SI Vault
 
Relievers
DAVID SABINO
March 20, 2006
Fewer than half the closers on this list are likely to hold the job all year
Decrease font Decrease font
Enlarge font Enlarge font
March 20, 2006

Relievers

Fewer than half the closers on this list are likely to hold the job all year

View CoverRead All Articles
Print This PRINT E-mail This EMAIL Most Popular MOST POPULAR SHARE SHARE
W SV K WHIP ERA
1. AL Mariano Rivera, Yankees 7 43 80 0.87 1.38
2. AL Francisco Rodriguez, Angels 2 45 91 1.14 2.67
3. NL Billy Wagner, Mets 4 38 87 0.84 1.51
4. NL Chad Cordero, Nationals 2 47 61 0.97 1.82 Though not overpowering, he was majors' save leader in first full season as a closer.
5. AL Joe Nathan, Twins 7 43 94 0.97 2.70
6. AL Huston Street, A's 5 23 72 1.01 1.72
7. NL Brad Lidge, Astros 4 42 103 1.15 2.29 Averaged 13.2 strikeouts per nine innings last season, highest rate in majors; has 260 K's over last two seasons.
8. NL Trevor Hoffman, Padres 1 43 54 1.11 2.97
9. AL B.J. Ryan, Blue Jays 1 36 100 1.14 2.43
10. AL Francisco Cordero, Rangers 3 37 79 1.32 3.39
11. AL Bob Wickman, Indians 0 45 41 1.26 2.47
12. NL Armando Benitez, Giants 2 19 23 1.37 4.50
13. NL Derrick Turnbow, Brewers 7 39 64 1.08 1.74
14. NL Eric Gagne, Dodgers 1 8 22 0.98 2.70
15. NL Tom Gordon, Phillies 5 2 69 1.09 2.57 Back to closing after serving as Yanks' setup man for two years, he's had more than 12 saves twice in his 16-year career.
16. NL Jason Isringhausen, Cardinals 1 39 51 1.19 2.14
17. AL Keith Foulke, Red Sox 5 15 34 1.55 5.91
18. AL Bobby Jenks, White Sox 1 6 50 1.25 2.75 Four saves in five postseason opportunities, but he's just 25 and has thrown only 391/3 regular-season innings.
19. NL Ryan Dempster, Cubs 5 33 89 1.43 3.13
20. AL Todd Jones, Tigers 1 40 62 1.03 2.10
21. NL Jose Valverde, Diamondbacks 3 15 75 1.07 2.44
22. AL Eddie Guardado, Mariners 2 36 48 1.19 2.72
23. NL Brian Fuentes, Rockies 2 31 91 1.25 2.91
24. NL Mike Gonzalez, Pirates 1 3 58 1.32 2.70
25. AL Chris Ray, Orioles 1 0 43 1.28 2.66
26. NL David Weathers, Reds 7 15 61 1.29 3.94 Part of a closer-by-committee that includes Todd Coffey, Kent Mercker and Ryan Wagner, he should get a majority of the saves.
27. NL Chris Reitsma, Braves 3 15 42 1.27 3.93
28. AL Mike MacDougal, Royals 5 21 72 1.32 3.33
29. NL Joe Borowski, Marlins 1 0 27 1.08 4.47
30. NL Dan Miceli, Devil Rays 1 0 19 1.75 5.89

[This article contains a table. Please see hardcopy of magazine or PDF.]


SPOTLIGHT

Huston Street

After learning he had been voted the AL Rookie of the Year last fall, Street got this reaction from his father, James, a decorated athlete himself as quarterback of the 1969 national champion Texas Longhorns: "Now, what are you going to do to get better?" Considering Huston is only 22 and will begin this season as the A's closer--he took over for the injured Octavio Dotel last May and finished 5-1 with a 1.72 ERA and 23 saves in 27 opportunities--he should only get better. Now he's developing another pitch. Already tough to hit with his wicked sidearm delivery, Street has been working on a changeup, which could be devastating for batters when mixed with his darting fastball and sharp slider. "He could have three solid out pitches," says one scout, "which makes him pretty much unhittable."

DEEP SLEEPERS

TRAVIS BOWYER, Marlins The former Twins farmhand was 23 for 23 in save chances in Triple A in '05, but he'll have to beat out journeyman Joe Borowski for the closer's job or work as a setup man.

CHAD ORVELLA, Devil Rays The first change in closers this season could have Orvella taking over for well-traveled Dan Miceli. Orvella had a 1.22 ERA in 111 minor league innings over the last three seasons.

ANDREW SISCO, Royals Keep an eye on this 6'10" southpaw, a Rule 5 pickup from the Cubs in late 2004. The 23-year-old had 76 strikeouts in 751/3 innings as a rookie last year.

1