Fantasy Baseball: The Closer Report Power Ranking 5.8.2011

The Closer Closer Power Rankings
Every two weeks throughout the baseball season, The Closer Report will provide the Closer Report Power Rankings.
These power rankings are not based on a closer's legacy, name, or team. It's based on a formula that considers the pitchers historical stats, current stats, reliability, injury and more importantly what the closer is doing recently.
Brought to you by Todd Farino of www.thecloserreport.com
Last Updated 5/8/2011
Rank   Closer - Stats (Saves-Wins-ERA-WHIP-K)
1 Mariano Rivera, Yankees (12-1-1.72-0.83-13)
I have one word for Rivera: WOW.
Over the past two weeks, the Yankee closer added five saves, throwing five innings of one hit ball. He has been absolutely outstanding in 2011 and has done it without be overused at this point.
2 Brian Wilson, Giants (11-2-4.70-1.37-19)
Wilson has been on fire since coming off the DL. He already has 11 saves and didn't record his first save until April 12.
He also added a pair of wins to his already impressive numbers. His inflated numbers also plunged like the 1999 stock market.
3 Huston Street, Rockies (11-0-3.06-1.19-20)
Street finally blew his first save after 11 straight to open the season. He also is one of two closers with 20 Ks and is the only closer with 10+ saves and 20 Ks so far this season.
4 Leo Nunez, Marlins (11-0-2.70-1.20-17)
"Impressive Nunez has been." - Yoda. 
 Maybe you don't like Nunez as a closer, but the numbers don't lie. He is 11/11 in saves with 17 Ks. He was 5/5 since the last rankings and is one of four closers with 11+ saves.
5 Craig Kimbrel, Braves (8-0-1.72-1.02-22)
Kimbrel had a slow past two weeks. He was 1/2 in saves, not getting many chances with the Braves to close out games.
He leads the league with 22 Ks and batters are hitting .163 against him. Kimbrel is quickly becoming a premiere closer.
6 Carlos Marmol, Cubs (8-1-1.72-1.09-19)
While Marmol's BB/9 hasn't gotten any better in 2011, the Cubs closer has gotten better.
He notched three more saves since the last ranking and lowered all his numbers. His strikeouts (19) are low, but his fantasy owners have to be happy at this point.
7 Francisco Rodriguez, Mets (9-1-1.17-1.70-19)
Rodriguez has been lights out the past two weeks, posting five saves in 7.2 innings of work and no earned runs.
His BB/9 is still way high and his WHIP is in orbit, but the Mets closer is getting back to his old self.
8 Chris Perez, Indians (10-1-3.00-1.13-9)
Perez has been nothing short of impressive. He is 10/11 in saves and recorded four more this ranking period and a win.
His overall numbers aren't lights out, but he has been closing the door as good as anyone in MLB.
9 Joel Hanrahan, Pirates (10-0-1.50-1.33-8)
A great two weeks from Hanrahan. He recorded five saves in eight innings of work. He is 10/10 on the season and lowered his ERA to 1.50.
His WHIP is still a concern, but he's getting the job done.
10 Heath Bell, Padres (8-1-1.29-1.07-12)
Bell finally blew his first save after seven to open the season. Bell is not the most talented closer in the group, but he's a killer for the ninth inning.
His emotion carries him and he's looking at another 40 save season.
11 Drew Storen, Nationals (7-2-0.48-0.86-14)
An amazing two weeks for the young Nats closer. he grabbed four saves and two wins over the past two weeks and has been one of the more impressive closer in 2011.
He has the best WHIPERA of any closer this year at 1.34.
12 Jose Valverde, Detroit (7-2-1.84-1.16-15)
Over the past two weeks, Valverde only worked five innings and only has 14.2 innings to date this season.
He is a perfect 7/7 in saves, but has yet to really get on a good pace with the Tigers.
13 Brandon League, Mariners (9-0-3.77-0.98-10)
Before getting blown up today, League was looking great. In place of Aardsma, League is 9/9 in saves.
