In the 2016 Fantasy Alarm Fantasy Baseball Draft Guide Ray Flowers gives you his outlook on the field of Closers in this year’s fantasy baseball draft and discusses the factors he takes into accounts when deciding which closers he looks to target in drafts.
Here is a sample of some of the content inside the BRAND NEW 2016 Fantasy Alarm Fantasy Baseball Draft Guide that is available online RIGHT HERE.
2016 MLB Draft Guide: The Closer Conundrum
By: Ray Flowers
Later in this Guide in “Never Draft a Closer Early,” Greg Jewett will discuss the idea of when to draft a closer (let’s say that I’m not a huge fan, in most instances, of being the one to break the seal on drafting closers). Of course, all leagues are different, and while closers may not be taken early in the experts drafts I do, perhaps they are taken early in your home league. Above all, remember this axiom – you have to play your draft. I’m speaking of generalities when I say don’t take a closer early. If it’s the seventh round and 11 closers are already off the board you had better jump into the mix.
Enough with the public service announcement.
Now on to the main show which will discuss drafting closers as well as the fact that choosing a closer on a good team, over a closer on an average one, isn’t always the best plan of action.
In 2015 there were 1,292 saves, an average of 43.1 per team.
- There were 47 men who saved five games
- 37 saved 10 games
- 33 saved 15 games
- 28 saved 20 games
- 24 saved 25 games
- 21 saved 30 games
- 12 saved 35 games
- Five saved 40 games
- Two saved 45 games
In 2014 there were 1,263 saves, an average of 42.1 per team.
There were 49 men who saved five games
- 39 saved 10 games
- 30 saved 15 games
- 25 saved 20 games
- 21 saved 25 games
- 17 saved 30 games
- 13 saved 35 games
- Seven saved 40 games
- Four saved 45 games
In 2013 there were 1,266 saves, an average of 42.2 per team.
There were 42 men who saved five games
- 37 saved 10 games
- 33 saved 15 games
- 28 saved 20 games
- 23 saved 25 games
- 19 saved 30 games
- 14 saved 35 games
- Seven saved 40 games
- Three saved 45 games
So, the last three seasons there have been an average of…
Three men posting 45 saves.
Seven men posting 40 saves.
Thirteen posting 35 saves.
Nineteen posting 30 saves.
Twenty-three posting 25 saves.
Twenty-seven posting 20 saves
Thirty-two posting 15 saves.
So, on balance, that means there are, if you’re in a 12-team mixed league, an average of 1.92 relievers per club that will save 25 games. Moreover, 2.25 relievers a club with 20 saves. Of course, that’s not what happens in the real world, but I’m just trying to break it down on a per club basis.
So if there are an average of 23 men a year who post 25 saves why do you feel the need to reach for saves?
You can read the rest of this article and much more by purchasing the Fantasy Alarm Fantasy Baseball Draft Guide found HERE