Impact Analysis: Brian Fuentes, Colorado Rockies

April 29, 2008 @ 08:29:29

By Bryce McRae
Edited by Tim Heaney

Entering the 2008 season, Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Manny Corpas was viewed as one of the bargain closers in fantasy drafts. The 25-year-old had some risk because this was scheduled to be his first full year as a closer; however, in the second half last year he was lights out, converting 18 of 19 save opportunities. His ERA over the second half, not including the postseason, was a sparkling 1.46. Corpas' youth and an improving Rockies team fresh off the World Series gave fantasy owners good reason to believe in him this year.

Things haven't gone as planned for the Rockies this year, Corpas included. Perhaps it is the dreaded World Series hangover. They are off to a 10-16 start with Corpas' four blown saves a large part of that. His slow start has forced manager Clint Hurdle's hand. He named a new closer for the second time in as many seasons, removing Corpas from the closer's job Wednesday, April 24, in favor of three-time All-Star Brian Fuentes, the team's opening day closer last season.

Shuffling the deck

Corpas started the year well enough with three saves in his first four chances. However, he then blew three saves in one week to three different teams, resulting in the switch to Fuentes. A loss of velocity led to Corpas' undoing; he has done a good job keeping the ball down, but he is leaving the ball over the plate too often. He doesn't have the speed on his pitches to blow by hitters that some closers do.

If the team is looking for a reason, it might look at Corpas' winter regimen. According to Hurdle, Corpas did not pitch winter ball for the first time in his career and might not be as "well-oiled" as he was near the end of late season. Last year was the only other time he has pitched in the first half; overall he was solid, but he struggled in May with a 5.11 ERA and 1.62 WHIP.

Fuentes, on the other hand, has excelled in a setup role this year. He started the season with nine straight scoreless appearances (nine innings) before giving up his first runs of the season in a blown save Thursday, April 20. Since then he made three more appearances (2 1/3 innings) without allowing a run.

Another reason for the switch is Fuentes' experience. Of the relievers in the Rockies bullpen, Fuentes has the most career saves (86). In fact, he has been named to the All-Star team three times, including last year.

Fuentes started last season as the team's stopper and was cruising through May last year before posting four straight unsuccessful save chances, prompting Hurdle to give Corpas the job. He had posted an ERA of 0.73 and 0.89 WHIP over 12 1/3 innings in May; however, his combined ERA over June and July was 7.43. Combined with a stint on the disabled list with a lat injury, he failed to reclaim the closer's job in '07 as Corpas went on the aforementioned save binge and locked up the job to start this season.

The Rockies pitching staff on the whole has been disappointing this year. They ranked 14th in the majors in ERA last year, a surprising development since they play their home games at the hitter-friendly Coors Field. This year they are ranked 27th in the league with an ERA of 4.67.

The road from here

"I think what you need to do is what's best for the club and that's to give the ball to Brian right now, get the heat off Manny and give him an opportunity to work his way out."

That was Hurdle's evaluation of the situation when he made the move. In his first appearance, Fuentes earned the save Thursday, April 24, so it has paid immediate dividends for the club. However, it seems that the Rockies can't get win a game; his April 24 save was their only win in their last nine games. Since then he has not had any save chances.

Fuentes will be the main guy for the near future and could hold onto the job as long as he pitches well. According to the team's official site, Hurdle has not said whether this move will be permanent.

Corpas will be used as a setup man, provided he shows improvement. Already he has struggled in one of his appearances, giving up one run over 1 1/3 innings Sunday, April 27. He was tagged with his second loss of the season. The most worrying sign for owners is his control did not improve in a situation with less pressure. He gave up two hits and three walks in the loss; he will have to do better than that if he wants to win the job back.

Fantasy outlook

Fuentes' value spikes with this change. He is not a solid No. 1 fantasy reliever like he might have been entering 2007; however, he could be a low-end No. 2 guy. His strikeout rate (7.50 per nine innings) is better than Corpas' number (3.77). The Rockies are currently in the top half of the league in save chances (11) so the opportunities are there if you have him. Grab him immediately if he's available, especially if you're lacking depth at the closer spot.

Corpas owners should not be too hasty in dropping him. Hurdle has seemingly been ready to "shuffle the deck" in the bullpen if the back end situation becomes dicey; this might not be the last we hear from this situation this season. Corpas' numbers last year suggest he could be a stronger play down the stretch. Only consider dropping him in shallow mixed leagues if you have another closer to replace him. If another owner has dropped him, look at picking him up to stash if you have the room.

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Bryce McRae
Bryce McRae is a Managing Editor with KFFL and has been involved in fantasy sports since 1999. He joined KFFL as a volunteer writer in March 2005 before becoming a Hot off the Wire Analyst in March 2006. He began working in his current capacity in September 2008. His work has appeared on fantasy sports sites such as Yahoo! and CBS Sportsline as well as in print. He graduated from the University of British Columbia in 2008 with a B.A. in History and U.S. Studies.

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