Dan Wheeler could be one of the top closers in the National League after replacing Brad Lidge.

PITCHERS

Chad Gaudin, SP, Oakland: Gaudin is a nice story of an undersized late-round draft choice breaking into the majors. Unfortunately, his career was compromised after the old Devil Rays regime rushed him to the majors in 2003. At the age of 20, following a perfect game at Double-A, Tampa Bay promoted the young Gaudin only to see him never translate that posture to the big league level. It took Gaudin three years and two more organizations to really establish himself. Currently filling the A's need for a fifth starter with Esteban Loaiza on the DL, his first two starts have been extremely encouraging. Gaudin has developed a third pitch out of necessity to attack left-handers while also improving his command of the strike zone. His first two pitches are solid with a low-90s fastball, and nasty slider in which scouts have said the league has never seen before because of it's unusual movement. The biggest issue for Gaudin is command, but in his first two starts for the Athletics he has been effecient. He can help owners in AL-only leagues moving forward.

Taylor Tankersley, RP, Florida: Henry Owens is the flavor of the week for those looking to capitalize on Jorge Julio's struggles in the Florida bullpen. Still, my money is on Tankersley seeing more save opportunities before all is said and done this season. Tankersley was the front runner for saves going into spring training before suffering a March injury, and the Marlins still don't want to "waste" the former first-rounders stuff in a lefty specialist role. He should be ready to return from a shoulder injury this weekend, and soon thereafter will be ready to replace the ineffective Julio. His 2.85 ERA last season was impressive leaving mixed leaguers an option for saves off the wire.

Rick Vanden Hurk, SP, Florida: An arm injury to Ricky Nolasco has provided an opportunity for the very inexperienced Vanden Hurk. Signed out of the Netherlands, Vanden Hurk emerged this winter with a mid-90s fastball. The 21 year-old has never pitched above Single-A ball but the Marlins won't shy away from allowing their prospects (see Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis) to prove themselves. Vanden Hurk looked good in his first major league start on Tuesday. In 4.2 innings the young right-hander gave up 5 hits, walked three and struck out five while allowing two earned runs. There's upside with Vanden Hurk, but it's difficult to make even a semi-accurate forecast due to his lack of big league experience. He's a speculative play in NL-only leagues for the time being.

Dan Wheeler, RP, Houston: Astros manager Phil Garner wasted very little

Lidge hasn't been the same pitcher since Albert Pujols rocked his world in the 2005 NLCS.

time in naming Wheeler the closer following Brad Lidge's early April struggles. Wheeler isn't the prototypical closer, but there's little to suggest that he can't be effective as the Houston closer long term. Wheeler has been one of the best relievers in baseball during the last two seasons with an ERA well below 3.00, and when asked has filled in nicely for Lidge.  Wheeler certainly isn't as romantic as Lidge with a K/9 below 9.0, but he has the command, movement and experience to be a solid option. Is this role reversal temporary or will Garner offer the role full time to Wheeler? There are few managers in baseball that believe in the platoon like that of Garner.

Honorable Mention:

Randy Keisler, SP, St. Louis: Keisler is filling in for the injured Chris Carpenter. The onetime left-handed prospect almost gave up on his MLB dream this winter and now finds himself in the rotation for the World Champions. Command of the fastball has always been Keisler's Achilles heal and at the age-of-31 there's little reason to believe he's anything but a short term solution for the Cardinals.