Louis Varland

Active

Toronto Blue Jays · Pitcher

Age 286' 1" · 205 lbsThrows Right

FBaseball Overview

Varland emerges as a relief arm with legitimate high-leverage upside after a stellar 2026 campaign that saw him rack up 17 saves while maintaining an elite 0.98 ERA and 0.96 WHIP across 46 innings. His strikeout rate remains respectable with 64 K, providing counting-stat appeal in deeper leagues, though the 3-3 record limits win opportunities from his bullpen role. The sharp improvement in ERA and WHIP from his 2025 numbers (2.97 ERA, 1.20 WHIP) suggests Varland has made a meaningful adjustment as he enters his prime years, making him an intriguing late-round target for managers seeking saves depth. The primary risk lies in bullpen volatility and usage patterns, but his current performance trajectory positions him as a potential closer-in-waiting with fantasy value across multiple categories.

News Updates

Louis Varland earns 18th save for Blue Jays
Toronto closer Louis Varland converted his 18th save of the season, pitching a scoreless inning with one strikeout in the Blue Jays' 2-0 shutout win over Seattle. Varland continues to be reliable in the ninth inning for fantasy purposes.
Jul 4, 2026

MLB Pitching

Year	Team	G	GS	W	L	SV	ERA	WHIP	K	IP	BB
2022	Minnesota Twins	5	5	1	2	0	3.81	1.23	21	26.0	6
2023	Minnesota Twins	17	10	4	3	0	4.63	1.22	71	68.0	17
2024	Minnesota Twins	16	7	0	6	0	7.61	1.69	49	49.2	16
2025	2 teams▼	74	1	4	3	0	2.97	1.20	75	72.2	22
2026	Toronto Blue Jays	42	0	3	3	18	0.96	0.96	65	47.0	13
Career	Totals	154	23	12	17	18	4.00	1.26	281	263.1	74

Source: MLB Stats API · Multi-team seasons show combined totals — click to expand

Minor League Pitching

Year	Team	G	GS	W	L	ERA	WHIP	K	IP	BB
2021	2 teams▼	20	18	10	4	2.10	1.09	142	103	30
2022	2 teams▼	24	23	8	5	3.06	1.26	146	126.1	42
2023	St. Paul Saints	16	15	7	1	3.97	1.35	88	81.2	26
2024	St. Paul Saints	17	16	5	8	4.75	1.39	96	83.1	32
Career	Totals	77	72	30	18	3.36	1.26	472	394.1	130

Source: MLB Stats API · Multi-team seasons show combined totals — click to expand

Game Log2026 season

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Analytics2026 season · via Baseball Savant

Click for year to year changes

FB Velo98.4 mph

Avg Spin2259 rpm

Whiff %29.2%

K %35.9%

BB %7.2%

Hard Hit %35.9%

Barrel %2.9%

xERA1.99

xBA Against0.184

xSLG Against0.245

BA Against0.192

SLG Against0.240

GB%56.3%

FB%19.4%

What These Stats Mean

FB Velo — Average fastball velocity. Harder throwers generate more swings and misses, setting up every other pitch in their arsenal. Velocity is the foundation of strikeout upside.

Avg Spin — Average spin rate across all pitches. Higher spin creates more movement and makes pitches harder to square up — elite spinners run better strikeout and batting average against numbers.

Whiff % — Swings-and-misses per swing. The most direct measure of a pitcher's ability to miss bats and the best leading indicator of strikeout rate.

K % — Strikeout rate per batter faced. The core fantasy pitching stat — high K% means reliable strikeout totals that hold up even in shorter starts.

BB % — Walk rate per batter faced. The primary control metric. High BB% tanks ERA and WHIP and keeps baserunners on constantly. Elite starters typically run below 7%.

Hard Hit % — Percentage of batted balls hit 95 mph or harder against. Low hard-hit% means weak contact, protecting both ERA and the defense behind the pitcher.

Barrel % — Percentage of batted balls barreled against. The most direct home run predictor — low barrel% pitchers rarely give up long balls.

xERA — Expected ERA based on contact quality allowed, removing the effect of sequencing, luck, and defense. Better predictor of future ERA than ERA itself.

xBA Against — Expected batting average opponents should hit based on contact quality. A gap between xBA and actual BA indicates unsustainable luck in either direction.

xSLG Against — Expected slugging allowed based on contact quality. High xSLG against predicts future extra-base damage; low xSLG means the pitcher is genuinely suppressing power.

BA Against — Actual batting average opponents are hitting — a key WHIP component. Check xBA to see if the number is sustainable.

SLG Against — Actual slugging allowed. Captures hits, doubles, triples, and home runs — lower means the pitcher is limiting the power damage he gives up.

GB% — Ground ball rate. High GB% pitchers generate double plays, limit home runs, and keep the ball in the park — great for protecting ERA and WHIP ratios.

FB% — Fly ball rate. High FB% pitchers give up more air contact — dangerous when combined with high exit velocity, less so when contact is soft.

Loading player data...

Year

Team

ERA

WHIP

2022

Minnesota Twins

3.81

1.23

26.0

2023

Minnesota Twins

4.63

1.22

68.0

2024

Minnesota Twins

7.61

1.69

49.2

2025

2 teams▼

2.97

1.20

72.2

2026

Toronto Blue Jays

0.96

47.0

Career

Totals

154

4.00

1.26

281

263.1

Year

Team

ERA

WHIP

2021

2 teams▼

2.10

1.09

142

103

2022

2 teams▼

3.06

1.26

146

126.1

2023

St. Paul Saints

3.97

1.35

81.2

2024

St. Paul Saints

4.75

1.39

83.1

Career

Totals

3.36

1.26

472

394.1

130