There is one more "Closer Report" left on the regular-season schedule, so we will rank our top 10 closers for 2020 in that spot next week, but now seems like a darn good time to look back on the biggest surprises from 2019. Of course, we could spend significant time breaking down the latest news and offer a comprehensive analysis of Colorado Rockies right-hander Jairo Diaz, and whether he saves three or four wins in the final 10 or so days, but that seems like a waste.
The race for the top spot on the season Player Rater among relief pitchers remains alive between San Diego Padres right-hander Kirby Yates and Milwaukee Brewers lefty Josh Hader.
There is a good reason why I bypass the top closers in drafts and opt for aces and power, power and more power, and it is because saves are always available later in drafts, and during the season on free agency. For example -- and we have more than a few -- here are the noteworthy closers plucked by eager fantasy managers during the season, and one might notice that none of these fellows are, for baseball purposes, what we would call young.