2013 Fantasy Baseball: Mid-April Closer Rankings
Don’t pay for saves. It’s something that’s been ingrained in the heads of fantasy baseball, and while it is true to a point, there are times when it pays off.
Saves are one of the most frustrating stats to accumulate in fantasy, mostly because there are so few players that get them. The “don’t pay for saves” motto is true in some cases, as taking the three top closers in the top 10 rounds will kill your overall squad. Where it hurts, however, is when owners decide that they can wait until very late to grab closers, then they miss out and end up chasing saves the entire season.
The key to being at the top of the saves category in your roto league while not suffering in other areas is to simply be smart: don’t overdraft closers, but don’t ignore them either. Craig Kimbrel is far and away the best closer in the game and has pitched that way so far (six saves, 0.00 ERA, 0.60 WHIP), but if you spent your fourth or fifth round pick on him, there’s no need to take Rafael Soriano or Jonathan Papelbon a few rounds later. If you have Kimbrel, waiting a while longer to grab someone like Jason Grilli (5 saves, 0.00 ERA) absolutely would have paid off.
On the other hand, if you miss out on one of the top 10 closers, it’s time to take action. Those who thought they could ignore saves until late and just grab cheap options such as Carlos Marmol, Steve Cishek and Jose Veras are weeping right now. Marmol lost the closers role immediately, Veras has blown his one save chance and has a 7.94 ERA and Cishek also has zero saves and an ERA north of six.
So far in 2013, some of the big-name closers have absolutely lived up to their billing. Aside from Kimbrel, Sergio Romo has already gotten fantasy owners seven saves with 12 Ks and a miniscule ERA. Soriano has given up some runs but has already notched five saves while Mariano Rivera is back to his old tricks.
Those who focused on drafting a few mid-tier closers have been thrilled with the results thus far. Along with Grilli, Rafael Betancourt is 5-for-5 in save chances, Glen Perkins is perfect in three chances and Addison Reed is perfect in five as well.
It’s only April and plenty can change over the course of the season, but here are the top 10 closers right now. If you own any of these guys, chances are you’re sitting pretty with saves in your league.
Rich Arleo is a fantasy sports expert with Rant Sports. Be sure to follow him on Twitter, 'like' him on Facebook and add him to your networks on Google.
10. Tom Wilhelmsen
‘The Bartender’ has been serving up nothing but saves for fantasy owners so far this season. He is a perfect 5-for-5 and has given up just one earned run and two hits in seven innings pitched. He has picked up where he left off last season and should be fine moving forward.
9. Addison Reed
Here’s another guy who took over as closer last year and hasn’t skipped a beat in 2013. He’s converted all five save chances and even picked up a win. At 24, he may even get better.
8. Joe Nathan
After a rough 2011, Nathan had a surprising bounce-back last year with the Texas Rangers and at 38 hasn’t skipped a beat this year with five saves and a 1.42 ERA in seven appearances.
7. Rafael Betancourt
The Colorado Rockies are off to a hot start and their closer has taken advantage. He has given up only two hits in 7.1 innings, has struck out five and converted all five save opportunities.
6. Jason Grilli
The 36-year-old Grilli has had a career renaissance the past few years and after a great season as the setup man in 2012 he has taken to the closer’s role well. In seven games he’s notched five saves, struck out eight and allowed just three hits in six innings.
5. Mariano Rivera
Rivera is coming off a torn ACL and entering his 19th season at the age of 43 on an injury riddled New York Yankees team…so naturally he hasn't skipped a beat. The Yankees are winning and his cutter is cutting so he is once again saving games; a perfect 4-for-4 so far.
4. Sergio Romo
After a breakout 2012 as the closer, Romo has been red-hot to start this season with an impressive 12 strikeouts in 7.1 innings while notching seven saves in eight chances. He allowed just two base runners while saving his first six straight to start the year.
3. Jim Johnson
Stull underrated after two great years and a 51-save season in 2012, the Baltimore Orioles are legit and so is he. Johnson hasn’t allowed an earned run in seven innings while recording seven saves.
2. Aroldis Chapman
Despite rumblings that he would be moved to the rotation, Chapman is closing and dominating once again. He has just three save chances but has converted them all while striking out 13 in 7.1 innings already.
1. Craig Kimbrel
You can be disappointed with his “measly” seven strikeouts in 6.2 innings if you’re picky, but Kimbrel has allowed only four base runners and has yet to give up a run with six saves already. Paying for Kimbrel has paid off and will continue to all season.
