For the second consecutive year, closer Craig Kimbrel of the Atlanta Braves gets our vote as the top reliever in the National League. Kimbrel saved 42 games in his sophomore season, tied with Jason Motte of the St. Louis Cardinals for the league lead. He also struck out a league-best 16.7 batters per nine innings pitched, while posting a stunning 1.01 ERA and 0.65 WHIP. In fact, Kimbrel's WHIP is the best for a reliever in baseball history.Second on our ballot is flamethrower Aroldis Chapman of the Cincinnati Reds. Chapman notched 38 saves and posted a 1.51 ERA and 0.81 WHIP. He also struck out an impressive 15.3 hitters per nine innings.
Rounding out our NL ballot is David Hernandez of the Arizona Diamonbacks. While he only notched four saves on the year, Hernandez was rock-solid out of the pen for the D-backs. He appeared in 72 games and compiled a 2.50 ERA and 1.02 WHIP while striking out 12.9 per nine innings.
Our NL Goose Gossage Award ballot is:
- Craig Kimbrel, Atlanta Braves
- Aroldis Chapman, Cincinnati Reds
- David Hernandez, Arizona Diamondbacks
Greg Holland quietly had an outstanding season for the Kansas City Royals. After taking over the closer's role with the trade of Jonathan Broxton to the Reds, Holland notched 16 saves and lowered his ERA for the season to 2.96.
While he may have been the forgotten man in an excellent Tampa Bay Rays bullpen, lefty Jake McGee provided solid late-inning relief as a bridge to Fernando Rodney. McGee posted a 1.95 ERA and 0.80 WHIP, while holding opponents to a paltry .165 batting average in his 69 appearances.
Our AL Gossage Award ballot is:
- Fernando Rodney, Tampa Bay Rays
- Greg Holland, Kansas City Royals
- Jake McGee, Tampa Bay Rays
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