Diving Deep into Fantasy Baseball: The Ultimate Guide to Closer Rankings
Hey there, fantasy baseball enthusiasts! Welcome back to our series where we dive deep into the nitty-gritty of fantasy baseball. Today, we're going to tackle a role that's as crucial as it is unpredictable - the closer. So, buckle up as we explore the fantasy baseball rankings for closers, and get ready to dominate your league's saves category! Guys, explore more in Guides And Explainers and fantasy baseball rankings closers.
Understanding the Closer Role in Fantasy Baseball
Before we dive into the rankings, let's briefly discuss why closers are so important in fantasy baseball. Saves are a unique statistic in fantasy sports - they're binary (you either get them or you don't), and they're heavily weighted. In most leagues, a save is worth more than a home run, an RBI, or even a win. That's why having a reliable closer can significantly boost your team's chances of winning the league.
What Makes a Great Fantasy Closer?
When evaluating closers, we look for a combination of factors:
- Saves: Obvious, right? But not all saves are created equal. Some closers might have a higher save potential due to their team's win potential. - ERA and WHIP: A closer with a low ERA and WHIP is more likely to convert save opportunities and avoid the dreaded blown save. - Strikeout Rate: Closer with high strikeout rates can be more reliable and have a lower chance of allowing runs. - Job Security: A closer who's firmly entrenched in his role is less likely to lose saves to a committee or a teammate.
The 2023 Fantasy Baseball Closer Rankings
Now that we've covered the basics, let's dive into our fantasy baseball rankings for closers for the 2023 season. Remember, these rankings are based on a standard 5x5 Roto league with 12 teams.
Tier 1: The Elite
1. Josh Hader, Milwaukee Brewers: Hader is the consensus top closer in fantasy baseball. He's got a ridiculous 14.5 K/9 rate, a sub-2.00 ERA, and is as reliable as they come.
2. Aroldis Chapman, New York Yankees: Chapman's velocity is still elite, and he's got the benefit of pitching in a high-offense environment. Plus, he's got a strong supporting cast in the Yankees' bullpen.
3. Edwin Díaz, New York Mets: Díaz had a breakout season in 2022, posting a 1.31 ERA and 32 saves. He's got elite stuff and a great team in front of him.
Tier 2: The Contenders
4. Liam Hendriks, Chicago White Sox: Hendriks is one of the most reliable closers in the game, with a career 2.72 ERA and 1.08 WHIP.
5. Jake Diekman, Texas Rangers: Diekman is a bit of a sleeper, but he's got a high strikeout rate (12.6 K/9 in 2022) and should see plenty of save opportunities with the Rangers' improved offense.
6. Raisel Iglesias, Cleveland Guardians: Iglesias had a down year in 2022, but he's still got elite stuff and should bounce back in 2023.
Tier 3: The Risks
7. Devin Williams, Milwaukee Brewers: Williams is Hader's heir apparent and could see save opportunities if Hader gets traded or injured.
8. Ryan Pressly, Houston Astros: Pressly's 2022 season was marred by injuries, but he's still one of the best closers in the game when healthy.
9. Kenley Jansen, Atlanta Braves: Jansen is a bit of a risk due to his age (35) and a history of inconsistency, but he's still got elite stuff and could be a steal in drafts.
Tier 4: The Wild Cards
10. David Bednar, Pittsburgh Pirates: Bednar is a bit of a wild card, as he's never closed full-time in the majors. But he's got elite stuff and could be a steal if he wins the Pirates' closer job.
11. Greg Holland, Kansas City Royals: Holland is another veteran closer with a history of inconsistency, but he's got a great opportunity with the Royals' improved bullpen.
12. Emilio Pagán, Minnesota Twins: Pagán is a bit of a sleeper, as he's got elite stuff and could see save opportunities with the Twins' improved offense.
The Bottom Line
So there you have it, guys - our fantasy baseball rankings for closers for the 2023 season. Remember, the key to success in fantasy baseball is to draft the best players available, regardless of position. But having a reliable closer can make all the difference in the saves category. So, keep an eye on these guys as you prepare for your drafts, and good luck in your leagues!