Fantasy Baseball is coming quicker than a Aroldis Chapman 100-miles-per-hour fastball. In preparation of another competitive fantasy season, check out my top five “closers” for the 2014 season.
BONUS: 2014 Fantasy baseball draft strategy
No. 5: RHP Ernesto Frieri (LAA)
Frieri might be one of the more underrated closers heading into the 2014 season. At the 28, Frieri posted a career worst 3.80 ERA in 2013 as the Angels' full-time closer. However since his Major League debut in 2009, he never had an ERA higher than 2.71. So on that account, his 2013 ERA is nothing more than a fluke.
Frieri is a great numbers closer. He saved 37 games for the Angels last season. In 68.2 innings, he struck out 98 batters. In fact, Frieri has 315 career strikeouts in 231.1 lifetime innings. He falls under the radar due to the feats of other great strikeout closers like Craig Kimbrel and Aroldis Chapman. However Frieri is a great pick for the later rounds should you need a closer. I expect the Colombia native to save 41 games, post a 2.51 ERA and strike out 100 batters for the Angels in 2014.
No. 4: RHP Joe Nathan (DET)
Nathan is delaying his battle against Father Time by having put up astounding numbers over the past few seasons. In 2013 with the Rangers, Nathan went 6-2 and posted a miniscule 1.39 ERA. He saved 43 games, good for fourth in the American League. Nathan also struck out 73 batters in 64.2 innings. His WHIP was also off the charts at 0.897.
Moving to the Tigers will do a lot for Nathan's numbers. I imagine he'll pitch to a 1.58 ERA and strikeout more than a batter per inning. He'll save 37 games and put up great numbers for any fantasy player.
No. 3: LHP Aroldis Chapman (CIN)
Chapman has done nothing but blow way hitters since his Major League debut in 2010. The 26-year old Cuba native went 4-5, with a 2.54 ERA for the Reds in 2013. His struck out an astounding 112 batters in 63.2 innings of work. In addition, Chapman saved 38 games for the Reds, which ranked third in the National League. Since coming up to the Big Leagues, Chapman has averaged 14.7 strikeouts per nine innings.
He will continue to improve during the 2014 season. I expect the two-time all-star to go 5-2 with a 1.91 ERA. In 65.0 innings, he should strikeout 120 batters and save 41 games for the Reds.
No.2: RHP Greg Holland (KCR)
Holland had a breakout season for the Royals in 2013. He went 2-1 and posted a 1.21 ERA with 47 saves. In 67 innings, he struck out 103 batters. The 28-year old finished ninth in the American League Cy Young voting and 15th in the American League MVP voting. Holland's average fastball is clocked at 96 miles per hour. He also features and 87 MPH slider and a 78 MPH changeup.
The Royals are a team on the rise. Holland is entering the prime of his Major League career and should be accesible to fantasy owners looking for a great closer. I expect the young right hander to go 4-1, with a 1.87 ERA and save 45 games for the Royals in 2014.
No. 1: RHP Craig Kimbrel (ATL)
Now that Mariano Rivera has retired from baseball, Craig Kimbrel will take the reigns as the game's best closer. Kimbrel, the 2010 National League Rookie of the Year, went 4-3 with a 1.21 ERA in 2013. He struck out 98 batters in 67 innings and led the National League in saves with 50. It was the third consecutive season where Kimbrel led the NL in saves.
Kimbrel is a strikeout closer who puts up great statistics. In four Major League seasons, he has a lifetime ERA of 1.39 and has averaged 15.1 strikeouts per nine innings. If he stays healthy, Kimbrel has the potential to become historically the game's most dominating closer. I expect the three-time all-star to go 5-1, with a 1.51 ERA and save 52 games for the Braves in 2014.
Did I leave any closers off my list that you think should be on it? Let us know in the comments section below!
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