Joakim Soria: Quietly Soria is developing into one of the top closers in the major leagues, a perfect 12 for 11 in saves with a stingy 0.84 ERA. His skill set; 10.6 K/9, 2.1 BB/9, and a 49% GB%, completely backs up his impressive numbers.
Huston Street: Despite being an injury risk, Street is a very effective closer, 12 for 14 in saves, with very solid skills, 10.7 K/9 and a 2.2 BB/9. There is a good chance that he will be traded during this season, but it should not be a risk for his fantasy owners, because he will almost certainly be used as a closer by whatever team that trades for him.
Joba Chamberlain: Chamberlain’s ground ball/strikeout package, 11.4 K/9 and a 57% GB%, should translate well as he makes the transition from reliever to starter. The only area of concern is that his already high BB/9 4.2 could increase as he works more innings and faces the same batters 2 to 4 times in a game.
BJ Ryan: When a pitcher returns after Tommy John surgery there is usually an adjustment period before he is back to full strength. That is obviously not the case with BJ Ryan, a perfect 12 for 12 in saves. The elevated BB/9 of 4.2 is a concern, especially since he struggled with control earlier in his career, but his K/9 is right back to his pre-injury level, 2006/2008 K/9’s of 10.7/10.6.
Joe Nathan: As Nathan hit his mid-thirties, he turns 34 in November, and loses a little off of his fastball, 2005/2006/2007/2008 K/9’s of 12.1/12.5/9.7/9.1, he is compensating by improving his control, BB/9’s of 2.8/2.1/2.4/2.1, and inducing more ground balls, GB%’s 37%/36%/40%/53%. That is the sign of a smart pitcher and one who will be around as an effective closer for a long while.
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