![Kenley Jansen looks to go back to being a dominant closer. [Image Source: Flickr | Malingering]](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2020/2/20/660x290/b_502x220x82/kenley-jansen-looks-to-go-back-to-being-a-dominant-closer-image-source-flickr-malingering_2405795.jpg "Kenley Jansen looks to go back to being a dominant closer. [Image Source: Flickr | Malingering]")
With the regular season just a little over a month away from the beginning, we have been taking a look at the projected starters at each position. After ranking the closers in the American League, let’s move on to their counterparts in the Senior Circuit.
As a subjective list, many of the players can almost be considered interchangeable as to where they are ranked. This list was especially difficult as a few are looking to rebound from 2019 seasons that were nowhere close to their standards. Depth charts were taken from Fangraphs.
Kirby Yates, Padres
What a dominant 2019 season it was for Yates (finished ninth in NL Cy Young voting) as he posted a stellar 1.19 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, saved a MLB-leading 41 games, and struck out 101 batters in 60.2 innings.
Kirby Yates up close and personal tossing a bullpen this morning In @Padres camp. @ForbesSports pic.twitter.com/NZ71dQgn9B
— Barry M. Bloom (@Boomskie) February 17, 2020
Josh Hader, Brewers
Striking out an absurd 16.4 batters per nine innings last year (and 15.8 in 2018), Hader is as lights-out as they come, but his one bugaboo is the long ball (15 home runs allowed in 75.2 innings in 2019).
Josh Hader threw first live batting practice session of spring today. Have to take my word for it. Not a lot of contact was made. pic.twitter.com/c93hlCmLtX
— Tom (@Haudricourt) February 20, 2020
