Don’t Sleep on Cardinals’ Ryan Helsley
Every season, baseball fantasy owners spend hours searching through the waiver wire to locate hidden gems. Luckily for that crowd, there might be one quietly hiding in St. Louis.
The Cardinals, who currently sit 17-14 on the season, feature one of the most lethal relievers in the majors that almost no one knows about. Unless you’re a fan of this franchise, you’ve probably never heard of Ryan Helsley.
Well, that’s about to change.
A fifth-round selection from the 2015 MLB Draft, Helsley began his professional career as a starter but has since transitioned to the bullpen. That decision, which he fully committed to in 2019, cleared the way for his major league debut during that same season.
Across the next two campaigns, the 27-year-old battled with his command, recording a 4.70 ERA through 59.1 combined innings. Not the results he and the team were hoping for. But thanks to his efforts this off-season, he’s bounced back stronger than ever in ‘22.
This season, Helsley has been virtually untouchable as he’s allowed just one hit over 11.2 innings of work. Not to mention, he’s also yet to surrender a run or a walk thus far, earning him a -0.88 FIP.
Entering Friday’s action, the right-hander is one of just two qualified relievers (min. 9.0 innings) in the majors to have allowed zero runs or walks. The other is Kansas City Royals pitcher Gabe Speier.
As a result, Helsley currently carries the best WHIP (0.17) and OPP AVG (.029) among all qualified big-league relievers, according to FanGraphs.com. Oh, and he’s a strikeout-generating machine, too.
In eight appearances, the 6’2” hurler has faced 37 hitters and has struck out 21 of them, resulting in an eye-popping 57 percent strikeout rate. That’s the highest percentage in the majors among relievers.
Understandably, Helsley’s emergence has thrust him into a high-leverage role inside the Cardinals’ bullpen this season. There, he’s converted a trio of holds and one save through the first month of the campaign.
On the surface, these stellar results probably aren’t enough to prompt fantasy owners to immediately secure him off waivers. And rightly so. That being said, his role is only likely to grow down the road, especially if closer Giovanny Gallegos continues to struggle.
Despite enjoying four straight scoreless outings, Gallegos has largely struggled throughout 2022, as he’s registered a 3.75 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP with one blown save across 12.0 innings pitched.
What’s even concerning is that the 30-year-old’s strikeout rate has plummeted dramatically out of the gate, falling to a career-low level. Last season, his strikeout rate finished at 30.6 per cent – the second-highest percentage of his career.
Unless those strikeout totals suddenly return, it could mean fewer save opportunities for Gallegos and potentially more for Helsley in the future. Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol could also turn to fellow reliever Génesis Cabrera if necessary.
At the moment, Helsley remains up for grabs in most fantasy leagues, courtesy of his 16.8 per cent rostered percentage in ESPN leagues. Granted, that figure has increased by 6.5 per cent over the last seven days.
Helsley’s stock is rising higher with each passing day. With that in mind, now might be the ideal time to snag him off waivers before someone else beats you to it.
The Tahlequah, Oklahoma, native probably won’t help you win in fantasy this week or next, but he’s definitely worth stashing on your roster. If an opportunity to take over as St. Louis’ closer arises, he could remain in that position for the foreseeable future.
One of the biggest factors that has led to Helsley’s dominance this season has been his electric fastball, which averages 99.2 m.p.h. and can easily touch triple digits. His 103.1mph heater remains the fastest pitch thrown in ‘22.
Given these factors, it’s not surprising to note that the righty’s fastball velocity ranks in the 100th percentile of the majors, according to BaseballSavant.com. It also possesses an exceptional spin rate (2,592 RPMs), as well, placing in the 98th percentile.
Nobody’s been able to catch up to his primary weapon so far. Early on, Helsley’s four-seamer has generated 11 strikeouts, and has yet to allow a hit through 16 plate appearances.
Paired with his heater, the former Northeastern State product’s arsenal also includes a high-80s slider. While he surrendered a double, it’s proven to be just as effective as his fastball at registering strikeouts, sitting with eight on the season.
Helsley also features a low-80s curveball, however, he’s only utilizing it 11.7 per cent of the time this season. Still, it acted as a fairly decent third offering against both left-handed and right-handed batters.
Altogether, Helsley has the makings of transforming into an all-star pitcher someday. His stuff certainly plays at this level. Now, he just requires a larger stage to showcase himself.
If the Cardinals qualify for the playoffs in ‘22, that opportunity will surely take place in October. Though, his breakout party could come much sooner than that if everything falls into place.
From a fantasy perspective, particularly for those in dynasty formats, everyone should be taking notice of Helsley’s stock.
-Thomas Hall
Twitter: @ThomasHall85