His ERA reflects the three-run loss on Sunday, but his WHIP is still below 1.00. He's a top flight closer and should remain closer after Aardsma returns.
14 Brian Fuentes, Athletics (9-0-4.42-1.20-5)
Andrew Bailey who? Ok, not true, but Fuentes has been great for Oakland so far.
We expected the high ERA, but 9/11 in saves is more than acceptable and he still has two-to-three weeks of closing before Bailey is back.
15 Kyle Farnsworth, Rays (7-1-0.75-0.83-6)
Farnsworth has been great in limited work. While the Rays are winning, they haven't afforded their closer much work.
One of the more under-utilized closers in the league, he has only recorded 11.2 innings of work. Only one ER so far in the season.
16 J.J. Putz, Diamondbacks (7-0-2.77-1.00-12)
With 13 innings in the book, Putz has not only been great, he's been healthy.
He had a few tough outings in lat April, but came back strong with two saves. Putz is on pace for a great season.
17 Francisco Cordero, Reds (6-2-2.30-1.02-11)
After a slow start for the aging veteran closer, Cordero added three saves and a pair of wins over the last two week period.
So far, he is 6/7 on the season, but his overall numbers show he still has what it takes to close out games.
18 Jordan Walden, Angels(6-0-2.20-1.16-15)
Bye-bye to the ZERO ERA for Walden. He blew his first save of the season this week and his numbered did balloon, but the rookie closer has still be very effective.
His 100 MPH fastball and 87 MPH change-up has kept hitters off-balance.
19 Jonathan Papelbon, Red Sox (5-1-2.70-0.98-18)
A Tough two weeks for Papelbon. The Red Sox closer didn't record any saves over the past two weeks and with the Red Sox at 16-18 there are reasons.
He did get a win, but expect more from Paps once the Red Sox get hot.
20 Joakim Soria, Royals (6-2-3.95-1.32-9)
A slow, but effective two weeks for Soria. He only notched a save and a win, but did lowered his inflated WHIP and ERA.
It hasn't been the season Soria owners wanted to see, but like other slow starting closers, he is getting back.
The Closer Closer Power Rankings
Every two weeks throughout the baseball season, The Closer Report will provide the Closer Report Power Rankings. These power rankings are not based on a closer's legacy, name, or team. It's based on a formula that considers the pitchers historical stats, current stats, reliability, injury and more importantly what the closer is doing recently. Brought to you by Todd Farino of www.thecloserreport.com
Last Updated 5/8/2011
Rank		Closer - Stats (Saves-Wins-ERA-WHIP-K)
1		Mariano Rivera, Yankees (12-1-1.72-0.83-13) I have one word for Rivera: WOW. Over the past two weeks, the Yankee closer added five saves, throwing five innings of one hit ball. He has been absolutely outstanding in 2011 and has done it without be overused at this point.
2		Brian Wilson, Giants (11-2-4.70-1.37-19) Wilson has been on fire since coming off the DL. He already has 11 saves and didn't record his first save until April 12. He also added a pair of wins to his already impressive numbers. His inflated numbers also plunged like the 1999 stock market.
3		Huston Street, Rockies (11-0-3.06-1.19-20) Street finally blew his first save after 11 straight to open the season. He also is one of two closers with 20 Ks and is the only closer with 10+ saves and 20 Ks so far this season.
4		Leo Nunez, Marlins (11-0-2.70-1.20-17) "Impressive Nunez has been." - Yoda. Maybe you don't like Nunez as a closer, but the numbers don't lie. He is 11/11 in saves with 17 Ks. He was 5/5 since the last rankings and is one of four closers with 11+ saves.
5		Craig Kimbrel, Braves (8-0-1.72-1.02-22) Kimbrel had a slow past two weeks. He was 1/2 in saves, not getting many chances with the Braves to close out games. He leads the league with 22 Ks and batters are hitting .163 against him. Kimbrel is quickly becoming a premiere closer.
