Fantasy Baseball: Top 5 Closers in the American League

May 1, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Glen Perkins (15) celebrates with catcher Kurt Suzuki (8) after beating the Chicago White Sox at Target Field. The Twins won 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Serious fantasy sports players would probably compare relief pitchers in fantasy baseball to defenses in fantasy football.

Both positions are often overlooked but are extremely important to one’s success.

It is also easier to find value at those positions on the waiver wire, which is certainly true this season.

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MCB’s fantasy baseball column this week ranks the top closers in the American League through the first month and a half of the season. Two of these closers did not have that role on Opening Day and the other started the season on the disabled list.

Not only does that show fantasy owners that great closers can be found on the waiver wire, but also that winning in fantasy baseball goes beyond drafting well.

Here are MCB’s top five fantasy baseball closers in the American League.

May 7, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher

(48) delivers a pitch during the ninth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium. New York Yankees won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

Andrew Miller, New York Yankees

Miller is probably the biggest surprise at the closer position this season. Many believed Dellin Betances would have the ninth-inning role in New York, but the smart owners realized the Yankees didn’t sign Miller to a four-year, $36 million deal to pitch the eighth inning.

To be fair to owners, the Yankees would be a team to spend $9 million on a setup man, but that isn’t the case here.

Miller has run away with his opportunity, converting all 13 of his save chances. He has allowed just three hits and eight walks with 29 strikeouts in 16 2/3 innings.

More importantly, his ERA sits at 0.00.

May 12, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers relief pitcher

(38) pitches during the game against the Minnesota Twins at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Joakim Soria, Detroit Tigers

The Detroit Tigers and great closer seems like an oxymoron, but it is true. Soria has stepped in for the injured Joe Nathan and dominated ninth innings.

If not for two runs allowed against the Cleveland Indians, Soria would be right with Miller with a 0.00 ERA. Soria owners will just have to settle for a 1.13 ERA (what a shame).

He is also 2-0 and 11-for-11 in save opportunities. Soria supports a 0.56 WHIP and has struck out 13 batters and walked just three in 16 innings.

May 7, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins relief pitcher

(15) pitches in the eighth inning against the Oakland Athletics at Target Field. The Minnesota Twins beat the Oakland Athletics 6-5. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Glen Perkins, Minnesota Twins

Perkins made the AL All-Star team two of the last three years, but he has never been mentioned among to elite closers in fantasy baseball.

This season, he is thriving with a Twins ball club that is actually handing him some leads.

He is a perfect 11-for-11 in save chances with a 1.17 ERA, 0.72 WHIP, 14 strikeouts and zero walks in 15 1/3 innings. Owners with K/BB as a category have to love his control this season.

Apr 17, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals closer

(56) delivers a pitch against the Oakland Athletics during the ninth inning at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals defeated the Athletics 6-4. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

Greg Holland, Kansas City Royals

It was tempting to place Wade Davis on this list ahead of his teammate, Greg Holland, but Davis has returned to his setup man role, so Holland makes the cut despite some rough outings in the last week.

Over his last three outings, Holland has allowed a run, walked five batters and blown a save, but the Royals still won all three of those games.

And despite the recent cold streak, likely to due to the fact he just returned from the disabled list, Holland is still 7-for-8 in save chances. He is also 1-0 with a 0.90 ERA, 1.00 WHIP in 10 innings.

Owners would just like him to improve his strikeouts-to-walks ratio. He has six of each through May 14.

Next: Enough with Hernan Perez!