2024 NL Central Closers: Ranked
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The 2024 NL Central Division is shaping up to be competitive, but don't expect any of the teams to dominate across the board. The St. Louis Cardinals lead with a Vegas win total prediction of 85.5, highlighting the division's overall modest expectations. However, one area where these teams excel is in developing their closers. Despite varying levels of prominence among these pitchers, each merits attention. With so much skill across the board, however, ranking them might be a bit challenging.
1. Devin Williams, Milwaukee Brewers
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Everyone agrees that Devin Williams has been among the top relief pitchers in baseball since the shortened 2020 season. He held down the setup role behind All-Star closer Josh Hader until the Brewers traded him to San Diego at the 2022 trade deadline. Williams was then given the keys to the closer role and has arguably excelled even more in this position. As the sole closer in 2023, Williams put up a 1.53 ERA (Earned Run Average) in 58.2 IP (Innings Pitched), notching 36 total saves. Williams stands out with his 'Airbender,' a changeup with an unusually high spin that mirrors a screwball, securing 57 of his 87 strikeouts with it. He complements it with a 94 mph four-seamer and the occasional cutter. Despite a relatively discouraging offseason, Brewers fans can find comfort in knowing their bullpen remains solid, anchored by one of the game's most elite pitchers. Williams is a top closer in all of baseball, making him an easy first choice for this list.
2. Ryan Helsley, St. Louis Cardinals
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Coming into 2023, Ryan Helsley was one of the best closing pitchers in all of baseball but missed nearly three months of the season with a forearm injury. Despite this, Helsley was still able to put up commanding stats in his 36.1 IP: a 2.45 ERA with 14 saves. This included a strong run in the final month of the season. The right-hander will look to carry this over into a full 2024 season for his Cardinals. If Helsley can get back into his regular rhythm, he will certainly, once again, be a top closer across the league. Using his 100 mph four-seamer and a powerful slider, Helsley can generate plenty of swing-and-miss out of his opponents and tally numerous strikeouts. Cardinals fans will hope to see the 2022 version of Helsley to get them back to their winning ways. The flame-throwing closer brings too much to the table to be any lower on this list. Expect another dominant season out of Helsley in 2024.
3. David Bednar, Pittsburgh Pirates
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The Pittsburgh Pirates struck gold when they acquired the underachieving relief pitcher, David Bednar, in a 2021 trade with the San Diego Padres. While Bednar hardly got big-league playing time, his stint with the Padres was bad. In San Diego, he only pitched 17 innings with a ghastly 6.75 ERA. While the Pirates undoubtedly saw potential in his minor league numbers—never finishing above a 3.00 ERA—they could not have predicted the consistent domination that Bednar brings to their bullpen. Since the beginning of the 2021 season, he has earned 61 saves in 179.2 IP, all while keeping his ERA at 2.25. Bednar’s pitch arsenal consists of a 96.6 mph four-seam fastball, his primary pitch, as well as a curveball and a splitter that still needs some work. The two-time All-Star closer, after delivering his best season, may see some slight regression. However, Bednar's consistency reassures Pirates fans of what to anticipate annually: a closer adept at managing crucial moments and fully committed to the team's success. Bednar has the potential to be a top pitcher in the league but for 2024 don’t expect him to outpitch Williams or Helsley.
4. Alexis Díaz, Cincinnati Reds
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Alexis Díaz was a huge part of the 2023 Reds’ campaign which kept them in the NL Central race until the very end. From April through August, Díaz held a 2.18 ERA across 57.1 IP. The Reds as a team fell apart in September and Díaz was no exception. He finished the season with a 3.07 ERA, a misleading figure without added context. It was an overall great season, however, out of the young right-hander, finishing fourth in the MLB in saves with 37. As the Reds aim to improve from their surprising 2023 season, so will Díaz. Armed with a mid-nineties fastball and an 87 mph slider, both used almost equally, Díaz will certainly strive to increase his K(strikeout) percentage and bring down the walk rate. Due to it being only his third big-league year and his end-of-season struggles in 2023, Díaz lands himself fourth on this list. However, still expect a strong, consistent 2024 season out of him.
5. Adbert Alzolay, Chicago Cubs
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For everything that went right for the 2023 Chicago Cubs, their bullpen was not one of them. The talent was certainly lacking, but on top of that, clear roles were rarely established—what some would accredit to poor managing. It took the Cubs until June to finally decide on who they would use to finish out close games: right-hander Adbert Alzolay. Across his five seasons with the Cubs, Alzolay has played every pitching role there is. After putting up below-average numbers as a 2021 starter, he was moved to the bullpen but suffered a right shoulder strain that kept him off the field for the majority of 2022. Coming into the 2023 season, the Cubs planned to use Alzolay as a middle-relief guy who could occasionally eat innings. However, with the bullpen’s lack of direction, he eventually saw a few save opportunities. By June, Alzolay was the guy the Cubs looked to when they needed to end a close one. From the beginning of June to the end of August, Alzolay totaled 20 saves and had a 2.70 ERA in 33.1 IP—the Cubs seemed to have found their guy. However, on September 11, Alzolay was placed on the 15-day injured list with what was described as a “right forearm strain”—a concerning injury for pitchers that can lead to Tommy John surgery. He was able to pitch one inning in the Cubs’ final series of the season, which should be some encouragement to Cubs fans. Entering 2024, Alzolay should feel much more comfortable than he would have a year prior. He finally has an established position and with the managerial switch from David Ross to Craig Counsell, he can be confident that he will be utilized in the most efficient way possible. Alzolay fell to fifth on this list, but only because the names in front of him are some of the best in the game. With his new manager and defined role, Alzolay could easily rise to the top of the charts. Cubs fans have an electric closer who also brings great energy to the clubhouse. They should be excited to see what he brings to the table in 2024!
