February 28, 2018
Atlanta Braves – Incumbent righty Arodys Vizcaino is the best bet to start out as the Atlanta closer this year, but we’re very excited to see if AJ Minter can challenge for the job early on in the season, or maybe even during Spring Training. Minter, 24, is the best Atlanta relief prospect since Craig Kimbrel, and dominated hitters in his late-season call up last season (15 IP, 26 Ks(!), 2 BBs). We’ll keep a close eye on the young lefty over the course of the next month to see if he has a shot to win the job out of the gate, as some are already predicting. (You may recall that Kimbrel was named closer out of Spring Training for the Braves after just a cup of coffee the previous year, so this move wouldn’t be without precedent for Atlanta.) Jose Ramirez is the likely #3 here, while Dan Winkler is another arm that could contribute.
Starting 2018 hierarchy: Vizcaino | Minter | Ramirez.
Holds candidates: Minter | Ramirez | Winkler.
Miami Marlins – Brad Ziegler starts off as the Marlins closer in 2018, despite Don Mattingly seemingly acknowledging that Kyle Barraclough is probably the best arm in the bullpen. Barraclough is the only one who could challenge Ziegler for the role in the early going, but we’re guessing that won’t happen unless the submariner has a dreadful start to the season. Drew Steckenrider and Nick Wittgren both averaged more than a strikeout per inning last year, and are your holds candidates behind Barraclough. Veteran Junichi Tazawa may also have a late-inning role, though we suspect his best days are behind him.
Starting 2018 hierarchy: Ziegler | Barraclough | Steckenrider.
Holds candidates: Barraclough | Steckenrider | Wittgren.
New York Mets – The Mets have been hinting that they may employ a closer-by-committee approach, with new manager Mickey Callaway promising a more progressive usage of both his starters and relievers. So for now we’ll start them off with the dreaded asterisk, though our feeling is that Jeurys Familia is still likely to get the vast majority of save opportunities. AJ Ramos, acquired in the middle of last season, is the clear handcuff given his past experience, while offseason acquisition Anthony Swarzak will be the 7th inning man. Jerry Blevins, likely the only lefty in the Mets bullpen, should again be among the league leaders in appearances and is a good candidate for cheap holds.
Starting 2018 hierarchy: *Familia | Ramos | Swarzak.
* = closer-by-committee
Holds candidates: Ramos | Swarzak | Blevins.
Philadelphia Phillies – Like Mickey Callaway in New York, Philly’s new skipper, Gabe Kapler, has taken off the K-Swiss and suggested that he may employ his best reliever, Hector Neris, all over the place. For his part, Neris is on board with the decision (note: original story source is here, but is paywalled), so there’s a chance that the plan could stick, meaning Tommy Hunter or Pat Neshek could potentially get save chances. Luis Garcia and Adam Morgan round out the Phillies’ top five.
Starting 2018 hierarchy: *Neris | Hunter | Neshek.
* = closer-by-committee
Holds candidates: Hunter | Neshek | Garcia.
Washington Nationals – The NL East favorites have made camels a prominent part of their preseason prep, but go into 2018 with basically the same bullpen that they ended the season with last year, with three mid-2017 acquisitions leading the way. Sean Doolittle, who took over the closer role last year after being acquired from Oakland, will start out in that role for the Nats in 2018, while Ryan Madson handles the 8th inning. Brandon Kintzler could also spell Doolittle occasionally. These three look like the clear cut leaders of this bullpen, with veterans Shawn Kelley and Joaquin Benoit also being potential contributors in the late innings. Last season’s closer in the early going, Koda Glover, reported to Spring Training with a sore shoulder.
Starting 2018 hierarchy: Doolittle | Madson | Kintzler.
Holds candidates: Madson | Kintzler | Kelley.
