Statistical rankings are not up for debate, both in MLB and in any other aspect.
If you are ranking players by most home runs in a specific season, for example, there is not much room for error.
Now, if you are ranking the best closers for the 2024 season, it becomes a subjective exercise based on empirical evidence and data.
Yes, we use stats and facts to support our ranking, but it’s still subjective.
FOX Sports’ Rowan Kavner ranked the top-ten closers entering the 2024 campaign.
New York Mets stopper Edwin Diaz got the first spot, and it’s hard to argue with that to be honest.
Cleveland Guardians fireman Emmanuel Clase appears in the ranking as well, in the fifth spot.
In the end, that ranking is not far from reality, given the fact he had a career-worst 3.22 ERA in 2023.
Ranking the top 10 closing pitchers for 2024 ⚾️👀 pic.twitter.com/9manD2ZAfu
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 6, 2024
Yes, we know that 3.22 ERA is actually not a bad ERA, but it’s a tad high for an elite closer and we can all agree that Clase wasn’t at his absolute sharpest in 2023.
However, it’s important to note that Clase has the potential to be in the top two, even in the top spot at his peak and depending on Diaz, of course.
Let’s just say he has best-closer-in-the-AL ceiling, and he does.
This is a pitcher who has 86 saves in the last two years, and one that posted a 1.29 ERA in 2021 and a 1.36 ERA in 2022.
He will turn 26 this month, so he is still entering his prime.
Clase could be much higher on this list a year from now.
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