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This week the Houston Astros traded RP Jose Veras to the Detroit Tigers and the move left the team without an experienced closer. Even more concerning is the hole that the trade left at the bottom of fantasy baseball lineups across the country.
RP Jose Cisnero appears to be the first pitcher to get a crack as the team’s closer, but Travis Blackley and Chia-Jen Lo could also earn some work in the ninth inning with the departure of Veras. Additionally, left-hander, Wesley Wright, could gain consideration against lefties down the stretch for the Stros. However, Cisnero has the best stuff to transition into the closer role and he is the reliever worth adding in deeper fantasy formats.
In 42.1 innings of work this season, Cisnero has a 3.40 ERA and 1.49 WHIP. Those numbers are somewhat inflated though due to an ugly eight-run debacle at the beginning of the season. The Dominican prospect is striking out an impressive 8.72 batters per nine innings of work and is holding opposing hitters to a mere .264 batting average.
Cisnero will be a great closer to grab off the waiver wire in NL only leagues or any league with more than 12 owners. The 24-year-old won’t be an All-Star closer by any means, but he will certainly outperform any middle-releiver currently sitting on the wire.
Adam McGill is the Senior Fantasy Sports Writer at Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @adammcgill83, like him on Facebook, or add him to you networks on Google here or here.
