Brian Wilson

2013

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2012

Wilson recorded 36 saves with a 3.11 ERA last season, but his strikeout rate dropped while his walk rate increased, resulting in an ugly 1.473 WHIP. He also battled an injured elbow seemingly throughout the season, eventually getting shut down in September. In fact, he made just two appearances over the season’s final six weeks. No surgery was required, so the hope is he’ll enter 2012 fully healthy after an offseason of rest. Wilson’s velocity was down last season, and he relied on his cutter more than ever, so pay attention to reports in spring training, as health will be key. If he’s back to full strength, Wilson should once again return to being one of the best closers in baseball, and he could be undervalued at draft tables coming off a down year.

2011

Wilson finished a terrific 2010 campaign with a 1.81 ERA, 1.179 WHIP and a 93:26 K:BB ratio over 74.2 innings, leading MLB with 48 saves (his 127 saves since 2008 also leads all closers). He's extremely difficult to homer against, having allowed just six long balls over 147 innings the last two years. Wilson's fastball is one of the better pitches in baseball, and his strikeout rate has improved every year he's been in the league. He recorded three saves and a win during the NLCS and was on the mound when the Giants clinched the World Series in Game 5, so even though his control doesn't always make it easy, he's proven to be one of the most reliable closers in the game today. Wilson enters 2011 as a top-tier fantasy option.

2010

Wilson finished with three fewer saves last year compared to 2008 while also blowing one more opportunity, but he pitched far better during his second full season as the Giants’ closer nevertheless. His control (3.36 BB/9IP) remains a work in progress, but it’s improving, while his strikeout rate (10.33 K/9IP) is elite. Wilson is a groundball pitcher (1.22 G/F in 2009) with one of the most effective fastballs (average velocity was 96.6 mph last year) in all of baseball, which is a pretty good combination. After allowing 11 earned runs over the first two months last year, Wilson gave up just 11 more over the final four months, so he’s continuing to improve. His status as the Giants’ closer is secure, so he’s a safe target in fantasy leagues.

2009

Despite a 4.62 ERA and 1.44 WHIP, Wilson racked up 41 saves in 2008, the second most in the National League. He showed an uncanny ability to pitch his best when it mattered most, but he really needs to improve his control (4.1 BB/9IP) if he wants to be San Francisco's long-term closer. He has a terrific fastball with a decent slider, and his 9.7 K/9IP mark was elite. Wilson is locked in as the Giants' closer, but realize he's unlikely to match last year's saves total in 2009.

2008

Wilson failed to capture the closer’s role coming out of spring training last year and spent much of the season in Triple-A Fresno. After getting recalled in August, he posted a 2.28 ERA and 0.972 WHIP with a solid strikeout rate over the season’s final two months, proving he can handle ninth-inning duties in the process. Wilson possesses a plus fastball with a pretty good slider and only command stands in the way of him becoming a truly elite reliever. With little competition in San Francisco’s pen, manager Bruce Bochy has already named Wilson the favorite to close in 2008.

2007

Thought of as the team’s possible future at closer, Wilson is a hard thrower who fanned 30 batters in 28 innings at Triple-A last year. He wasn't able to transfer that success into the majors, however. He certainly has the stuff to exceed in the big leagues, and with Armando Benitez's health and performance in question, Wilson could be an alternative to close in San Francisco's pen this year.