Relief pitchers are an important part of every fantasy baseball team. Closers are by far the most valuable relief pitchers due to saves being the most valued statistic in fantasy leagues in terms of relievers. This list highlights the top 10 relief pitchers for the 2013 MLB season.
#10. Kenley Jansen – Los Angeles Dodgers Closer
Kenley Jansen is very high on most fantasy closer lists, but I am not completely sold on him yet although I do have him breaking into my top ten. Jansen had 25 saves but seven blown saves and was inconsistent at times. He did finish with 99 strikeouts and an admirable ERA of 2.35. I would probably allow other fantasy owners in your league to draft him first, but if he slips a little in your draft, he would make a good 2nd or 3rd reliever for your fantasy team.
#9. Sergio Romo – San Francisco Giants Setup Reliever
Sergio Romo is a very valuable relief pitcher even though he is not the San Francisco Giants primary closer, Brian Wilson is. Due to injuries, Romo saved 14 games in 15 opportunities and also contributed 23 holds as the setup reliever. With a 1.79 ERA and 63 strikeouts, even if Romo is not the closer next year, he remains a top fantasy pitcher whose value increases if Brian Wilson is still struggling with injury problems.
#8. Jim Johnson – Baltimore Orioles Closer
Jim Johnson saved a MLB leading 51 games in 2012, but remains low on this list due to his low 41 strikeouts and solid but not impressive ERA for a closer of 2.49. Due to his high number of saves, someone during your fantasy draft may jump at the chance to draft Johnson early, but don’t expect Johnson to repeat his performance of 51 saves in 2013. Johnson has been back and forth from the minor leagues to the majors over the past seven years and has a career average ERA of 3.14 with 15 wins and 18 losses. Johnson will be a solid option this season, but there are many better and more dependable options on this list.
#7. Jason Motte – St. Louis Cardinals Closer
Jason Motte is just slightly a better option for the 2013 than #10 on this list, Jim Johnson. Motte had 42 saves with a 2.75 ERA in 72 innings. His strikeouts are over double what Johnson was able to do with 86. Motte did give up an alarming amount of home runs for a closer with 9 throughout the season. Look for him to have a very similar season this year.
#6. Joe Nathan – Texas Rangers Closer
Joe Nathan finally returned to his dominant form in 2012 after a lost year in 2010 due to injury and a shaky 2011 performance. This past season, Nathan saved 37 out of 40 opportunities, had a 2.80 ERA, and 78 strikeouts. Even at 38 years old, Nathan is one of the best closers in the game, and he should be a hot pitcher once again this next season.
#5. Ernesto Frieri – Los Angeles Angels Closer
Ernesto Frieri had a hot season as the Los Angeles Angles closer. Out of 26 opportunities, Frieri saved 23 of them with a 5-2 win-loss record, 2.32 ERA, and 98 strikeouts. Frieri will have many more opportunities for the Angels next season, expect around 40 saves with a few more strikeouts and a similar ERA.
#4. Jonathan Papelbon – Philadelphia Phillies Closer
Jonathan Papelbon is back in full force as a dominant closer. Papelbon had 38 saves in 42 attempts with a 2.44 ERA and 92 strikeouts, all his best output in the past three seasons. Even with the Philadelphia Phillies having a less than stellar year, Papelbon was able to put up solid numbers. Papelbon should build off of these numbers with more saves next season.
#3. Craig Kimbrel – Atlanta Braves Closer
Kimbrel had a very impressive year, closing out 42 of 45 save opportunities and compiling an ERA of 1.01 with 116 strikeouts and only 14 walks. Kimbrel will be pursuing his third season in a row of over 40 saves and 100 strikeouts, and I don’t see the 24 year old slowing down anytime soon, only getting better.
#2. Fernando Rodney – Tampa Bay Rays Closer
Although some may think that Fernando Rodney is a one year wonder, it is hard to not believe the hype after his tremendous year. The former Tigers setup man had 48 saves with an amazing 0.60 ERA. There is little chance that Rodney will repeat his performance from 2012, but when you’re hot, you’re hot. Don’t expect Rodney to perform at the same level as last season, but don’t let him slip by you simply because you don’t think he can put up as impressive numbers this season.
#1. Aroldis Chapman – Cincinnati Reds Closer
Aroldis Chapman is the most talented relief pitcher in all of baseball. Chapman had the most strikeouts of any closer with 122, had an ERA of 1.51, had 38 saves, and only allowed 23 walks. Expect Chapman have more saves as the Reds continue to improve, and his strikeouts and low number of walks will help lead your fantasy team to victory.
Sources
*All statistics from MLB.com
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