Chicago White Sox David Robertson: Top 10 Closer in 2016

In his first year as the Chicago White Sox closer, David Robertson held up his end of the bargain. With little competition for his job, he’s a top closer in 2016.

The Chicago White Sox 2015 season was not the players, ownership and fans expected. They finished 76-86, fourth in the American League Central. The team made some big improvements in the offseason and is ready to come back strong this season. One position that did not need upgrading is the closer position. David Robertson succeeded in his first year as the closer and will be top 10 in 2016. 

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Robertson spent six years in the New York Yankees bullpen, mostly as a set-up man. He had a 2.76 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 428 strikeouts and eight saves in 329 innings. He then got the opportunity at the closing job in 2014 when Mariano Rivera retired at the end of the 2013 season. In that season, he recorded 39 saves with a 3.08 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 96 strikeouts.

David Robertson then became a free agent and signed a four-year deal with the White Sox. In his first season with Chicago, he had 34 saves with a 3.41 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 86 strikeouts in 63.1 innings. He allowed seven home runs and 24 earned runs (22 in 2014). He finished 11th on the Player Rater among closers, between Kenley Jansen and Francisco Rodriguez.

While he pitched in at least 60 innings in every season since 2010, I’m going to compare 2014 and last season because of his role. His strikeout rate dropped but so did his walk rate, which helped his overall K:BB ratio. However, his batted ball numbers were not impressive in Chicago. He had a 30.2 line drive and 34.2 fly ball rates. His hard-hit contact rate rose over four percent from 28.1 to 32.2.

Three of the four AL Central opponents finished in the top 11 in batting average and on-base percentage. If David Robertson can get more batters to swing at pitches out of the zone or induce more ground balls, something he hasn’t done much throughout his career, then his ratio stats will drop drastically and become a more attractive fantasy option.

Next: Brett Lawrie: 2016 Value Pick

David Robertson was a 10th-round pick in ESPN leagues last season. With the depth at other positions and the ability to find saves later, I’m moving Robertson (and other closers) down in my rankings. Though, with the lack of real competition for his job, Robertson is clearly the man in the White Sox bullpen. He has the ability to get back in the top 10, and possibly make it into the top five.

Projections: 3.15 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 76 strikeouts, 29 saves

Draft: Round 11