2011 Fantasy Baseball Closer Report: Sean Burnett Emerging In Washington

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· April 8, 2011

We are a full week into the season and most teams are completing their second series. We've seen the first closer change of the year already and seen many blown saves, the most of which have come from the NL Central and the AL West. This week we're going to take a look at some of the committees whose roles have been better defined in this first week and unveil my blown save of the week. But first, lets take a look at some of the news.

Quick News

Jordan Walden takes over as the closer of the Angels after Fernando Rodney blew a save against the Royals Sunday afternoon. In 5 appearances, he has been very good, most notably with 7 strikeouts in just 4.1 innings pitched. Walden is owned in just 52.3% of ESPN leagues so he is likely available in your league and is definitely worth a pickup, especially if you previously owned Rodney. I like Walden to hang on to the job the rest of the year barring any injury, and is worth even more in keeper and dynasty leagues.

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel came out Thursday stating Brad Lidge will likely be out until the All-Star break instead of the original target time of 3-6 weeks. Jose Contreras will stay the closer at least until Lidge comes back and is doing well in what action he's seen. In 2 appearances thus far, he's gone 2 innings, struck out 3 batters and not allowed an earned run. If he stays healthy and in the closer role, you can expect 15-20 saves before Lidge returns in July. He should be
owned in every league and every format.

Andrew Bailey will get a chance to throw from the mound at some point in the next couple series, but there is no set timetable for his return yet. If he is slow to get back, he may see a second stint on the 15-day DL. In the meantime, the closer role will be split between Brian Fuentes and Grant Balfour. Fuentes will likely get the majority after Balfour blew a save in spectacular fashion against Toronto, recording no outs while allowing 2 earned runs on 2 hits.

Joel Hanrahan of the Pirates has been a pleasant surprise and is the only closer in the majors with 4 saves. In 4.1 innings pitched, he has 5 strikeouts to just 1 walk, and has only allowed 1 earned run. The Pirates are not likely to blow out many teams so Hanrahan will probably get the chance to close out every Pirates lead this season. If he can stay healthy, he could be the best buy in your draft or auction with the possibility of 30+ saves.

Closer Committees

Atlanta Braves

Top Dog: Craig Kimbrel – 2 appearances, 2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 K, 2 Saves
Second In Line: Jonny Venters – 4 appearances, 4.2 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 2 Holds

Kimbrel and Venters began spring training as a perceived 50-50 split at the closer spot, but now that the season has started manager Fredi Gonzalez came out and said he will use Kimbrel as the primary closer ahead of Venters and use Venters more in a setup role. Venters is clearly the second guy in line and has pitched very well in the innings he has gotten. Kimbrel is a high strikeout guy with a career K/9 of 17.87 and is even more valuable in keeper leagues. In leagues
that count holds, Venters is very valuable as he will contribute a high amount of holds as well as an occasional save.

Washington Nationals

Top Dog: Sean Burnett – 4 appearances, 4 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 2 Saves
Second In Line: Drew Storen – 4 appearances, 4.2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 1 Hold, 1 Loss
Hanging Around: Tyler Clippard – 4 appearances, 6 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 1 Hold, 2 Blown Saves

Sean Burnett currently holds the closer role and will continue to close as long as he is successful. Thus far he has not given up an earned run and is 2 for 2 in save attempts. Burnett has never closed before except in spot duty and has an iffy career WHIP of 1.36. The 28 year old will continue to get chances as long as he is available, and when he is not, those chances will likely go to young fireballer Drew Storen.

The Nationals had hoped Storen would be their closer this year after having a good year last year in setup and closing duties. However, Storen struggled in spring training and there have been whispers if he continues to struggle he may be sent down to the minors to get straightened out. Tyler Clippard is the other guy in play in Washington after having a great 2010 pitching in relief, racking up 11 wins and 23 holds in relief. He could easily get chances if something were to happen to Burnett or Storen.

Tampa Bay

Top Dog: Jake McGee – 4 appearances, 2.1 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
Second In Line: Kyle Farnsworth – 2 appearances, 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
Hanging Around: Joel Peralta – 3 appearances, 2.2 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K

This committee is a bit more tricky to figure out considering the Rays are 0-6 and have not encountered a save situation yet this season. The Rays came out and said they want Kyle Farnsworth to be their closer but will start the season with a committee of these 3 guys. I am not buying into the Farnsworth hype this year for the Rays, having seen him groomed to be the Cubs "closer of the future" many years ago and watching him fall on his face.

Peralta is a nice pitcher but being 34 years old and having never closed before are not qualities that are in his favor. He may get some chances early in the year but I don't see him keeping the job. I believe at the end of the year Jake McGee will be the best pitcher in that bullpen and is the only one I'd take a flier on. The 24 year old lefty is the one with the future with the Rays and if he can prove himself to be worthy of the job, he could be the Rays closer well into the future.

Blown Save of the Week

The first Blown Save of the Week goes to Fernando Rodney in what maybe his last save opportunity in a while barring a trade. In 0.1 inning pitched, he gave up 2 earned runs due to 3 walks and a hit, which tied up a game which the Royals eventually won in 13 innings. Rodney's blown save is the only one this far in the season to cause a role change, although it likely won't be the last.

Written by Jim Dingeman (@gentleman_jim) exclusively for www.thefantasyfix.com

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2011 Fantasy Baseball Closer Report: Sean Burnett Emerging In Washington