Closer In Waiting Power Rankings: June 6, 2017: Who Joins Rivero & Hand As Players Worth Stashing?
by Eric Stashin (aka The Rotoprofessor)
Are you someone constantly on the lookout for the next potential closer? That’s what we are trying to pinpoint here, with our Top 5 Closer In Waiting Power Rankings. These rankings look at the pitchers who appear capable of taking over their team’s respective closing duties (though in some cases, will need some help to get there). Keep in mind, if a pitcher is currently part of a committee they will not be included in these rankings despite not currently “holding” the job outright.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at how things stand:
|
Rank
|
Player
|
Team
|
Current Closer
|
Note
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Felipe Rivero (1) | Pittsburgh Pirates | Tony Watson | Watson has converted 10 of 13 saves, but that doesn’t mean he’s been very good. While he’s put up a few clean innings of late, they have been few and far between (28 H and 8 BB over 24.1 IP). Walking a tight rope all season long, he’s been falling off it of late. Rivero, meanwhile, has been among the elite relievers in the game (0.63 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, 30 K over 28.2 IP) and deserves an opportunity. It’s just a matter of when Pittsburgh gives it to him. |
| 2. | Brad Hand (2) | San Diego Padres | Brandon Maurer | Hand appeared to have the job, getting saves on back-to-back days, but has inexplicably been returned to a setup role. It doesn’t make sense, and while Maurer has gotten job done since returning to the role does anyone believe? The biggest stumbling block for Hand remains the potential of a trade, as there’s little reason to think that he won’t return to the role before long if he remains in San Diego. |
| 3. | Joakim Soria (NR) | Kansas City Royals | Kelvin Herrera | It’s possible that Mike Minor thrusts his name into the discussion, but chances are if Herrera is removed from the role (in an Edwin Diaz-like short-term demotion) it’s Soria who gets the opportunity. It makes sense, especially after Herrera’s most recent struggle and the home run issues he’s had this season (6 HR). The Royals need him to pitch well, if for nothing besides his tradaebility, so even if he is bumped from the role he should return in short order. |
| 4. | Alex Wilson (4) | Detroit Tigers | Justin Wilson | Justin Wilson has suddenly found home run troubles. If that wasn’t enough, he imploded last week without giving up a long ball (3 R on 4 H) and pitched into and out of trouble again recently (1 H/1 BB/0 R). With Francisco Rodriguez also continuing to have some issues, Alex Wilson could become a realistic option for consistent saves. He’s actually picked up two already, though his ascent to the role has slowed given his own stumbles (3 ER on 5 H in past 2.1 IP). That said, the role is hardly settled and it’s easy to envision a scenario that he gets an opportunity in the role. |
| 5. | Ryan Madson (3) | Oakland A’s | Santiago Casilla | Does anyone truly believe in Casilla? While he’s looked good in his past two outings, he allowed runs in three of his past six outings before that (6 ER on 9 H and 3 BB over 5.1 IP over this stretch). Considering his history it’s easy to imagine a change, and Madson is clearly the top candidate (with Sean Doolittle on the DL). Madson stumbled recently, but still owns a 2.82 ERA and 1.03 WHIP on the season and is deserving of a shot. |
Graduated:
- None
Dropped Off Rankings:
- Taylor Rogers – Minnesota Twins (5)
Committees Not Currently Included:
- None
Others We’re Monitoring:
- Kyle Barraclough – Miami Marlins
- Archie Bradley – Arizona Diamondbacks
- Mychael Givens – Baltimore Orioles
- Will Harris – Houston Astros
- Tommy Kahnle – Chicago White Sox
- Shawn Kelley – Washington Nationals
- Darren O’Day – Baltimore Orioles
- Trevor Rosenthal – St. Louis Cardinals
- Joakim Soria – Kansas City Royals
- Drew Storen – Cincinnati Reds
- Hunter Strickland – San Francisco Giants
- Arodys Vizcaino – Atlanta Braves
Injured Setup Men To Monitor:
- Jake Barrett – Arizona Diamondbacks
- Carter Capps – San Diego Padres
- Sean Doolittle – Oakland A’s
Make sure to check out all of our updated rankings:
|
Position
|
Posted
|
|---|---|
| Catcher | April 25 |
| First Base | April 26 |
| Second Base | May 1 |
| Third Base | May 4 |
| Shortstop | May 8 |
| Outfield | – |
| Starting Pitcher | – |
| Relief Pitcher | – |
Source: http://rotoprofessor.com/baseball/?p=33287
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