Hansel Robles

Robles entered the 2020 campaign as the incumbent closer for the Angels but retained the position for less than two weeks after giving up nine earned runs across his initial four outings. He subsequently racked up five straight scoreless appearances before flailing again near the end of the season and ultimately ended up with an ugly 10.26 ERA across 16.2 frames. After cutting his career walk rate nearly in half to 5.7% in his breakthrough 2019 campaign, Robles reverted back to -- and exceeded -- his norm last season with a career-worst 12.5 BB%. When he wasn't giving batters free passes, he was frequently serving up meatballs as opponents registered a 14.3% barrel rate and 46.9 Sweet Spot% against him along with four home runs. Minnesota took a flyer on Robles with the hope that he can rediscover his 2019 magic, but he'll need to prove his worth before being trusted in a high-leverage role.

The Angels brought in Cody Allen to serve as their closer in 2019, but his early-season struggles allowed Robles to step into that role near the end of April. Robles looked comfortable in the ninth inning, converting 23 of his 27 save opportunities while finishing with a career-best 2.88 FIP in 72.2 innings. The right-hander enjoyed an uptick in velocity for a second straight year -- his average fastball went from 94.9 mph in 2017 to 97.1 mph last season -- resulting in his best strikeout (26.5%) and swinging strike rate (12.3%) since 2015. He began incorporating his changeup more beginning in June and posted a 1.52 ERA over his final 44 outings. Most importantly, Robles was able to cut down on home runs (0.7 HR/9) and walks (2.0 BB/9) after struggling in both of those departments through his first four big-league seasons. He's a good bet to reprise his role as the Angels' closer in 2020.

Robles began 2018 in the Mets' organization, bouncing between Triple-A Las Vegas and Queens several times in the first half while also making a short trip to the disabled list with a sprained right knee. After posting a 5.03 ERA and 1.58 WHIP with seven homers allowed in 19.2 innings, Robles was designated for assignment in late June, then immediately claimed by the Angels. The move to the west coast agreed with Robles as be registered a 2.97 ERA and 1.29 WHIP in 36.1 frames for the Halos, serving up just a pair of long balls. Robles had another short stint on the disabled list in mid-August, this time for a shoulder impingement. He returned to cruise down the stretch, finishing with a 1.46 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 14 strikeouts in his final 12.1 stanzas. A 96-mph fastball and 24 K% are late-game worthy, but a 10.4 BB% and penchant for the long ball likely relegate Robles to middle-inning duties.

In a landscape where cheap middle relief is a Moneyball-like fantasy asset, Robles is someone to keep on your radar. Don't be swayed by his 4.92 ERA and 1.34 WHIP. He was sporting a 1.42 ERA and 1.05 WHIP before three straight blowups, surrendering 12 runs in just 2.2 frames, prompting a demotion to Triple-A Las Vegas. After he was recalled in mid-July, he posted a 2.38 ERA and 1.10 WHIP before struggling with fatigue in September. Obviously, the early disasters and scuffles down the stretch can't be ignored, but with another season under his belt, Robles should be better equipped for a more consistent 162-game season. The key is walks as Robles' 95-mph fastball misses plenty of bats, but he's a flyball pitcher and thus will give up a few homers. If he can limit shots with men on base, Robles can work in more high-leverage situations. Don't pay more than an endgame price, but there's some latent upside here.

Robles had an impressive rookie campaign in 2015, and he was able to avoid a sophomore slump last season. He continued to use his mid-90s fastball, along with a changeup and slider, to make batters miss to the tune of a 9.9 K/9. Of concern, is that he walked too many batters (4.2 BB/9) and saw his WHIP rise 32 points from 2015. Robles also endured a disastrous stretch in August in which he allowed 12 walks and 15 runs in 15 innings. He recovered from that with an impressive final month of the season, though, and outside of a few bad outings, there wasn't much to complain about. The righty was especially effective against lefties, holding them to a .179 BAA, though a .281 average against righties made for a reverse split. Robles appears in line to take on more high-leverage situations in 2017, although he remains behind Jeurys Familia and Addison Reed in the pecking order for saves.

Robles' first season as a full-time reliever was a resounding success. He was promoted to the majors after a handful of scoreless appearances for Triple-A Las Vegas and quickly entrusted with a high-leverage role. Armed with a mid-90s fastball and two potential plus secondary offerings (slider and changeup), Robles fanned major league hitters at a higher rate than closer Jeurys Familia. There were some issues when contact was made, as Robles gave up eight homers on the year, and he could stand to reduce the free passes, but the final numbers for a 25-year-old are great. The right-hander picked up 12 holds in total and five in September alone, and chances are he will continue to pitch in a prominent role out of the Mets' bullpen in 2016.