St. Louis Cardinals Trevor Rosenthal: 2016 No. 1 Closer?

Two years as the St. Louis Cardinals closer and Trevor Rosenthal is one of the best in the league. He’s entering his prime and can be the No. 1 closer.

The St. Louis Cardinals are one of the best organizations in the league. While the offense isn’t at the level it was in previous years, the team was still able to win 100 games mostly because of the starting rotation and bullpen. One of the anchors of the pitching staff was closer Trevor Rosenthal. With another year under his belt, he has the skills to finish as the No. 1 closer at the end of 2016. 

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Rosenthal spent the first two years of his career as a solid piece of the bullpen. He went 2-6 with a 2.66 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 133 strikeouts and three saves in 98 innings. He had some save chances as then-closer Jason Motte underwent Tommy John surgery on May 3.

With Motte not fully recovered, Rosenthal was named as the Cardinals’ closer for the 2014 season. The season began on the wrong foot. He had a 4.10 ERA, 35 strikeouts and 16 saves in his first 25 games. From June 3 to the end of the season, he had a 2.66 ERA, 52 strikeouts and 29 saves. It was a good season, not spectacular though. He walked 42 batters and a career-high 36.8 fly ball percentage.

Last season was a big turn around. As the fifth closer drafted in fantasy leagues, Trevor Rosenthal was worth the ninth-round pick. He finished sixth on the Player Rater with a 2.10 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 83:25 K:BB ratio and 48 saves. He finished second in saves among all closers. He was voted to the All-Star game and finished 17th among the National League MVP voting.

Trevor Rosenthal had a 3.28 BB/9, which a big improvement from 2014. His 45.8 ground ball rate and 26.4 hard hit percentage were the second-highest of his career. He settled down after early and went on a 23.2 scoreless streak from May 5 to July 3. While his 68.2 innings were the least since becoming a full-time reliever, he made the most of his time on the mound.

Next: San Francisco Giants 2016 Fantasy Preview

Trevor Rosenthal is currently ranked as a top-10 closer. Some experts have him in the top five. He is my No. 5 closer entering the 2016 season. He will turn 26 in May and the ceiling is so high for this year and for the future. The Cardinals have some veterans, but are rebuilding in the process with some of the young talent on the roster. The starting rotation and especially the bullpen don’t have as many question marks. Having a solid closer like Rosenthal on your roster will take some pressure off of your shoulders when drafting.

Projections: 3-3, 2.58 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 78 strikeouts, 38 saves

Draft: Round 9