It’s almost June, and the “boys of summer” are in full (don’t say swing, don’t say swing)…effect. Real life teams and fantasy teams alike are figuring out if they are for real or if it might be time to just play out the season and look to 2017. The dog days aren’t here just yet, so there can still be time for some teams to turn it around, but it is certainly time to buckle down and get as much out of every category as possible. With that said, here’s a look at closers and the news they carried with them this week.

Bookmark our Closer Report for updates on current closers and job security >>

Closer News From Around The League

Los Angeles Dodgers

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen is one of the top closers in baseball, both fantasy and on the field. Don’t let his bad outing against the Padres fool you, he’s still a top option. Jansen blew his first save this week, allowing a walk-off two-run home run to Melvin Upton Jr. He only got one out before the blast, leading to an ugly 1/3-inning, two-hit, two-run outing. His ERA shot up from 0.55 to 1.62 at the time, but he’s since lowered it a bit. For the season, he sits at 14 saves with 20 strikeouts and only one walk in 19 innings.

Houston Astros

Before the season, the Astros sent a few legitimate prospects, including former No. 1 overall pick Mark Appel and the clearly MLB-ready Vincent Velasquez, to Philadelphia in exchange for closer Ken Giles. The belief all offseason long was that Giles would unseat 2015 Astros closer Luke Gregerson for ninth-inning duties. It didn’t happen quite that way, as after Giles struggled through Spring Training, the team named Gregerson the closer and announced Giles would be working as a setup man to begin the season. That didn’t go well either, and Giles slipped down the depth chart into earlier innings.Recently, he’s been much better, recording nine straight scoreless appearances. For the season, he’s worked his ERA down to 5.59 and has recorded a 27:8 strikeout to walk ratio in 19 1/3 innings. Gregerson still has a decent hold on the closer’s role, as his 10 saves and 3.32 ERA likely won’t be going anywhere anytime soon. Still, Gregerson’s seat may be a bit warmer than it should be since the team gave up so much for Giles. A continued string of good outings by Giles combined with a few rough ones by Gregerson may lead to a shake up in the Houston bullpen.

Miami Marlins

Don’t look now, but the Miami Marlins might have one of the best back ends of the bullpen in baseball. With all the talk of the Marlins having three excellent outfielders, it’s their three late-inning relievers who are making the most noise. Closer A.J. Ramos hasn’t blown a save yet despite a few close calls. He’s converted all 15 of his save chances, pitching to a 1.80 ERA and 10.80 K/9. His issue, as it has been his entire career, has been his control. His 5.85 BB/9 is less than ideal for a closer, or any pitcher for that matter.

Last season, Ramos was able to limit walks to 3.33 BB/9. If he can approach that rate this season, he could move into the closer tier right below the elite options. Ramos’ main issue is his fastball. He is a four-pitch pitcher, working only one inning at a time, which seems excellent, except since his fastball is possibly his worst pitch, he can be exposed a bit when his breaking stuff isn’t working. Still, it works more often than it doesn’t, and if you are willing to deal with rough patches now and then and a slightly elevated WHIP, Ramos can turn in plenty of saves and strikeouts.

Right before Ramos’ ninth inning is David Phelps’ eighth inning. Phelps was a career swingman, pitching long relief out of the bullpen and filling in as a starter when needed. Before the season, it was decided that he would pitch out of the bullpen and he worked his way into the setup role. In 27 innings in that role, Phelps has a 1.33 ERA to go with 11.33 K/9 and a respectable 3.00 BB/9. He’s saved two games on days Ramos was unavailable, and he is next in line for the ninth inning.

Taking over the seventh inning since being recalled from Triple-A, flame thrower Kyle Barraclough has done nothing but lead the league in K/9. In 16 2/3 innings, he has a 15.66 K/9 rate and a 2.70 ERA. The problem with “Bear Claw” throughout his career has been his control, and he is still a work in progress in that regard. His 7.02 BB/9 is one of the highest numbers you’ll see for a guy who is still effective.

Injury Updates

Closer Report Injury Update section mainstay Glen Perkins had a bullpen session scheduled for this week, but he had it pushed back after experiencing a setback in his recovery. He felt stiffness in his throwing shoulder while playing long toss shortly after beginning to throw off flat ground. He was officially transferred from the 15-day to the 60-day disabled list in order to open up a spot on the Twins’ 40-man roster. It doesn’t appear Perkins is anywhere near a major league mound.

Los Angeles Angels closer Huston Street is on his way back just as temporary closer Joe Smith blew his first save. Street has been throwing at extended Spring Training since last weekend and is looking at returning to the mound sometime next week.

Top Performers From May 19 – May 26

Jeurys Familia (NYM): 4 IP, 3 K, 3 SV, 0.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP

No closer saved four games this week, so Familia’s three-save, zero-run performance comes in at No. 1. He allowed four hits in his four innings, and also picked up a win.

Sam Dyson (TEX): 4 IP, 5 K, 3 SV, 2.25 ERA, 0.50 WHIP

Dyson, just named the Rangers closer after deposing Shawn Tolleson, had a very nice week. He saved three games, striking out five and allowing just one harmless run on two hits. Dyson isn’t the stereotypical closer, but he and his ground balls should do well in the ninth inning in Texas.

Wade Davis (KC): 3 IP, 4 K, 3 SV, 0.00 ERA, 1.67 WHIP

Royals closer Wade Davis had a nice week, saving three games and striking out four without allowing a run. He did allow two hits and three walks, but was able to work around all of them for a scoreless three innings. Davis is one of the best closers in baseball and even in what he probably considered a “down week” he ends up in the top performers list.



Subscribe: iTunes | Stitcher | SoundCloud | TuneIn | Google Play

David A. Marcillo is a correspondent at FantasyPros. To read more from David, check out his archive and follow him @DavidMarcillo77.