6		Carlos Marmol, Cubs (8-1-1.72-1.09-19) While Marmol's BB/9 hasn't gotten any better in 2011, the Cubs closer has gotten better. He notched three more saves since the last ranking and lowered all his numbers. His strikeouts (19) are low, but his fantasy owners have to be happy at this point.
7		Francisco Rodriguez, Mets (9-1-1.17-1.70-19) Rodriguez has been lights out the past two weeks, posting five saves in 7.2 innings of work and no earned runs. His BB/9 is still way high and his WHIP is in orbit, but the Mets closer is getting back to his old self.
8		Chris Perez, Indians (10-1-3.00-1.13-9) Perez has been nothing short of impressive. He is 10/11 in saves and recorded four more this ranking period and a win. His overall numbers aren't lights out, but he has been closing the door as good as anyone in MLB.
9		Joel Hanrahan, Pirates (10-0-1.50-1.33-8) A great two weeks from Hanrahan. He recorded five saves in eight innings of work. He is 10/10 on the season and lowered his ERA to 1.50. His WHIP is still a concern, but he's getting the job done.
10		Heath Bell, Padres (8-1-1.29-1.07-12) Bell finally blew his first save after seven to open the season. Bell is not the most talented closer in the group, but he's a killer for the ninth inning. His emotion carries him and he's looking at another 40 save season.
11		Drew Storen, Nationals (7-2-0.48-0.86-14) An amazing two weeks for the young Nats closer. he grabbed four saves and two wins over the past two weeks and has been one of the more impressive closer in 2011. He has the best WHIPERA of any closer this year at 1.34.
12		Jose Valverde, Detroit (7-2-1.84-1.16-15) Over the past two weeks, Valverde only worked five innings and only has 14.2 innings to date this season. He is a perfect 7/7 in saves, but has yet to really get on a good pace with the Tigers.
13		Brandon League, Mariners (9-0-3.77-0.98-10) Before getting blown up today, League was looking great. In place of Aardsma, League is 9/9 in saves. His ERA reflects the three-run loss on Sunday, but his WHIP is still below 1.00. He's a top flight closer and should remain closer after Aardsma returns.
14		Brian Fuentes, Athletics (9-0-4.42-1.20-5) Andrew Bailey who? Ok, not true, but Fuentes has been great for Oakland so far. We expected the high ERA, but 9/11 in saves is more than acceptable and he still has two-to-three weeks of closing before Bailey is back.
15		Kyle Farnsworth, Rays (7-1-0.75-0.83-6) Farnsworth has been great in limited work. While the Rays are winning, they haven't afforded their closer much work. One of the more under-utilized closers in the league, he has only recorded 11.2 innings of work. Only one ER so far in the season.
16		J.J. Putz, Diamondbacks (7-0-2.77-1.00-12) With 13 innings in the book, Putz has not only been great, he's been healthy. He had a few tough outings in lat April, but came back strong with two saves. Putz is on pace for a great season.
17		Francisco Cordero, Reds (6-2-2.30-1.02-11) After a slow start for the aging veteran closer, Cordero added three saves and a pair of wins over the last two week period. So far, he is 6/7 on the season, but his overall numbers show he still has what it takes to close out games.
18		Jordan Walden, Angels(6-0-2.20-1.16-15) Bye-bye to the ZERO ERA for Walden. He blew his first save of the season this week and his numbered did balloon, but the rookie closer has still be very effective. His 100 MPH fastball and 87 MPH change-up has kept hitters off-balance.
19		Jonathan Papelbon, Red Sox (5-1-2.70-0.98-18) A Tough two weeks for Papelbon. The Red Sox closer didn't record any saves over the past two weeks and with the Red Sox at 16-18 there are reasons. He did get a win, but expect more from Paps once the Red Sox get hot.
20		Joakim Soria, Royals (6-2-3.95-1.32-9) A slow, but effective two weeks for Soria. He only notched a save and a win, but did lowered his inflated WHIP and ERA. It hasn't been the season Soria owners wanted to see, but like other slow starting closers, he is getting back.