José Alvarado, RP
This is José Alvarado's first season as the Phillies' de facto primary closer. In previous years, he served mainly as a setup man and as a part-time closer. The big lefty has been tremendous in his new role this year.
Alvarado has converted 12 saves in 14 opportunities while compiling a solid 3.19 ERA and 1.06 WHIP, with 33 strikeouts in 31 innings pitched. Because of his reliability and dominance in high-leverage situations, at times he has been brought into games earlier than expected to face an opposing team's best hitters. As a result, he has five holds on the season.
However, it has also been a year of dominance for other closers in the league. Robert Suárez of the San Diego Padres had been a perfect 17-for-17 this season in save opportunities until he blew Tuesday’s game in the Phillies’ 4-3 walk-off win. He still has a 1.21 ERA and 0.81 WHIP. Ryan Helsley has played a major role in helping the St. Louis Cardinals bounce back from their miserable season last year, leading the team and the entire MLB with 24 saves and amassing a stellar 2.53 ERA and 1.16 WHIP.
Not only that, but Alvarado will feel the heat from some of his own teammates. Both Jeff Hoffman and Matt Strahm have been nothing short of brilliant, each posting a sub-1.00 ERA and sub-1.00 WHIP. Hoffman has registered five saves to go along with 10 holds. Strahm has walked only four batters all season in 29 innings with an eye-popping 33.7 percent K-BB rate.
As great as Alvarado has been this year for the Phillies, the exceptional play of his main competitors will likely keep him from being selected as a first-time All-Star.