector Neris is the favorite to begin the year in the ninth-inning role.
Signed by the Astros to a two-year deal last offseason, Neshek was one of the club's most dependable relievers in 2015. He logged the second-most appearances (66) on the team behind fellow reliever Will Harris (68) and frequently pitched in high-leverage situations. The 35-year-old ranked fifth in baseball with 28 holds while maintaining a respectable 3.62 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 51:12 K:BB over 54.2 innings. He did not allow a walk over the first two months of the season, issuing his first in his 25th appearance June 7. After a successful first season in Houston, Neshek likely will return to a setup role to open 2016.
A fan favorite, Neshek turned a spring training invite into his best season as a major leaguer. He was terrific in whatever situation the Cardinals put him in, finishing the season with 25 holds and six saves while posting a 1.87 ERA and a very impressive 0.79 WHIP. Neshek had some concerning flyball tendencies but a low 4.3% HR/FB rate kept him out of trouble and partially explains why his xFIP for 2014 was 3.29. Neshek still logged 67.1 innings and struck out 68 batters, making him a valuable fantasy asset in any league that counts holds. He'll likely have a similar role after signing a two-year deal with the Astros. Even if he doesn't get an opportunity to close in Houston, Neshek will be a main setup guy and rack up holds again in 2015.
Neshek was serviceable for the A's in 2013, putting together a 3.35 ERA over 40.1 innings. Neshek's strikeout rate dropped to a career-low 6.5 K/9 and his WHIP spiked to 1.36, thus his ERA in the mid-3.00s was a little bit lucky. Neshek was released by the A's in the offseason and he will look to catch on in middle relief for another squad.
Neshek arrived in Oakland late in the year after a deal with Baltimore and was very effective in his short stint with the A's. He also served as an inspiration to the team after pitching in the ALDS a couple of days after the death of his newborn son, Gehrig. Neshek was nasty against righties in 2012 holding them to a paltry .189 slugging percentage. Neshek should be an effective ROOGY again in the Oakland bullpen.
Neshek struggled in his first season back from Tommy John surgery as he had a noticeable drop in velocity to a mid-80s fastball from throwing in the high 80s/low-90s before the surgery. His lack of velocity was reflected in a low strikeout rate of just 5.7 K/9IP at Triple-A. Still, Neshek could improve in his second year back. When healthy, Neshek's funky delivery is a tough matchup for right-handed hitters, which made him a key setup man for the Twins. He'll likely begin the season at Triple-A, but could be a key late-inning option again if he regains his velocity.
Neshek underwent Tommy John surgery in Nov. 2008 and could be ready for the start of spring training. If healthy, he could return to his role as the top right-handed set-up man for Joe Nathan.
Neshek suffered a partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow in May. He at first tried to rehab the injury, but suffered a full tear in November. He underwent Tommy John surgery and will miss the entire 2009 season.
Neshek enters 2008 as the top set-up man to closer Joe Nathan and perhaps the most likely candidate to get saves should Nathan get hurt. He has an 89-90 mph fastball, a good slider and a deceptive delivery that's especially tough on right-handed batters. Neshek proved his strong rookie season wasn't a fluke with a 1.70 ERA and 52:13 K:BB ratio before the All-Star break. He alleviated concerns from his rookie season that he wasn't effective against left-handed hitters by holding them to a .613 OPS (compared to .570 against righties), in part due to a new changeup. However, he struggled in the second half with a 6.23 ERA and was shut down twice in September due to an inflamed ligament in his elbow. He was used heavily last season, including seven of nine games at one point in July and a career-high 74 games, which makes overuse a concern for his 2008 fantasy value.
Neshek was arguably the best middle reliever in baseball during his rookie season. The Minnesota native has an 89-90 mph fastball, a good slider, and a deceptive delivery that's especially tough on right-handed batters. He's a rare side-arm pitcher who can also post high strikeout totals. There's a concern once hitters get more familiar with his delivery, he won't be able to duplicate his success. However, his minor league strikeout and control numbers argue otherwise. A more pressing concern is that he wasn't as effective against left-handed batters (.811 OPS vs. lefties compared to a .311 OPS vs. righties), which may limit his innings. Still, he'll be a key set-up man in the Minnesota bullpen.
Neshek was the closer at Double-A New Britain and recorded 24 saves and a 95/21 K/BB ratio in 82 1/3 innings. He has an 89-90 MPH fastball, a good slider, and a deceptive delivery. He'll start out next season at Triple-A Rochester and a strong first half could have him in the mix for a relief role with the big league club.
More Fantasy News
Undergoes surgery
PPhiladelphia Phillies  
Hamstring
September 10, 2019
Neshek underwent hamstring surgery Tuesday, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
ANALYSIS
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Done for season
PPhiladelphia Phillies  
Hamstring
August 31, 2019
Neshek (hamstring) will not pitch again this season, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.
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Season could be over
PPhiladelphia Phillies  
Hamstring
August 26, 2019
Neshek (hamstring) may not return before the end of the season, Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
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Receives PRP injection
PPhiladelphia Phillies  
Hamstring
July 12, 2019
Neshek (hamstring) received a PRP injection and isn't expected to return until early or mid-September, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
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Shifts to 60-day injured list
PPhiladelphia Phillies  
Hamstring
July 12, 2019
Neshek (hamstring) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Friday.
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Probably will become free agent
PPhiladelphia Phillies  
October 17, 2019
Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com expects Neshek to have his $7 million option for 2020 declined by the Phillies.
ANALYSIS
Neshek returned to Philly after his 2.59 ERA in 2018 but fell flat with a 5.00 ERA this past season, posting another emaciated K/9 (4.5). The 39-year-old could eventually luck into a high-leverage role for another bullpen after a probable buyout of $750,000.
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