Pete Fairbanks

No stranger to the injury bug, Fairbanks hit the IL twice (forearm inflammation, hip inflammation) during the first half of 2023. However, once he returned in mid-June, he surprisingly stayed healthy for the rest of the season, establishing career-best marks in games played (49), innings (45.1) and strikeouts (68). He also converted a career-high 25 saves, as Rays manager Kevin Cash altered his late-inning approach. Quite simply, when Fairbanks was healthy, he was the Rays primary closer. The role was well deserved too, as the 29-year-old closed out 2023 in dominant fashion. He struck out 51 batters in 28 innings after the All-Star break and finished the year with a 2.58 ERA and 1.01 WHIP. He did so throwing more sliders (49.9% pitch usage) than ever, as he used to lean on his upper-90's 4-seamer as his primary offering. Fairbanks remains a solid mid-tier closer as long as you plan for some likely time missed due to injury.

Fairbanks got off to a late start in 2022 due to a torn lat muscle that he suffered during spring training. The injury required multiple months of rest and rehab, plus a PRP injection, thus delaying his season debut until mid-July. While his first two appearances did not go smoothly, he ripped off 22 consecutive scoreless outings to close out the season. During the streak, he had a remarkable 36:3 K:BB ratio over 22 innings, 0.55 WHIP and a career-high eight saves. Fairbanks has always been among the league leaders in average fastball velocity, but he surprisingly added even more zip on his 4-seamer. He averaged a career-best 99 mph on the pitch, a nearly 2 mph increase from prior seasons. If targeting saves within Tampa Bay's closer committee, Fairbanks clearly has the most upside, but keep in mind he has averaged just 28.5 innings per season for his career. Injuries have been a constant, but the sky is the limit if he can remain healthy throughout 2023.

Fairbanks experienced some early stumbles last year following a month-plus stay on the injured list in late summer due to a shoulder injury. However, he finished the season strong with seven consecutive scoreless appearances spanning 6.1 innings during which he allowed six hits and generated a 7:3 K:BB. The 28-year-old had five saves and 14 holds with a 3.59 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 56:21 K:BB over 42.2 innings last season and was in the mix for save opportunities in 2022. However, he suffered a torn lat muscle in spring training and will miss at least the first two months of the regular season.

Twelve different Tampa Bay relievers earned saves in the abbreviated 2020 season, yet Fairbanks was not one of them. Had he done so in the final weekend, the club would have broken the all-time record for most pitchers with a save in a single season. Fairbanks went on to earn three saves in the playoffs, tying with Diego Castillo for most on the team in the postseason (ahead of Nick Anderson's 1). Fairbanks and his twice-repaired elbow have struck out 31% of hitters over the past two seasons, and a cleaned-up delivery gave him a bit more consistency. There are still times when the command goes AWOL, leading to some sketchy outings involving free passes. Manager Kevin Cash sometimes uses him as the first stopper out of the bullpen to shut down rallies. When Fairbanks is on, he does it with the best of them. He is fastball command away from being an elite reliever, so investing now in a keeper league is wise.

Fairbanks missed all of 2018 while recovering from Tommy John surgery but sprinted through three minor-league levels last season and ended up pitching in 21 games between Texas and Tampa Bay, who traded for him in mid-July. Despite never advancing beyond high-A ball coming into the season, Fairbanks caught the attention of both clubs due to his elite strikeout potential. The right-hander's height (6-foot-6) and ability to broach triple-digits with his fastball make him an imposing presence on the mound. He pairs the fastball with an above-average slider, using the combination to post a 14.6 K/9 in the minors and 12.0 K/9 in the majors in 2019. Fairbanks struggled with his command in the big leagues (4.29 BB/9) but registered a more digestible 2.50 BB/9 in the minors. If he can harness that command and continue refining his game, Fairbanks could emerge as a late-inning option in the not-too-distant future.