Fantasy Baseball: Is Kansas City Royals Closer Joakim Soria Back to 2010 Form?

When the preseason fantasy rankings and predictions began for the 2011 MLB season, managers and experts alike were anointing Joakim Soria one of the few "sure thing" closers. Soria had a career-best 43 saves with a 1.78 ERA in 2010 and was ranked as a top-five closer by almost every analyst this season.

Closers are always tricky come draft day, because as hyped or consistent as you think a guy is, more than a handful of closers lose their job season after season. By drafting the Royals star earlier than many at his position probably went, owners of Soria believed they were avoiding the stress and troubles many others would deal with at the closer position.

Few things in fantasy baseball are consistent, but every year one or two closers, who are pegged as "sure things," turn out to be epic disappointments. Last year, it was Trevor Hoffman and Jonathan Broxton. And so far this season, it has been Joakim Soria and well, Jonathan Broxton.

April would prove to be a strange but bearable month for owners of the Mexican born Soria. The first month of the season would end with the Kansas City closer posting an unusual 4.63 ERA but a very much expected six saves.

May would prove to be the month that left the Royals and fantasy managers confused, disappointed and with many blown saves, thanks to the one-time shutdown ninth inning man. Soria would end May with an inexcusable 6.55 ERA and four blown saves. This would eventually lead to Aaron Crow stepping in as the Royals' temporary closer.

June, however, has proven to be quite the redemption month for the two-time All-Star. Soria has already recorded four saves on the month, lowered his ERA down to 4.50 and has not given up an earned run since the month began.

Owners of Soria are left wondering if he's finally gotten on track, and should they expect an exceptional return to form the rest of the year. Or is he going to regress to his woes of early in the 2011 season?

On too many occasions, fantasy baseball managers look to previous production to make all of their decisions. But with someone as proven and as dominant as Soria, you have to expect that he'd regain his form.

Despite only having 11 saves to his name at this point of the season, it's fair to assume he'll reach or surpass his 2009 total of 30 saves. He should also get his ERA back to its usual microscopic self.