27 K's: 2011 Fantasy Baseball Weekly Whiff Rankings: Closers (CL), June 1st
Pitchers are ranked for their expected performance from this point forward in standard 5 x 5 redraft leagues, not for statistics that have already been accrued. These rankings can also be used as a barometer to determine trade value. For more rankings check out:
Top 30 Closers:
Tier 1
1. Carlos Marmol, CHC
- Not worried one bit about his six run performance last night.
2. Heath Bell, SD
- Only way he loses value is if he's traded to a contender that makes him a set-up man.
3. Brian Wilson, SF
- Aside from the WHIP he's gold. Trending Upward.
4. Mariano Rivera, NYY
- Kinda like the Roddy White of closers...but better.
Tier 2
5. J.J. Putz, ARI
- Blew his first save as I was typing that he was quietly having a stellar year. Trending Upward.
6. Jonathan Papelbon, BOS
- Could lose value if traded.
7. Francisco Rodriguez, NYM
- He will be dealt 100 percent. If it's to a team that uses him as a closer, he could gain value, but if it's to a team that uses him as a set-up man, he will lose it. Trending Upward.
8. Chris Perez, CLE
- If he starts striking out more batters like last year he will force us to consider him elite. Trending Upward.
9. Craig Kimbrel, ATL
- Worried about job security with Venters beside him, but besides that he could be the next Carlos Marmol.
10. Leo Nunez, FLA
- Starting to regress, but still top 10.
11. Huston Street, COL
12. Drew Storen, WAS
- Really starting to regress. Trending Downward.
Tier 3
13. Neftali Feliz, TEX
- Something is wrong. He's not striking anyone out or hitting triple digits on the radar gun. He came off the DL too soon or something. Could see him returning to it real soon too. Trending Downward.
14. Jose Valverde, DET
15. Andrew Bailey, OAK
- Finally back. But can he stay healthy? Trending Upward.
16. Joel Hanrahan, PIT
- Like Putz, quietly having a stellar season. Worried about him getting opportunities and his job security at the deadline though. Trending Upward.
17. Francisco Cordero, CIN
- Admittedly, I thought he would have lost his job by now to Chapman, but he's pitched incredibly well. Wonder how long it can last though. Trending Upward.
18. Sergio Santos, CWS
Tier 4
19. Brandon League, SEA
- The only reason Aardsma wins his job back is because they want to showcase him for a bit before the deadline, a la Kerry Wood last year. This should be League's job most of the season though. Trending Upward.
20. Ryan Madson, PHI
21. John Axford, MIL
22. Jordan Walden, ANA
23. Fernando Salas, STL
24. Kyle Farnsworth, TB
25. Kevin Gregg, BAL
26. Matt Capps, MIN
27. Mark Melancon, HOU
Tier 5
28. Frank Francisco, TOR
29. Aaron Crow, KC
- Despite the fact that he's pitching incredibly well, he is no more than a seat warmer for Soria.
30. Matt Guerrier, LAD
Top 15 Saves Vultures to Own:
Tier 1
1. Joakim Soria, KC
- It'll be his job soon enough. Top 3 closer when healthy and pitching well.
Tier 2
2. Jon Rauch, TOR
3. Koji Uehara, BAL
4. Chris Sale, CWS
5. Fernando Rodney, ANA
6. Jose Contrera, PHI
Tier 3
7. Eduardo Sanchez, STL
8. Kameron Loe, MIL
9. Darren Oliver, TEX
Tier 4
10. Jose Mijares, MIN
11. Grant Balfour, OAK
12. Brian Fuentes, OAK
13. Wilton Lopez, HOU
14. Juaquin Benoit, DET
15. Al Alburquerque, DET
Top 10 RP to Own Who Are Not Closing:
1. Joaquin Soria, KC
2. Mike Adams, SD
3. Jonny Venters, ATL
4. Sergio Romo, SF
5. Daniel Bard, BOS
6. Luke Gregerson, SD
7. Clay Hensley, FLA
8. Joaquin Benoit, DET
9. Chris Sale, CWS
10. David Hernandez, ARI
Top 5 RP on DL Who Could Claim the Closer Role When Healthy:
1. Jonathan Broxton, LAD
2. Brandon Lyon, HOU
3. Brad Lidge, PHI
4. David Aardsma, SEA
5. Joe Nathan, MIN
6. Hong-Chih Kuo, LAD
7. Kenley Jansen, LAD
8. Aaroldis Chapman, CIN
9. Bobby Parnell, NYM
10. Bobby Jenks, BOS
