NL Closer Report: May 27

Let’s have at it.

Strong Performers

Jonathan Broxton | Los Angeles Dodgers
The Comments: Broxton has been on fire recently and saved three games this past week. He recorded 11 outs and more than half (six) were via the strikeout. His early season drought is officially over.

Heath Bell | San Diego Padres
The Comments: Bell is comfortably in third place in the National League with 13 saves. The right-hander has an outstanding strikeout rate at 12.00 K/9 and he’s succeeding despite a BABIP-allowed of .402 (thanks in part due to a LOB% of 90.6%).

Brian Wilson | San Francisco Giants
The Comments: If you thought Bell’s K-rate was nice, Wilson is fanning batters at a rate of 14.02 K/9. On the down side, his control has been off a bit and his walk rate sits at 4.15 BB/9. Wilson got in just one game this past week but whiffed all three of the batters that he faced.

Carlos Marmol | Chicago Cubs
The Comments: The closer with the most Ks in the Majors just keeps on striking out batters. Marmol has a 17.49 K/9 rate and he fanned 50% of the batters he faced this past week while also converting three save opportunities. He’s on a nice role.

Matt Lindstrom | Houston Astros
The Comments: Perhaps the biggest success story of the year, as far as NL closers are concerned, Lindstrom has come back from injury issues in ’09 to show excellent control (1.86 BB/9) in 2010, which has led to a solid ERA (1.40) and a respectable number of saves (10). He appeared in just one game this past week and converted the save; unfortunately, Houston has to have a lead for Lindstrom to have value…

Steady Performers

Francisco Rodriguez | New York Mets
The Comments: Rodriguez is used to being one of the leaders in save opportunities, but he’s had just 10 this season (and converted eight). The former Angel has showed improved control this season but his strikeout rate remains lower than it was during his prime. He’s a good closer, but no longer elite.

Francisco Cordero | Cincinnati Reds
The Comments: For pure saves value, Cordero is one of the top targets in the Majors, but he’s not offering a good ERA, strikeout rate or WHIP. He received just one save opportunity during the past week.

Billy Wagner | Atlanta Braves
The Comments: Wagner just can’t buy a save opportunity. The veteran closer has been solid this season but he’s had just seven chances. In 17 games, Wagner has a strikeout rate of 14.29 K/9. Perhaps you can buy low on the Braves closer? More opportunities should eventually come his way.

Ryan Franklin | St. Louis Cardinals
The Comments: Like a number of closers, Franklin has struggled to find opportunities lately. The veteran had no chances this past week but at least he whiffed a few hitters in non-save situations.

Chad Qualls | Arizona Diamondbacks
The Comments: The ERA is still high but Qualls’ season might be on the up-swing. The right-hander saved two games this past week and did not give up a run. He has a solid strikeout rate at 10.34 K/9 and has shown good control. Now he just needs to keep the ball in the yard.

Octavio Dotel | Pittsburgh Pirates
The Comments: Dotel has already reached double-digits in saves for just the second time since he secured 36 games in ’04. The right-hander has been pitching very well lately and has given up just one run in his last 10 appearances. He just needs to improve his control a bit…

Leo Nunez | Florida Marlins
The Comments: Florida continues to hang in tight in the National League East and Nunez’ stability has been a big help. The right-hander, though, did not have a save opportunity this past week and he’s started to get hit much harder than he was in April. Monitor him closely.

Matt Capps | Washington Nationals
The Comments: Capps continues to hold off Francisco Cordero for the MLB lead in saves but his numbers have been slipping lately. Perhaps he’s feeling pressure from the presence of Drew Storen? Capps went 1-for-2 in saves this past week and got touched up for two runs against Baltimore during his blown save on May 23.

Jose Contreras | Philadelphia Phillies
The Comments: Contreras failed to appear in a game this past week, which is a little puzzling. Lefty J.C. Romero notched a save this past week but Contreras remains the favorite for the late-game situations.

Manny Corpas | Colorado Rockies
The Comments: Corpas appeared in three games this past week and recorded two saves in as many opportunities. His strikeout rate is nothing to write home about (similar to his career rate) so keep that in mind. He does make a nice No. 2 or 3 closer in mixed leagues.

Fallen on Hard Times

Trevor Hoffman | Milwaukee Brewers
The Comments: Hoffman is taking a little time away from the closer’s role but Carlos Villanueva hasn’t taken full advantage of the opportunity. Meanwhile, rookie John Axford was given a save opportunity and he succeeded despite giving up a run in the process. Late games could continue to be nail-biters in Milwaukee for the foreseeable future.