Baltimore Orioles: Is Zach Britton the Best Closer in Baseball?

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Baltimore Orioles reliever Zach Britton has quietly been one of the most effective closers in baseball over the past few years. How does he stack up against some of the best in the game today?

For over a decade, there was only one answer as to who was the best closer in baseball: Mariano Rivera. After Rivera’s retirement following the 2013 season, that question became much more open. For some time, it was Craig Kimbrel, then it was Aroldis Chapman. As of now, nobody really knows who the best closer in baseball is.

For the last three seasons, Baltimore Orioles closer Zach Britton has been highly consistent, averaging 35 saves a year. In 2016, Britton is set to easily surpass that mark, as he has 33 saves through August 4.

Even though Britton has been so consistent through the last three seasons, he is almost never talked abut when discussing the best closers in baseball. It always appears to be the same two players in that debate, Kimbrel and Chapman. In 2014, Britton’s best year in which he recorded 37 saves, the Orioles won 96 games, and Britton was the heart and soul of the Baltimore bullpen.

The Orioles are often talked about for their lackluster starting rotation, and therefore Britton never gets the credit he deserves. Over the last three years, Britton has been a top closer in baseball. Has he been the best? Let’s compare Britton to four of baseball’s best: Alex Colome, David Robertson, Kimbrel and Chapman.

Next: Alex Colome

Alex Colome

Colome came out of the blue in 2016, yet has proven to be an elite closer. Even on a sub-.500 team like the Tampa Bay Rays, Colome has managed to be elite. Colome has recorded the save for over half of the Tampa Bay’s 44 wins.

Before becoming the full-time closer for the Rays, Colome was a regular reliever. He pitched under 40 innings his first two years in the majors, but in 2015 he pitched 109.2 innings with a 3.94 ERA. Sensing 2016 was going to be a rough year, Ray manager Kevin Cash handed the closer role to the now 27-year-old.

Compared to Britton, Colome is less experienced, and has fewer saves this year. Yes, Colome plays for a much worse team, and yes, he has accounted for a dramatic amount of their wins. That said, Britton has pitched much more, as he has accounted for 37 of Baltimore’s 61 wins.

Colome is becoming elite in terms of closers, but in no way is he at Britton’s level yet. Keep in mind that Colome is tied for third in the majors with 25 saves this year, and is very much so on the rise.

Next: David Robertson

David Robertson

David Robertson left the New York Yankees after the 2014 season and has since been the full-time closer for the Chicago White Sox.

Last year, his first with the White Sox, Robertson recorded 34 saves with a 3.41 ERA; too high for a closer. Those 34 saves aided Chicago in 34 of 76 wins. Robertson pitched in 60 games, yet had pitched more in recent seasons with the Yankees. On top of that, Robertson was throwing less per out in his first year with the White Sox than in 2013 with New York.

Robertson is simply not consistent enough to be on par with Britton. While Britton’s career ERA is much higher than Robertson’s, Britton is hindered by years like 2011 that do not reflect who he is now. Britton’s 0.59 ERA in 2016 is miles better than Robertson’s 3.41. Also, Britton has pitched five more games than the White Sox closer in 2016. This means more opportunities for Britton to raise his ERA, which did not happen.

Over the course of their careers, David Robertson probably has had the better career. However, as of right now, Britton is drastically better because he is much more consistent, and gives up far fewer runs. Yes, David Robertson is elite. No, he is not better than Britton.

Next: Craig Kimbrel

Craig Kimbrel

Craig Kimbrel is the only closer in baseball today who has a remote shot at Rivera’s record of 652 saves. He may be the only one who has a chance at that record for a long time. Kimbrel is only 28 years old, and he has 243 saves. While he is not likely to break Rivera’s record, he will probably end up with around 500 career saves.

In 2013 with the Atlanta Braves, Kimbrel had 50 saves. At that point, just after Rivera retired, he was the best. His near 100 mph fastball was untouchable and looked a lot faster than it really was.

This season, his first with the Boston Red Sox, Kimbrel had knee surgery. Missing around a month completely destroyed his chances of being the 2016 saves leader. Now that he is back, however, he is back with vengeance.

Britton has never had over 40 career saves. In 2016, with 33 saves through very early August, it seems likely Britton will get to 40, and possibly 50. That said, Britton is not better than Kimbrel based on projections, but the way they go after hitters.

Kimbrel’s best way to get out of trouble is to throw you a 100 mph fastball. You know what is coming. When Britton is in a rough situation, the hitter does not know what to expect. Britton has so many ways of attacking the hitter that there is no way a hitter can look at him and know what is coming next.

Next: Aroldis Chapman

Aroldis Chapman

The hardest thrower in the major leagues makes a strong case to be the best closer in the game. There is hardly anyone in the majors who has a read on Chapman. His flaming 100+ mph fastball as well as around 90 mph slider is absolutely deadly.

This is the first challenge that Britton has faced in this countdown. Chapman has eleven fewer saves then Britton, but the current Chicago Cubs closer was suspended 30 games while with the Yankees earlier this season. With a close enough ERA, better pitches, and more fear to hitters, it seems Britton has hit a wall.

Chapman’s 1.63 ERA is certainly low enough for a high level closer. Chapman is also not known for blowing saves, but giving up worthless hits in the ninth inning. As mentioned, his fastball and slider are near untouchable. Finally, when a hitter steps into the batter’s box versus Aroldis Chapman, they fear what is coming their way. While Kimbrel and Chapman have similar velocity, there is something about Chapman’s reputation on the mound that makes him far more intimidating.

Next: Conclusion

Conclusion

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Looking back at what we discovered, we can easily proclaim Britton as an elite closer in the major leagues. His consistency, diversity of pitches and speeds and incredible amount of saves compared to his team’s overall win total rank him extremely high.

However, Britton has one major hurdle to climb over: Aroldis Chapman. Britton’s velocity has probably peaked at 28 years old. While it may be slightly higher, for all intents and purposes it has peaked. Chapman’s 100 mph fastball and 90 mph slider are two of the most deadly pitches in baseball history, right up there with Rivera’s cutter.

Compared to other elite closers in baseball like the ones covered here, Britton is most of the time proving to be a better closer. There is no doubt the Orioles closer will be a staple in their bullpen for years and pennant chases to come.

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Overall, Britton will be atop this list for a while, but he may never be able to top the velocity and intimidation factor that Chapman posses.

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