Every year, there is a new closer or five who step up and have a big year. These guys bring big results for their team and for their fantasy owners.
This always makes it a fun and worthwhile adventure to look for a sleeper closer. They can, and often do, pay off big time.
Carlos Marmol, Cubs
Marmol’s season is off to a slow start. Actually, it is off to a no-start. He is out with a hand cramp, but will be back soon, and he is in a position to have a solid season.
One thing we know about Marmol is that he is going to get strikeouts. Last year, he had a strikeout rate of over 12 batters per nine innings.
In five years as a big league reliever, he has averaged 108 strikeouts a season.
There is always that risk with Marmol that his control problems will get the better of him and knock him out of the closer role. However, he should get plenty of opportunities, and he will produce plenty of strikeouts and a few saves.
Javy Guerra, Dodgers
Guerra’s draft stock has been hurt by the fact that many feel Kenley Jansen will take his job. That is not going to happen. Guerra is a solid closer.
He was 17-of-19 in save opportunities after taking over the role last season. He also posted a sexy 1.02 WHIP and a 2.30 ERA.
These numbers are more than good enough to get the job done. He will get plenty of save opportunities, and you can expect a seven- to eight-strikeout-per-nine-innings mark.
Rafael Betancourt, Rockies
Betancourt has been honing his skills as a setup man and is now ready to take over the closer role. He has a nice fastball/slider combo that allowed him to strikeout over 10 per nine innings last season.
He doesn’t give up a large amount of fly balls, and playing in the high altitude in Denver shouldn’t, and hasn’t, hurt him.
As long as he stays healthy, Betancourt can be penciled in for 25-30 saves, 3.00 ERA and 70-80 strikeouts.
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