RESEARCH: Can we still forecast saves?
Feb 27 2013
The 2012 season was memorable for closers and their owners. Not so much for their successes but for performance meltdowns and season-ending injuries that threw the category into disarray in many leagues.
Start with the injuries. Six of the top 10 projected saves leaders (35 saves or more) suffered injuries that cost them all or part of the season: Mariano Rivera (RHP, NYY), Drew Storen (RHP, WAS), Brian Wilson (RHP, FAN), Joakim Soria (RHP, TEX) Ryan Madson (RHP, LAA), and Sergio Santos (RHP, TOR). When the last ER had closed and the last suture healed, these six closers combined for a total of 10 saves in 2012.
Then there were the collapses. “Sure things” like Heath Bell (RHP, ARI), Jordan Walden (RHP, ATL) and Brandon League...
Almost!
You’re just a few clicks away from accessing this feature and hundreds more throughout the year that have a singular goal in mind: Winning your league. Subscribe to BaseballHQ.com here!
Already a subscriber? Sign in here
More From Research
The pitching landscape has shifted yet again, and our Pure Quality Start metric undergoes a minor shift to level-set the results.
Nov 28 2023 1:01am
Nov 28 2023 1:01am
With the new pitch clock we examine who the clock may impact and how the clock may or may not impact pitcher performance.
Feb 23 2023 1:05am
Feb 23 2023 1:05am
Several years have passed since the original article. It's time for an update and a look at the initial 2021 list.
Jun 17 2021 12:04am
Jun 17 2021 12:04am
The elite rate at which Dansby Swanson produced 95+ mph exit velocity in 2019 suggests that he's an overlooked breakout target.
Jun 15 2020 1:05am
Jun 15 2020 1:05am
Nick Pivetta gave up less very hard contact in 2019 than you might think. Could it be a precursor to a rebound season?
Jun 9 2020 1:05am
Jun 9 2020 1:05am
