Closers and late-inning relievers are some of the most volatile positions in all of MLB, but saves remain vitally important in many fantasy baseball leagues. A few players have a lock on the position, but many move in and out of the role due to injuries, poor performances, or committees.
Fortunately, relief pitchers don’t necessarily need save opportunities to have fantasy value. Strong middle relievers can hold value in Saves+Holds leagues and Ottoneu formats, but it can be difficult to stay on top of so many moving pieces.
Fortunately, the RotoBaller team is here to help! Fantasy owners can check the Closers Depth Chart for current bullpen hierarchies and up-to-date news. One month into the season, let’s take a look at how the bullpen landscape has shaped up so far.
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Fantasy Baseball Closer Updates
By Connelly Doan
All stats as of 6/28
AL East
The closers for the Orioles, Red Sox, and Blue Jays have continued to perform as expected and remain high-end fantasy options. Felix Bautista deserves a shoutout, as he has been excellent at the end of games for a very strong O's squad.
The situation for the Rays has returned to a "normal" state of a committee. Jason Adam has served as the Rays’ primary closer during Pete Fairbanks’ several IL stints, but both have shared opportunities when healthy. Fantasy owners are well aware of how the Rays utilize their bullpen, but both Adam and Fairbanks are worthwhile fantasy options.
Things have been all over the place in the Yankees’ bullpen. Five different relievers have seen save opportunities in June, with Clay Holmes and Michael King leading the way with four each. Holmes has had a stellar month, converting all of his save opportunities, but King has struggled with a 6.97 ERA. The situation is murky, but it does appear that Holmes has emerged as the arm to roster at the moment. However, I could see a tandem situation arising if King can regain his early-season form.
AL Central
While this division may not be the best in terms of overall fantasy value, it has been a steady closer landscape. Emmanuel Clase’s peripherals have started returning to what fantasy owners have come to expect, and he now has a 2.41 ERA and 23-percent strikeout rate to go with a league-leading 23 saves for the Guardians.
While Jhoan Duran has firmly taken over as the Twins’ closer and has pitched well, he hasn’t had as much of a fantasy impact as many would have hoped. This is due to the Twins’ mediocre performance, resulting in just 13 save opportunities. He is still a must-roster, but he still might end up being a middle-tier fantasy option.
Walks have been an issue for Alex Lange (5.40 BB/9 rate), but he has been a serviceable closer for the Tigers. Lange has converted 12-of-14 save opportunities with a 3.69 ERA and 30.9-percent strikeout rate. He has been a steady middle-tier fantasy closer to this point.
Scott Barlow has finally regained sole control of the closer’s role for the Royals, but both the team and player have not been great. Barlow has only blown one save this season, but he only has nine saves to go with a 3.90 ERA, 33.6-percent strikeout rate, and 11.2-percent walk rate. He is worth a roster spot in most roto leagues given his job security, but fantasy owners should not expect a ton of return from him.
It was fantastic to see Liam Hendriks return to the White Sox at the end of May after recovering from cancer, but he went back to the injured list in early June with right elbow inflammation. His timeline is unknown, but fantasy owners should not hold their breaths. In the meantime, Kendall Graveman has continued to serve as the team’s primary closer, converting two-of-four save opportunities in June with a 2.53 ERA. He doesn’t offer a ton of fantasy value, but he is the arm to roster for the White Sox at this time.
AL West
Things have also held mostly steady in the American League West. The Mariners are currently below .500, but Paul Sewald has been solid, earning 13 saves with a 2.67 ERA and 34.7-percent strikeout rate. Ryan Pressly has continued rolling along for the Astros, converting 14-of-17 save opportunities while raising his season strikeout rate to 26.7 percent.
Carlos Estevez has been a big fantasy surprise this season, converting all 19 of his save opportunities with a 2-1 record, a 1.69 ERA, and a 30.3-percent strikeout rate for the Angels. He has been one of baseball’s best closers this season, much to the delight of fantasy owners.
The Rangers have finally found their closer in Will Smith. The veteran has really settled into the role, converting all five of his save opportunities in June with a 1.69 ERA. Given his career experience as a closer and the great team context, Smith seems like a very safe fantasy bet for the rest of the season.
There have been some signs of life for the Athletics in June. The team went on a winning streak in the middle of the month, and seven pitchers have seen save opportunities. The leader has been Trevor May, who has converted all four opportunities with a 3.68 ERA. Sam Long has converted both of his opportunities and has pitched well all season long. While May’s season numbers leave a lot to be desired, the fact that he was the team’s “big” offseason signing suggests that they will stick with him. Still, May is a deep roto league play, at best.
