![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-20.png\")
Photo Credit: Associated Press<\/p>\nOne week in, and things are a mess. Throughout draft season, there were a lot of situations that we truly weren\u2019t confident in. And now that we have two series of games under our belts, nothing is any easier.<\/p>\n
While we might not like it, there are a few situations where we have clarity that we don\u2019t want. What was held as a common assumption during draft season hasn\u2019t exactly borne out. Considering the season is still so new, I\u2019m not sure we can fairly blame the MLB teams for this. Or should I say, blame them in full. As draft season progresses, especially in higher-stakes leagues, the prices on closers continue to rise. The pressure to obtain saves doesn\u2019t get any less, and the principles of supply and demand are very much in play. However, figuring out where that supply comes from isn\u2019t exactly easy, and it often changes quickly.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s take a look at some of the bullpens that require our attention to begin the season.<\/p>\n
Tampa Bay RaysPhoto Credit: Associated Press<\/p>\n
If we are going to go with the best reliever on the roster, that\u2019s likely Edwin Uceta<\/a>, who\u2019s currently on the Injured List. Griffin Jax<\/a> was acquired midway through last season by the Rays as they looked to add a high-leverage arm to their bullpen. In 2024, Jax saved 10 games and had a track record of success with the Minnesota Twins. Given his name recognition and Uceta’s injury, the thought was that Jax would be Tampa Bay’s main closer this season. He was drafted as such this winter, but things haven\u2019t gone according to plan.<\/p>\n Last season, Jax didn\u2019t have any saves, but Pete Fairbanks<\/a> was in place as the main ninth-inning arm. However, despite Fairbanks generally leading Tampa Bay in saves when he was healthy and pitching well, the Rays are generally a team that doesn\u2019t show blanket loyalty to one arm in the ninth inning.<\/p>\n From the start of the season, that trend continued when it came to Jax\u2019s usage. The problem now, though, is that he has not been good to start the season. After allowing five runs, three earned, without getting an out on Wednesday, Jax\u2019s ERA sits at 22.50. With just two innings of work, over four games, the sample size is small. For that reason, I\u2019m focusing more on the usage patterns than just the results.<\/p>\n Things haven\u2019t been much better for Garrett Cleavinger<\/a>, but the fact that he\u2019s Tampa Bay\u2019s top left-handed arm also takes him out of regular closing opportunities. That brings us to Bryan Baker<\/a>, who has pitched two scoreless innings to begin the season. Of course, it\u2019s Kevin Kelly<\/a> who has the one Tampa Bay save so far this season, which only makes things more confusing. At this point, I\u2019d focus on Baker as my source for saves in Tampa Bay, but there\u2019s not enough here to warrant a large investment.<\/p>\n Sign up for Prospects Live<\/p>\n Your one stop shop for Dynasty Fantasy Baseball, MLB Draft, Baseball Card & MiLB Baseball content. Blending Data & Scouting into our Player Evaluation<\/p>\n No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.<\/p>\n \t\tThis post is for paying subscribers only<\/p>\n Become a subscriber now and gain access to articles, tools, and stay updated with Prospects Live.<\/p>\n