MLB Fantasy Baseball: 2011 NL-Only Top 10 Closer Rankings

Ryan LesterMar 14, 2011

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Here’s a look at the 2011 closer rankings.

1. Brian Wilson, San Francisco Giants: Wilson led the Majors in saves (48) last year while posting a 1.81 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 93 Ks.

He also has the market cornered on cool beards and scary eyes.

2. Heath Bell, San Diego Padres: His stats read almost identical to Wilson’s. It’s really a preference thing here. I like Wilson because his starting pitching staff is better. Plus, without Adrian Gonzalez, the Padres could struggle to give him leads to protect.

3. Jonathan Broxton, Los Angeles Dodgers: Broxton slipped big time last year, picking up only 22 saves with a 4.04 ERA, a 1.48 WHIP and a .270 BAA.

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His lone bright spot was the 73 Ks in 62-2/3 innings. He was electric in 2009 with 36 saves, a 2.61 ERA, a 0.96 WHIP, a .165 BAA and 114 Ks in 76 innings, which leads me to believe he can be a top tier closer again.

4. Carlos Marmol, Chicago Cubs: With 38 saves, a ridiculous 138 Ks, a 2.55 ERA, a 1.18 WHIP and a microscopic .147 BAA, Marmol is a very valuable closer.

5. Francisco Rodriguez, New York Mets: I’m more worried about him mentally than physically.

Despite his bizarre season, he had 25 saves with a 2.20 ERA, a 1.15 WHIP, a .213 BAA and 67 Ks in 57-1/3 innings.

If he can control his emotions, he’s a fine closing option once again.

6. Francisco Cordero, Cincinnati Reds: He’ll give you a bunch of saves (39 & 40 in the past two years), but don’t expect a high strikeout total or low WHIP.

7. Huston Street, Colorado Rockies: He can deliver when he’s healthy. He has 55 saves in the past two years for Colorado with a 3.30 ERA, a 0.97 WHIP and 115 Ks in 109 innings.

8. John Axford, Milwaukee Brewers: Axford shared closer duties with Trevor Hoffman last year and still managed 24 saves, a 2.48 ERA, a 1.19 WHIP and 76 Ks in 58 innings.

As the Rotoprofessor points out, he does have control issues, but there is enough upside to justify his ranking.

9. J.J. Putz, Arizona Diamondbacks: Drafting Putz will take a little leap of faith, considering he has been on three teams and compiled just 20 saves over the past three seasons, though he totaled 76 saves in 2006 & 2007 for the Mariners.

You can count on a bunch of strikeouts and a potentially low WHIP.

10. Drew Storen, Washington Nationals: Storen was groomed for this role and now it’s his time to deliver.

He struggled after June, but has enough upside to gamble on in N.L. Only Leagues.

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