2017 FANTASY BASEBALL CLOSER RANKINGS

Here are the first look at the 2017 fantasy baseball closer rankings but as always this is a fluid situation.

1.  Aroldis Chapman:  Simply the best but slightly concerned his arm could bounce a little off insane postseason workload.
2.  Kenley Jansen:  Only thing that has ever held back Jansen is health.  Has the insane K rate down pat.
3.  Zach Britton:  Pushed his K/9 to one per inning each of last two seasons and 0.54 ERA in 2016 was one of the statistics of the entire season.
4.  Seung Hwan Oh:  Yes he is legit.
5.  Wade Davis:  Truly remarkable dominance since becoming a closer but MAJOR elbow red flags,  Too risky at such a lofty price.
6.  Mark Melancon:  Doesn't have the K rates of the guys above him but Melancon has been as good as any closer the last three seasons.
7.  Craig Kimbrel:  Some ominous signs developing here such as a growing ill health and a BB/9 that somehow went over 5.00 last season.  I won't tough him.
8.  Alex Colome:  Lump Colome in with Hwan Oh as new closing stars on the block.  Has a high risk of being traded at deadline though and possibly into a setup role so know that before paying.
9.  Edwin Diaz:  Meet my new favorite closer for 2017.  Truly silly K rate.
10. Roberto Osuna:  Gives up some home runs but Osuna has logged ERA's under 3.00 first two seasons.
11. Cody Allen:  Always struggled in April but Terry Francona sticks with him.  87 K's in 68 innings last season show how potent Allen can be.
12. Kelvin Herrera:  Takes over full-time at closer for the Royals with Davis in Chicago with the Cubs.
13. David Roberston:  Proceed with caution here as Robertson's ERA has gone over 3.40 each of last two seasons and he gives up a lot of home runs.
14. Ken Giles:  Still a bit rough around the edges but Giles has arguably the best fastball among closers outside of Chapman and Jansen.
15. Jeurys Familia:  Likely faces a one month suspension so back Familia up with Addison Reed.
16. A.J. Ramos:  Walks way too many batters which makes any Ramos closing appearance dicey but can't argue with 2,81 ERA and high K rate.  Watch for Kyle Barraclough too.
17. Francisco Rodriguez:  Continues to lose velocity and Rodriguez is now a home run waiting to happen.  Could be out of job by June.  Avoid.
18. Shawn Kelly:  Right now it is Kelly who is in line to close for Washington but Greg Holland could be signed by the time you read this.
19. Adam Ottavino:  Big arm and always dominates when healthy.  Watch for heat from Carlos Estevez though.
20. Raisel Iglesias:  Could grow into the closer role this season for Cincy as Iglesias logged a 1.98 ERA and high K rate once moved to bullpen in 2016.
21. Cam Bedrosian:  No one knows how the Angels bullpen situation will shake out but Bedrosian showed before getting hurt last season that he has skills.
22. Arodys Vizcaino:  Has the talent edge over Jim Johnson but maybe not the mental strength.
23. Glen Perkins:  Who knows with his health and declining fastball.
24. Tony Watson:  Didn't exactly lock things down after becoming Pirates closer last season.
25. Sam Dyson:  Watch for Matt Bush here as Dyson doesn't have the K rate to keep closing games.
26. Hector Neris:  Move Neris up about ten spots if he beats out Jeanmar Gomez to close for the Phils this season.  Love the arm.
27. Carter Capps:  This is me saying it will be Capps who will close for the Padres over Brandon Maurer.  Maurer had a 4.52 ERA last season and Capps was the strikeout wonder before undergoing Tommy John.  Capps could be a top ten guy easy if he gets the gig.
28. Ryan Madson:  Was not impressed by Madson in the least last season and Sean Doolittle could steal it by the end of spring training.
29. Neftali Feliz:  Could close in Milwaukee but has to stay healthy and prove he is back to being a strikeout weapon.
30. Fernando Rodney:  Give me a break.