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

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