Top 10 Relief Pitchers - Fantasy Baseball Draft Guide 2009

For baseball fans, players, and enthusiasts, the baseball season will soon be on its way. Here is the Fantasy Baseball Draft Guide 2009's Top 10 Positions Battle for Relief Pitchers. This is based off estimates of players' performance and also several other factors, which will be discussed within the guide.

#1 Relief Pitchers - Fantasy Baseball 2009: Player #42, New York Yankees

Mariano Rivera. He plays for the New York Yankees. He has an earned run average of 1.40, 39 saves, 77 strike outs, and a whip of 0.67. With his last 3 years with the New York Yankees earning a 1.000 in fielding percentage, Mariano Rivera only has to continue his fielding excellence and avoid over 15 earned runs to improve this season.

#2 Relief Pitchers - Fantasy Baseball 2009: Player #75, New York Mets

Francisco Rodriguez. Playing for the New York Mets for the first time, Francisco Rodriguez has an earned run average of 2.24, 62 saves, 77 strike outs, and a whip of 1.29. He's had only 3 errors in 6 years of baseball, and could stand to pitch a few more innings in 2009. If he can keep his earned runs below 14, he could possibly have his best season ever. He may need to play fewer games.

#3 Relief Pitchers - Fantasy Baseball 2009: Player #48, Kansas City Royals

Joakim Soria. He plays for the Kansas City Royals. Joakim Soria has an earned run average of 1.60, with 42 saves, 66 strike outs, and a whip of 0.86. Only one error so far, and he's kept his earned runs very low. Expect a few more strike outs for 2009.

#4 Relief Pitchers - Fantasy Baseball 2009: Player #58, Boston Red Sox

Jonathan Papelbon. Playing for the Boston Red Sox, Jonathan Papelbon has an earned run average of 2.34, 41 saves, 77 strike outs, and a whip of 0.95. Expect fewer errors with more games played for 2009. Also, expect fewer hits and runs for Jonathan Papelbon to improve his pitching.

#5 Relief Pitchers - Fantasy Baseball 2009: Player #36, Minnesota Twins

Joe Nathan. He plays for the Minnesota Twins. Joe Nathan has an earned run average of 1.33, 39 saves, 74 strike outs, and a whip of 0.90. Despite an errorless pitching record with the San Francisco Giants from 1999 to 2003, Joe Nathan has managed to improve the number of successful double plays with the Minnesota Twins as well as his earned run average. Fewer errors is critical to regaining a 1.000 fielding percentage.

#6 Relief Pitchers - Fantasy Baseball 2009: Player #47, Houston Astros

Jose Valverde. Playing for the Houston Astros. Jose Valverde has an earned run average of 3.38, 44 saves, 83 strike outs, and a whip of 1.18. He's only had 3 errors in 5 years of pitching, and has played over 70 innings in 2008. Since he's been pitching for the Houston Astros, he's not had a held game. He could work on reducing the number of blown saves and earned runs for 2009.

#7 Relief Pitchers - Fantasy Baseball 2009: Player #54, Philadelphia Phillies

Brad Lidge. He plays for the Philadelphia Phillies. With an earned run average of 1.95, 41 saves, and 92 strike outs, Brad Lidge also has a whip of 1.23. He's only had 3 errors in 6 years, and his pitching with the Philadelphia Phillies has been great. If he can keep his earned run average below 2.00, he will improve.

#8 Relief Pitchers - Fantasy Baseball 2009: Player for the Cleveland Indians

Kerry Wood. He plays for the Cleveland Indians. Kerry Woods has an earned run average of 3.26, 34 saves, and 84 strike outs, with a whip of 1.09. One of the few relief pitchers that bats, Kerry Wood has had less than 7 at bats since 2006. In 2006, he had a batting average of .500. His career fielding percentage is .955, with 3 different seasons with a 1.000 fielding percentage. 2008 saw Kerry Wood playing a career-high number of games at 65. With a few more innings played and a few less hits and runs, his earned run average may decrease, giving him his best pitching season in his career.

#9 Relief Pitchers - Fantasy Baseball 2009: Player #58, Oakland Athletics

Justin Duchscherer. Playing for the Oakland Athletics. Justin Duchscherer has an earned run average of 2.54, with 10-8 win-loss, and 95 strike outs. He has a a whip of 1.00. With a career fielding percentage as pitcher at .966, he now has the experience to start more games and stop from blowing any saves.

#10 Relief Pitchers - Fantasy Baseball 2009: Player for the Boston Red Sox

Brian Fuentes. Playing for the Los Angeles Angels. Brian Fuentes has an earned run average of 2.73, 30 saves, and 82 strike outs, with a whip of 1.10. Last season was his best pitching and fielding season, and expect the pitching and fielding for the Los Angeles Angels in 2009 to reflect that.

Sources:

1. http://games.espn.go.com/flb/playerrater?.