Fantasy Baseball: 2010 Top 25 Closer Rankings
Here’s my second look at closer rankings.
1. Jonathan Broxton, Los Angeles Dodgers
Clearly he’s among the top closers in the game. His strikeout total ensures him the No. 1 ranking.
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2. Mariano Rivera, New York Yankees
The ageless wonder continues to baffle hitters.
3. Jonathan Papelbon, Boston Red Sox
Reliable and dominant—two excellent characteristics for a closer.
See No. 3. Slipped a bit last September but still a high-end closer.
5. Joakim Soria, Kansas City Royals
Kansas City’s wins are going to be close, meaning Soria could pick up a nice save total to go along with his wonderful peripherals.
6. Jose Valverde, Detroit Tigers
The Tigers should be improved in 2010, thanks in part to Valverde.
7. Heath Bell, San Diego Padres
Has the benefit of pitching in one of the best pitcher’s parks in the league.
8. Francisco Rodriguez, New York Mets
The Mets should be much better in ‘10, which means K-Rod should be a top closer once again.
9. Brian Wilson, San Francisco Giants
Excellent ERA last year. Helps having Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain handing him leads.
10. Brian Fuentes, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Anaheim’s system is ideal for closers to pick up a ton of saves.
11. Andrew Bailey, Oakland A’s
His impressive rookie season has me excited. He should continue to post a low ERA and put up a healthy number of strikeouts.
12. Rafael Soriano, Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay has a deep bullpen, so he could lose some save opportunities. That could also help keep him fresh.
13. Huston Street, Colorado Rockies
The Rockies are really coming on as a team. Street should see plenty of save opportunities.
14. Billy Wagner, Atlanta Braves
With one of the better rotations in the league, the Braves should hand Wagner a bunch of leads to protect, which has been the name of the game for Wagner for years.
15. Francisco Cordero, Cincinnati Reds
If he can get his strikeout total up, he’ll move up the list.
16. Trevor Hoffman, Milwaukee Brewers
Hoffman continues to provide 30-plus-save seasons with one of the lowest WHIPs among closers.
17. Frank Francisco, Texas Rangers
Should post an impressive strikeout total. I’m a little cautious as he has just 30 career saves.
18. Ryan Franklin, St. Louis Cardinals
I don’t expect him to be as effective as last year, especially when you look at his first half and second half splits (0.79/3.33 ERA), but he should still rack up the saves in St. Louis.
I’m not sure he reaches the 30-save mark, but he could be among the leaders in strikeouts among closers.
20. David Aardsma, Seattle Mariners
Was a great find last year. His ERA takes a step back, but he should have plenty of save opportunities with King Felix and Cliff Lee handing him leads.
21. Mike Gonzalez, Baltimore Orioles
He’s an elite strikeout pitcher but could struggle in the AL East.
22. Bobby Jenks, Chicago White Sox
His ERA jumped last year, but if he can get that in order, he should be good for 30-plus saves.
23. Kerry Wood, Cleveland Indians
The team is a little green, but Wood should pick up a bunch of K’s and a good number of saves barring injury.
24. Chad Qualls, Arizona Diamondbacks
Should give you a nice share of saves with a low ERA and WHIP to boot.
25. Carlos Marmol, Chicago Cubs
The strikeouts will be there, but will his hold on the closer gig be?
Click to see the rest of the 2010 fantasy baseball rankings.
Originally published at LestersLegends.com.
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