Without question, it can safely be said that no player has experienced an epic fall from grace quite like Josh Hader. In any sport. At the start of the season, he was ranked as the best closer in the game. He was drafted as such in fantasy baseball circles, especially those that place emphasis on the save. The honeymoon period lasted for much of the first half. However, it was clear the romance was in trouble in July. As it turns out, with the calendar ready to turn to September, Hader is not even on the same team. Not only that, but he has gone from un droppable in ESPN leagues to the absolute cellar of the waiver wire. This fantasy baseball Josh Hader edition chronicles this stunning fall from grace from elite closer to no man’s land at record speed.

The First Three Months: Top of the Closer Mountain

Honestly, this season began on cloud nine for yours truly. Drafting in the fifth round, Josh Hader was available and was selected. The thought process was that he is the best player at his position. Further, he would provide high fantasy production several days a week. As it turned out, that was exactly what happened into the third month of the season. In fact, Hader led the league in saves and didn’t allow a single run until June 7th.

The first cracks in his armor were exposed that day. He was tagged by two homers from the Phillies. The result was his first loss and blown save of the 2021 season. Of course, such events happen to every closer, no matter how great. Hader rebounded well from that result. From that day until July 4th, he allowed a grand total of one earned run and recorded a save in each of his next seven opportunities. He was named to the All-Star team and deservedly so. At the time, who could have thought he would be the subject of this fantasy baseball Josh Hader edition?

July- The Slide Begins

Normally, Independence Day is a day to celebrate for all Americans, ballplayers included. However, the holiday was the beginning of Hader’s free fall, as he gave up a solo home run to the Cubs. That game began a stretch in which Hader allowed runs in five of his next six appearances. The July 12th game against the Twins saw Hader give up two hits and a walk, including a home run without getting an out.

However, it was the next outing against San Francisco that the wheels truly fell off. Hader was lit up by the Giants to the tune of six earned runs on five hits, including three homers while only getting one out. The result was another loss and blown save. The prevailing thought at the time was that he was distracted by his home life, including a newborn baby. Hader skipped the All-Star Game, and everything was expected to go back to normal. Indeed, that seemed to be the case as Hader gave up a single run the remainder of July.

August- After a surprising trade, the slide becomes a sprint to a bottomless pit

Just before the trade deadline, Milwaukee stunned the baseball world by sending Hader in a package deal to the San Diego Padres. In hindsight, the move was a home run for the Brewers. Even so, they couldn’t have envisioned the absolute implosion that Hader has endured on the West Coast. In his first two appearances in San Diego, Hader won a game and didn’t allow a run. Since then, though, the rug has been completely pulled out from underneath him.

Once again, the Giants were the team that first tormented Hader. He got just two outs while giving up a hit, walking three and hitting a batter. Another blown save, his third of the season, was assigned to him. Ten days later, the lowly Washington Nationals, the team with baseball’s worse record, shoved Hader further down the darkening hole. He failed to get an out, allowing three runs on two hits, including a home run and a walk. Not surprisingly, he had another loss hung on him, his fifth.

As bad as the above is, Hader actually accomplished a new low Sunday against the Royals. Just like Washington, Kansas City is one of the terrible teams in baseball this season. San Diego had already removed Hader from the closer’s role. They brought him in without any pressure as the Padres were already down big. Unfortunately, the low intensity situation didn’t help. Hader turned the game into a slaughter, allowing an unbelievable six runs on five hits, with two walks and getting just one out. Hader was now so far down the hole that no one without high tech equipment could possibly locate him.

 The Fantasy Bottom Line- Cut Hader and let him continue his slide on his own

As noted above, Hader is no longer the closer for San Diego. It is unknown just how the Padres intend to use him or how they can help him get out of this unprecedented funk. Until a few weeks ago, ESPN had Hader listed as a player that fantasy managers could not drop. However, they came to their senses and took that designation away from him. Seeing as how Hader’s ERA with the Padres is over 23, those that have him on their rosters shouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth and set him loose.

Most especially, that is true for anyone battling for a playoff spot. No player, even one as talented as Hader, can be allowed to derail a postseason bid. Managers with a playoff berth locked in should also give Hader a wide pass as well. Simply stated, at present, Hader is completely toxic to fantasy teams in every conceivable way. Possibly, that could change. Until the sun is fully shining on Hader once again, leave him where he is buried.

The Final Word

Thank you for joining me for this fantasy baseball Josh Hader edition! As always, I welcome any and all suggestions, comments and input from my readers. Let’s discuss! Follow me on twitter @kevin62wilsea. Please feel free to share this article. Check out the latest Belly Up Fantasy Live Baseball Show available here on Spreaker. Tune in for the show every Sunday night at 8 PM EST. Be sure to turn to Belly Up Sports and Belly Up Fantasy Sports for all the MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL happenings and the latest sports news!