I think not long ago most relievers were still failed starters, but there is a greater emphasis now on actually developing guys as relievers. Whether they will pan out as well is a good question.

It would be interesting to look at how top relievers of today and recent years got to where they are. I can't do it right now but I will try to come back to this.

So do you know of any pitchers that were viewed as closers from their draft day? What's behind my question is is a good closer, like Rivera, "developed", "discoverd" or "naturally evolved"?

Is starting still viewed as preferable to closing?

Are the last few years the first time in baseball history where young pitchers are developed and groomed specifically as career closers, other than Joe Nathan previously? I'm thinking of Neftali Feliz, Jordan Walden, Drew Storen, and Craig Kimbrel.

It will be interesting to observe how this crop of young guns stand the test of time, as closers, without ever having cutting their major-league teeth starting or middle-relieving.

Closers with more than a few years of effectiveness are very rare.