FANTASY BASEBALL

CLOSING THE DOOR (RP DRAFT STRATEGY)

By Muntradamus

BEAST DOME NATION.

With Fantasy Baseball getting closer, let us get closer with the closer Draft Strategy. This is a position where it is vital to have go-to guys you can count on. Especially with today’s MLB where one team can have a new closer every Week. When drafting a Closer, it is important to get closers on winning teams. Yes the guys like Zack Britton could have a 35+ save season on a 70 win team, but trust me when I say this. It will be a frustfrating 40 saves. You could go weeks without an apperance, or an opportunity. Get the guys on winning teams. With that being said, if you can find someone who is the for sure go-to guy and will likely keep that role through the thickest of thicks, and the thinnest of thins. Than that is your man.

BEAST DOME DRAFT STRATEGY RP

 

BEAST’S

BRAD HAND (#81 OVERALL) – CLE

The Indians have cleared room for the All-Star to be their everyday closer. Hand is one of the best and the Indians have an almost solid lock to be World Series contenders. When you draft Hand, you can automatically type in 40+ Saves.

KENLEY JANSEN (#66 OVERALL) – LAD

Kenley seems to be fading a bit and is becoming more and more hittable. His ERA balooned to over 3.00 last season and he continues to pitch deep into playoff games. The only reason I would consider Jansen is if he slipped to the mid rounds only because as a Dodger, he will get 35+ Saves almost guaranteed.

ELITE

CODY ALLEN (#164 OVERALL) – LAA

Cody goes to the Angels where he will be the everyday option. Something he did not get to experience with Hand and Miller on the same team for the past couple of years. With Cody having the job to himself, expect that automatic 35+ Save Season to come true. Cody has electric stuff and the Angels always have a chance to win with a lineup that features Mike Trout. Most important about Allen, his job is rock solid safe.

SEAN DOOLITTLE (#99 OVERALL) – WAS

The Nationals are a team that will still compete, but definitely not the same without Bryce Harper. What you can depend on is the Nationals relying on their All-Star Sean Doolittle to get at least 30+ Saves. Good discount of a low-end BEAST closer.

ARODYS VIZCAINO (#182 OVERALL) – ATL

There are rumors that AJ Minter can close even though his 3.41 ERA was not good at all, but Vizcaino was the man last season posting an ERA of 2.11 and being the primary closer to close out last season for the Braves in the Playoffs. His stuff is electric, he does not walk a lot of hitters and the ERA speaks for itself. Vizcaino can easily join the 35+ Save club, draft AJ Minter later on if you draft Vizcaino. However I have a feeling Vizcaino will win this job easily.

ANDREW MILLER (#203 OVERALL) – STL

If you draft Andrew Miller at his huge discount price, make sure to pickup John Hicks at the end of your draft. With micro managing being so big in baseball these days, the Cardinals have decided they will not commit to the new $25 million man that he is not their everyday closer.

Andrew Miller is a stud and when he gets the job done time after time, the Cardinals will have no choice but to commit to Miller.

SLEEPER

MATT BARNES (#303 OVERALL) – BOS

So far with Kimbrel yet to sign anywhere. Matt Barnes holds the closer spot for the Red Sox. Barnes is more than solid, and defnitely the best thing left in that bullpen. Barnes would be an easy candidate for 30+ Saves with a Red Sox that team can repeat as World Series Champions. Stay tuned for him to join the ELITE crew.

TREVOR MAY (#369 OVERALL) – MIN

May is a good pitcher and could be the closer for a Twins team that can be in the playoff hunt. May is a big boy and is still young so you can depend on him to not wear down. A lot of upside in Trevor May who makes a good pick.

MYCHAL GIVENS (#218 OVERALL) – BAL

It will be easy to fall in love with Givens who gets it done when the opportunity comes. The Orioles are really bad this year, but Givens is a guy you can stash on the back of your bench and throw into a trade as nice bait.

BEAST DOME DRAFT STRATEGY

Cody Allen is MUST-DRAFT, take him early around Pick #100-#110.

We will probably make an exception and draft Brad Hand around his ADP. However that is not final.

Matt Barnes and Trevor May are great last few round Picks.

Drafting Vizcaino or Andrew Miller with their complement is the Strategy if there is no Hand. Something tells me we will go Hand.

Most important of all, got to watch this Spring and see who shows up.

 

MORE DRAFT STRATEGY COMING