By Jim Ingram
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff
Today we will finish our top 20 fantasy analysis by looking into the relief pitcher position. T0 be more specific, we'll be talking about closers and what they can, or can not, do for your fantasy team. I love closers. I love their mentality, I love their passion, and I love their personalities. That doesn't alwasy translate into fantasy importance. In my own drafts, I try to wait as long as possible, and draft other positions knowing I can pick up saves later in the draft.
As the season goes on you can always pick up saves due to a closer losing his job or through an injury. Is seems like 2 to 3 new closer candidates emerge every year, so don't be to concerned if you leave your draft without too many closers. Take last year for instance. Jonathon Broxton took over for an injured Takashi Saito. Matt Capps and Joel Hanrahan emerged from a slew of candidates on each team to take the closer role. Most people had probably never heard of either Capps or Hanrahan. This year, all three names are in my top 20.
Cream of the Crop
Jonathon Papelbon has developed into the best closer in the game. He may not have lead the majors in saves, but his 41 saves, 77 K's, 2.34 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 9.63 K/BB ratio and 10.00 K/9 innings make him the composite overall choice. Joe Nathan and Mariano Rivera don't offer much, if any drop off from Papelbon. Both closers had sub 1.50 era's (1.33 for Nathan, 1.40 for Rivera) and had 39 saves a piece. Rivera had an amazing WHIP of .67 last season with a K/BB ratio of 12.83. Nathan's WHIP was .90, but his K/BB ratio was only 4.11. The only reason I have Rivera slightly behind Nathan in my rankings is due to age. You never quite know when he'll breakdown. Will it be this year? I am not sure, but I'd rather take the known quantity in Nathan over any inherent risk in Rivera. Either way, you'll be drafting yourself a great fantasy closer.
The Next Level
If you draft any of the next three guys, you'll be still be getting a very good closer to lead your staff. Joakin Soria, Francisco Rodriguez and Brad Lidge all had great years last year. Remember that you can't expect Krod to put that many saves up again. That was a fluke year in my opinion. I would also not expect Brad Lidge to go perfect again.
Solid Late Pickups
Joel Hanrahan, Matt Capps, Trevor Hoffman and Brian Wilson should all be available after the first 13-14 rounds. Each one will give you around 30 saves and allow you to draft more important positions first.
Outside the top 20
Once the top closers are gone, it's time to look at set up men and potential closers. Fernando Rodney and Brandon Lyon are both vying for the Detroit closers job. Make sure to keep your eyes on Kevin Gregg, Jose Arredondo, Brad Ziegler, Chris Ray, J.P. Howell, Mike Adams, Cory Wade, and former fantasy stud J.J. Putz. All these pitchers will get save opportunities this year and could emerge as the guy.
Top 20 Relief Pitchers
1. Jonathon Papelbon (BOS)
2. Joe Nathan (MIN)
3. Mariano Rivera (NYY)
4. Joakim Soria (KC)
5. Brad Lidge (PHI)
6. Francisco Rodriguez (NYM)
7. Jose Valverde (HOU)
8. BJ Ryan (TOR)
9. Carlos Marmol (CHI)
10. Bobby Jenks (CWS)
11. Jonathon Broxton (LAD)
12. Kerry Wood (CLE)
13. Brian Fuentes (ANA)
14. Francisco Cordero (CIN)
15. Brian Wilson (SF)
16. Trevor Hoffman (MIL)
17. Joel Hanrahan (WAS)
18. Matt Capps (PIT)
19. Heath Bell (SD)
20. Frank Francisco (TEX)
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