Stefan

Crichton

Crichton was in camp this spring with the Diamondbacks as a non-roster invitee after missing the majority of last season due to injury. The 30-year-old righty last appeared in the majors during the 2021 campaign and finishes with nine career saves to go along with a solid 4.79 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 81/33 K/BB ratio across 92 innings (93 appearances) since 2017.

The 30-year-old hurler missed the majority of the 2022 season due to injury, logging just 3 1/3 innings at Triple-A Reno. He was a core member of the Diamondbacks’ bullpen from 2019-2021 though, even picking up nine saves during that stretch. He’s entering camp fully healthy and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him crack the Opening Day roster with a strong showing in Cactus League action.

Crichton returned to the majors last week but was knocked around for four runs in two appearances to earn a trip back to Reno.

Crichton, who began the season as the favorite for saves in the Diamondbacks bullpen, was ultimately designated for assignment in June after posting a horrifying 6.04 ERA and 1.84 WHIP over 22 1/3 innings. With Joakim Soria out of the picture now though, he has a chance to work his way back into the late-inning mix if he pitches well.

Crichton got a good number of save opportunities in the early part of this season, but he now hits the waiver wire having registered a 6.04 ERA, 1.84 WHIP, and 15/12 K/BB ratio over 22 1/3 total innings for Arizona. The 29-year-old could draw some interest from other clubs as a second-half rebound candidate.

Crichton entered the game in a non-save situation with the score tied at three runs apiece. On his third pitch of the outing, Trevor Story hit a no-doubter to center field to win the game for the Rockies. Crichton has not been able to repeat the success he had in 2020, with a 6.23 ERA, 1.85 WHIP, and four saves so far this season. It would not come as a surprise if Joakim Soria takes over as the ninth inning man in the coming weeks.

Crichton struck out one while not allowing a hit, although Sandy Leon did take a ball for a ride that ended up in the glove of Pavin Smith to end the contest that just missed being a homer. It’s the fourth save of the season for the former TCU hurler, and he lows his ERA to 3.97 while procuring it. It’s also the first save for Crichton since April 29, but that has everything to do with circumstance rather than his position as the closer.

Soria is finally ready to return to the Arizona bullpen after missing four weeks with a left calf strain. He could work into the closer mix with Stefan Crichton for a D-backs team that has played surprisingly well as of late.

The Diamondbacks haven’t had a save situation in over a week, so getting a read on their closer situation has been extremely challenging. However, Crichton appears to have a firm grasp on the role moving forward. He got C.J. Cron to ground out to first base and Charlie Blackmon to fly out to left field before giving up a single to Yonathan Daza. He bounced back to strike out Matt Adams on three pitches to end the contest. The 29-year-old righty owns a 5.00 ERA, 1.77 WHIP and 8/4 K/BB ratio over nine innings. He’s worthy of a roster spot for fantasy managers in deeper mixed leagues.

That was quick. Crichton was hit in the hand with a comebacker and had to leave Thursday’s appearance against the Reds, but the imagining has reportedly shown no structural damage. Consider Crichton day-to-day for now, but it does appear he’s avoided a serious injury.