Since we have yet to focus on the closer role in this series of articles, I figured now would be a perfect time as spring training is now in full swing. Considering the turnover in the ninth inning over the last few seasons, it is hard to invest too much into the saves category, but if you are able to find value at the end of a draft, it could be the difference come postseason play. 

Just like in the kitchen, preparation is key to successfully mastering your fantasy draft, with one of the main ingredients being finding value in the later rounds. In most cases we call these players "sleepers," but not all of these players are fresh faces that we have never seen before. In fact, the majority of the players we find in the later rounds we fine aging veterans on the decline, players returning from injury or players who have been up and down between the minor and majors still trying to find a permanent home. Whatever the case may be, these are the players that could be the difference in bringing home the trophy come September. 

Since the term "deep sleeper" can mean a lot of different things, all players discussed in this series will hold an average draft position (ADP) of 250 or higher based off the most recent mock draft results of Fantasy Alarm's own Howard Bender and the Mock Draft Army. If you haven't checked out the Mock Draft Arm series,, be sure to give it a look as Howard continues to assemble some really good ADP information based on a series of mock drafts featuring experts from throughout the industry and fans alike. Now that we laid out the ground rules let's get cookin'...

 

Neftali Feliz, RP (TEX)

Mock Draft Army ADP: 259.3

The Rangers were one of the most disappointing teams in the league a season ago as they finished the season with a 67-95 record, which was more than a 40-game swing from the previous season. Not only did the Rangers struggle with scoring runs, but the Rangers pitching staff as a whole was among the league's worst, owning a team ERA of 4.49 and a .272 BAA, ranking them the 28th best staff. Now a lot of their failures in 2014 had to do with injuries to both the starting rotation and the bullpen, which is why the Rangers focused on making changes this offseason.

After trading away Joakim Soria to the Tigers before the trade deadline a season ago, the Rangers turned to a familiar face to close out games in Feliz. In 30 appearances in 2014 Feliz finished the year 2-1 with a 1.99 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 13 saves. Unlike his previous tenure at the Rangers' closer, Feliz did not have his normal dominating stuff, as he  managed to only strikeout 21 batters. The drop in strikeouts can likely be explained by a drop in velocity, as his average fastball of 93.1 MPH was a lot lower than that of his 96-plus MPH average before undergoing Tommy John Surgery back in 2012. 

Although his sample size in the big leagues was rather small in 2014, the fact he was able to make it through some tough situations proved he still have what it takes to be a shutdown ninth inning pitcher when healthy. However, there is also some cause for concern. For starters, his .179 BABIP appears to be somewhat of a mirage along with his 92.3 percent strand rate. Both of those averages indicate that some of his success a season ago was based on luck and a few good bounces in his favor, so regression is likely to happen once he takes the mound in 2015. 

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On the plus side, Feliz is only 26-years-old and still has plenty time to prove he is a legitimate closer in the big leagues. With the latest news that Yu Darvish may require reconstructive elbow surgery, the Rangers starting rotation will now have to rely even more on the arm of Feliz. Whether or not he will be able to handle to workload for a full season is yet to be seen, but considering where he is currently being taken he is certainly worth a shot. 

For now, Feliz is on the outside looking in in 10-team or less formats. but those who play in "Big Boy" leagues will want to target him in the later rounds as he will provide help in the saves category if nothing else. Just don't expect the small sample size form 2014 to last over a full season if his arm is able to make it through a full season for the first time since 2011.