With the regular season just a little over a month away from beginning, we have been taking a look at the projected starters at each position. After ranking most offensive starters, let’s take a look at the closers in the American League.
As a subjective list, many of the players can almost be considered interchangeable as to where they are ranked. Depth charts were taken from Fangraphs.
Aroldis Chapman, Yankees
During Chapman’s three seasons with the Yankees, he has struck out an absurd 14 hitters per nine innings and owns a 2.61 ERA with a 1.10 WHIP.
More of the All-Star team just made up of players who ripped Rob Manfred:
— Jason Smith (@howaboutafresca) February 19, 2020
OF - Mike Trout, Cody Bellinger, Aaron Judge
3B - Kris Bryant
SS - Gleyber Torres
1B - Justin Turner
DH - Michael Conforto
SP - Mike Clevinger
RP - Aroldis Chapman/Sean Doolittle
Brandon Workman, Red Sox
Imagine if Workman could limit the walks (5.9 per nine innings in 2019, was 3.0 in 2017-18) as last year, he stifled hitters to the tune of a .123 batting average allowed and finished with 104 strikeouts in 71.2 innings.
Brandon Workman has earned the right to enter 2020 as the #RedSox closer.https://t.co/VcRXuOtCor
— BoSox Injection (@BoSoxInjection) February 14, 2020
Liam Hendriks, Athletics
The 31-year-old Hendriks was a breakout star in 2019 as he owned a stellar 1.80 ERA (career 4.72 entering last year) and struck out 124 batters in 85 innings.
Mark Canha, Liam Hendriks, and Matt Olson picking out the perfect glove! #TeamRawlings #RawlingsGloveDay pic.twitter.com/eaWHCwnpLY
— Rawlings Sports (@RawlingsSports) February 18, 2020