Positional thoughts for the upcoming season, giving the lows and highs of players to watch heading into your fantasy baseball drafts.
Most of the closers drafted don't remain in the ninth inning role - unless they are a
Kenley Jansen,
Craig Kimbrel, etc. With that said, I always draft relievers with extreme caution - booting the ace closers, and drafting mid-to-lower tier arms. Basically, don't chase saves. Use the waiver wire.
Edwin Diaz continues his dominance on the West Coast for the Seattle Mariners. In his two big-league seasons, he's totaled 52 saves and 177 strikeouts in 117.2 innings pitched.
Felipe Rivero just inked a 4-year contract extension with the Pirates. Last season was his first real shot at working the ninth inning - he saved 21 games out of 23 opportunities.
Once settled into the position,
Sean Doolittle held his own as the Nationals closer - racking up 21 saves after being acquired from the Oakland Athletics.
The St. Louis Cardinals signed
Luke Gregerson to a 2- year deal over the off-season, and then officially announced he would be the closer entering the 2018 campaign.
Despite
Fernando Rodney signing with a new team (Minnesota Twins) - he can never be trusted by fantasy owners.
The Chicago Cubs will eventually use a "closer by committee" approach - but for now, it looks as if
Brandon Morrow is the first out of the bullpen in the ninth inning.