Years after unearthing Edwin Diaz on the Waiver Wire, the Lake Merced Goutfish Front Office hit another home run with their 2022 scoop up of Felix Bautista. After a dominant Rookie campaign last season, Bautista spent all of 2023 in the Closer role for the American League East Champions, notching 33 saves with a 1.48 ERA en route to the 2023 RDBL Reliever of the Year Award.
Bautista paced all relievers with 338.0 points in the RDBL Regular Season before leaving his August 25th save chance after throwing a 102.3 mph fastball. While he attempted to work his way back to the mound in September, the Orioles announced last week that Bautista will need Tommy John Surgery and miss the remainder of 2023 and all of 2024.
Having already expressed interest in a reunion, the Goutfish are a likely candidate to bring Bautista back on an end of Auction deal while he rehabs. The right-hander owns a career 1.85 ERA and 0.93 WHIP over 121 appearances, making his long-term investment certainly worth the risk for any club in 2024.
Bautista joins Emmanuel Clase (2022), Mark Melancon (2021), Kirby Yates (2019), Edwin Diaz (2018), Kenley Jansen (2017), Zach Britton (2016), Juerys Familia (2015), Zach Britton (2014) and Craig Kimbrel (2013) as winners of the Award.
Devin Williams (Ducks), Alexis Diaz (Hops) and Josh Hader (Fringe) were also considered for the Award after stellar 2023 campaigns.
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