MLB Saves Leaders in 2016
Professional baseball has long been one of the most popular sport in the United States and around the world. Every year, Major League Baseball (MLB) brings us some of the most exciting and thrilling moments on the diamond. One particular statistic that MLB followers always keep their eyes on is the saves leader. So, who led MLB in saves in 2016?
Andrew Miller of the Cleveland Indians
The leader in saves in 2016 was Andrew Miller of the Cleveland Indians. Miller, a left-handed pitcher, had a dominant 2016 season, recording an impressive 36 saves in 50 appearances. His total was the most in the American League and the second most in the majors.
Miller was a key member of the Indians’ pitching staff in 2016, and his ability to close out games was a major factor in the team’s success. Miller finished the year with a 1.45 ERA and a 0.68 WHIP, as well as striking out 14.9 batters per nine innings.
Aroldis Chapman of the New York Yankees
Coming in second in the majors in saves in 2016 was Aroldis Chapman of the New York Yankees. Chapman, a flame-throwing left-hander, recorded a total of 33 saves in 59 appearances. His total was the most in the National League and the second most in the majors.
Chapman was an integral part of the Yankees’ pitching staff in 2016, and his ability to close out games was a major factor in the team’s success. Chapman finished the year with a 2.01 ERA and a 0.83 WHIP, as well as striking out 15.7 batters per nine innings.
Zach Britton of the Baltimore Orioles
Rounding out the top three in saves in the majors in 2016 was Zach Britton of the Baltimore Orioles. Britton, a left-handed pitcher, recorded a total of 47 saves in 63 appearances. His total was the most in the American League and the third most in the majors.
Britton was an important member of the Orioles’ pitching staff in 2016, and his ability to close out games was a major factor in the team’s success. Britton finished the year with a 0.54 ERA and a 0.84 WHIP, as well as striking out 8.4 batters per nine innings.
Additional Notable Saves Leaders in 2016
In addition to the top three saves leaders in the majors in 2016, there were several other notable players who led the way in the category. Here is a list of the top 10 saves leaders in the majors in 2016:
- Andrew Miller (Cleveland Indians) – 36 saves
- Aroldis Chapman (New York Yankees) – 33 saves
- Zach Britton (Baltimore Orioles) – 47 saves
- Mark Melancon (Washington Nationals) – 47 saves
- Kenley Jansen (Los Angeles Dodgers) – 47 saves
- Seung Hwan Oh (St. Louis Cardinals) – 19 saves
- Wade Davis (Chicago Cubs) – 27 saves
- Jeurys Familia (New York Mets) – 51 saves
- Craig Kimbrel (Boston Red Sox) – 31 saves
- Dellin Betances (New York Yankees) – 12 saves
The Importance of Saves
Saves are an important statistic in Major League Baseball, as they represent a pitcher’s ability to close out a game. A player who is able to record a save is often seen as one of the most valuable members of a team’s pitching staff.
The ability to close out games is often seen as a sign of a pitcher’s mental toughness, as it requires a great deal of focus and determination. Furthermore, it is often the pitcher who is put in the most pressure-filled situations, as the outcome of the game is often dependent on their performance.
The Future of MLB Saves
In recent years, the importance of saves has increased in Major League Baseball, as teams are increasingly looking to their bullpens to find ways to win games. As teams continue to focus on the bullpen, it is likely that the saves leader will continue to be an important statistic in the MLB.
Furthermore, with the emergence of new pitching strategies, such as the “opener” and the “reliever-by-committee” approach, it is likely that the saves leader in the MLB will begin to change. While the traditional closer may still be the most prominent in the MLB, there are likely to be new strategies and new types of pitchers who will emerge as the saves leader in the future.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the leader in saves in the Major League Baseball in 2016 was Andrew Miller of the Cleveland Indians. Miller recorded an impressive 36 saves in 50 appearances, the most in the American League and the second most in the majors.
In addition to Miller, Aroldis Chapman of the New York Yankees and Zach Britton of the Baltimore Orioles were also among the top saves leaders in the majors in 2016. These three pitchers were instrumental to their teams’ success in 2016, and their ability to close out games was a major factor in their teams’ success.
The importance of saves in Major League Baseball is likely to continue to increase in the future, as teams continue to look to their bullpens to find ways to win games. With the emergence of new pitching strategies, it is likely that the saves leader in the MLB will begin to change in the coming years.