Chris Welsh believes the month of May belongs to Shelby Miller for saves. The right-hander’s four-seam fastball carries a 27 % K-rate and his new split-finger is missing bats at a 35 % clip, giving him classic closer stuff. Arizona has used Kevin Ginkel exclusively as the setup man, and neither Justin Martinez nor A.J. Puk is expected back before June. Welsh projects Miller to receive the bulk of save chances over the next 3–4 weeks and recommends aggressive bids in any league where he’s still under his current 29 % rostership.

Erik Halterman advised speculating on Shelby Miller—and to a lesser extent Kevin Ginkel or Ryan Thompson—as the Diamondbacks sort out the ninth inning. With AJ Puk (elbow) on the 60-day IL and Justin Martinez joining him after a velocity dip, Miller and Thompson have split the last two saves. Halterman prefers Miller, citing 13.2 scoreless innings, a 0.59 WHIP, 30 % strikeout rate, 8 % walk rate, and a velocity bump of roughly 1 mph compared to 2023. Two years ago Miller logged a 1.71 ERA and 0.90 WHIP with the Dodgers, showing the upside is real. Halterman expects Miller to lead—if not outright seize—the committee and provide cheap saves.

Chris Welsh said fantasy gamers should prioritize picking up Shelby Miller because he expects the veteran right-hander to act as the Diamondbacks’ primary closer for at least the next month. Welsh walked listeners through Wednesday’s usage pattern: with the entire bullpen healthy, Arizona went Kevin Ginkel in the seventh, Miller in the ninth, and Justin Martinez is now on the IL. Miller’s four-seam velocity is up, opponents have just one hard contact "blip" against him all season, and he cleaned up Ginkel’s mess after Ginkel surrendered a Juan Soto homer. Welsh believes manager Torey Lovullo now sees Ginkel as his fire-man while Miller handles traditional save chances. He compared Miller’s FAAB cost to what managers spent on Luke Weaver or Cade Smith earlier in the year, noting he would still rank Weaver higher only because New York has already committed to the Yankee righty. Bottom line: if you need saves, bid aggressively on Miller before the role is fully cemented.

Welsh called Shelby Miller a sneaky add for managers already rostering Kevin Ginkel or simply speculating on high-leverage arms. Miller’s cutter/sinker mix is generating a 31% whiff rate and opponents are hitting just .154 against his fastball, the best mark of his career. He has allowed one earned run over his last 14 appearances and owns a 55% ground-ball rate that the club loves in Chase Field. Welsh admitted the name value is scary but emphasized that Lovullo used Miller in the eighth inning of consecutive one-run games, showing real trust. If Ginkel stumbles or is overworked, Miller is next in line, making him an ideal bench stash in 15-team roto and an automatic handcuff for Ginkel managers.