Closing Time 6/18: Ranking the Top 30 Closers Every Tuesday

Two NL Central closers that have been struggling as of late, Alexis Díaz and Héctor Neris, are getting close to droppable territory. Amongst active MLB closers, Díaz and Neris rank last in SIERA, xFIP, and strikeout-minus-walk rate, while also being in the bottom five in CSW, swinging-strike rate, WHIP, and ERA. I think there may be some hope still with Díaz at least, as the stuff is still grading out well, but Neris is only the Cubs closer because they have no other options at this point. Both teams are still just two games out of a playoff spot so they should be looking to upgrade the bullpen this deadline and there should be plenty of options available as there are now eight AL teams five games or more out of playoff contention as well as two in the NL so we could be looking at 10 potential sellers come late July.

 

Notes

 

• Edwin Díaz has looked like vintage Edwin Díaz since returning from the IL, albeit in only 2 innings. I still think we are more likely to see Tier 1 Díaz moving forward and with other closers in the top 10 looking shaky of late, I feel pretty confident moving Díaz into the top three.
• Craig Kimbrel could honestly be in the top five at this point, but there’s likely to be some volatility again at some point. Over his past 13 innings of work though, he has been elite with a 34.1% strikeout-minus-walk rate, 1.71 SIERA, and no runs allowed. One interesting number over this span though is his swinging-strike rate which is only 10%, which is wild considering he has a 38.6% strikeout rate, but the 23.5% called strike rate is sixth highest amongst relievers over that span.
  

 

• Carlos Estévez has turned out to be an effective closer option this year despite the lack of swing-and-miss stuff, he’s managed to allow just three walks on the season vastly improving upon his 11% walk rate from last season. Estevez should be a solid trade chip for the Angels at the deadline so I would be surprised if he were closing out games come August, but crazier things have happened.
• Michael Kopech continues to rack up strikeouts and despite only having five saves on the season, I do have hope for him after he is dealt to a new team. Will he get saves with said new team? Probably not, but there are some teams out there (Cubs, Royals, Reds, Rangers?) where Kopech may be the team’s best option to close still.
  

 

• Jason Foley only has one save since May 25th, but he’s at least pitched better as of late, allowing zero earned runs in June on just three hits and one walk while striking out walk. He still should be the favorite for saves here, but it’s probably a committee approach, and who knows, Foley shouldn’t be considered off the table in trade talks this summer.
• With Yimi García landing on the IL this week, Chad Green gets a chance to fill in as the team’s closer for the next week or two until either Jordan Romano or Garcia returns. Romano is close to mound work, with a rehab assignment to follow so we could see him back sometime next week potentially.

 

And if you want more daily reliever updates, please check out our Reliever Ranks series

 

Watch List

 

 

Rank	Pitcher	Change
1	Emmanuel ClaseT1	-
2	Josh Hader	-
3	Edwin Díaz	+3
4	Andrés Muñoz	-1
5	Mason Miller T2	-1
6	Ryan Helsley	-1
7	Pete Fairbanks	-
8	Evan Phillips	-
9	Jhoan Duran	-
10	Craig Kimbrel	+4
11	Clay Holmes	-1
12	Trevor Megill	-1
13	Tanner Scott	-1
14	Paul Sewald T3	+1
15	Robert Suarez	+1
16	David Bednar	+2
17	Camilo Doval	-
18	Raisel Iglesias	+1
19	Kirby Yates	+1
20	Kyle Finnegan	+2
21	José Alvarado	-
22	Kenley Jansen	+1
23	James McArthur T4	+1
24	Carlos Estévez	+3
25	Michael Kopech	+3
26	Jason Foley	+3
27	Chad Green	+UR
28	Alexis Díaz	-3
29	Héctor Neris	-3
30	Jalen Beeks	-