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NL East
Surprisingly, this division has been one of the more volatile in terms of closers. Raisel Iglesias has converted seven-of-eight save opportunities for the Braves in June, but they have come with a 5.25 ERA. Meanwhile, A.J. Minter has converted all three of his save opportunities with a 2.45 ERA. Iglesias should be given a long leash given his career track record, but fantasy owners might want to keep an eye on Minter.
A.J. Puk returned from the IL at the beginning of the month and stepped back into the Marlins' closer’s role. He has pitched well all season, converting 11-of-13 save opportunities with a 3.09 ERA and 25.5-percent strikeout rate. The Marlins have played strong baseball to this point, making Puk a solid fantasy option.
The Nationals have morphed into what the A’s were earlier in the season. Hunter Harvey has seen save opportunities but has only converted five-of-10 this season. Kyle Finnegan hasn’t been that much better, converting 11-of-16 save opportunities with a 3.90 ERA. Both have had decent but uninspiring overall. As such, both are only worth a look in deep roto leagues at this time.
Things have started to go off the rails for the Mets in June. For some reason, Drew Smith has led the team in the month with three save opportunities, although he has only converted one and has a 7.11 ERA to show for it. David Robertson is clearly the arm to roster, as he has converted 11-of-13 opportunities with a 1.59 ERA and a 31.3-percent strikeout rate. The Mets have made some interesting bullpen choices lately, but Robertson remains a mid-tier fantasy option given his career track record and current performance.
Finally, things have continued to shift in the Phillies' bullpen. Jose Alvarado, who was looking like the closer favorite, returned from the IL in the middle of the month, but he has seen just one save opportunity since then. Meanwhile, Craig Kimbrel has looked like his old self in June, converting all four save opportunities with a 0.82 ERA and 18 strikeouts in 11 innings. It remains to be seen if Alvarado will start to pick up more opportunities, as he has pitched very well this season overall. Both Kimbrel and Alvarado are worth rostering in at least deeper roto leagues, but I would still lean Kimbrel based on his career.
NL Central
There have been some developments in this division over the month, but there's also been a good deal of consistency. The Pirates have come back to earth, but David Bednar has compiled 15 saves and a 1.50 ERA on the season. Alexis Diaz and the Reds have played very well overall, and his 21 saves are among the most in baseball. Finally, Devin Williams has continued to convert the opportunities he has been given and now has 14 saves and a 1.69 ERA for the Brewers.
Things have been shaken up for the Cardinals after Ryan Helsley went on the IL in the middle of the month with a forearm strain. This is unfortunate for the team and fantasy owners, as it sounds like he may be out for a while. Giovanny Gallegos has struggled in his his three save opportunities this month, converting only one with a 7.71 ERA. Meanwhile, Jordan Hicks has converted all four of his save opportunities with a 3.72 ERA and 16 strikeouts in 9.2 innings. Hicks was once a fantasy prospect given his high velocity and is now getting a chance to show it off at the end of games. He is a must-roster while Helsley is on the IL.
The Cubs have run through several closers this season, with June featuring Adbert Alzolay and Mark Leiter Jr. Both have pitched very well this season, but the issue is that the Cubs have only had three save opportunities this month. Alzolay has seen and converted two of those, so he seems to be the best fantasy bet.
NL West
Things have been volatile in the National League West overall. We’ll start with what has been consistent. Josh Hader has returned to form as one of baseball’s top closers for the Padres, racking up 18 saves with a 1.26 ERA and 37.2-percent strikeout rate. Camilo Doval has been just as good for the Giants, notching 22 saves with a 2.02 ERA and 32.9-percent strikeout rate.
The Dodgers have continued to mix and match their bullpen use, which has been frustrating from a fantasy perspective. Evan Phillips has remained at the head of the pack, converting all three save opportunities in June with a 2.38 ERA. He now has 10 on the season. It's worth noting that Daniel Hudson could be back from the IL soon after recovering from an ACL tear in his knee. He’s worth keeping an eye on, but Phillips has the clear lead in that bullpen.
Pierce Johnson has fallen out of favor in the Rockies' bullpen and Justin Lawrence has settled in, converting four of five save opportunities in June with a 2.92 ERA. Five different relievers have seen save opportunities for the Rockies this month, and while they haven’t played well this season, it appears that Lawrence is the arm to roster at this time.
Things have shifted once again in the Diamondbacks bullpen. Scott McGough has converted all five of his save opportunities without allowing a run. Miguel Castro has converted two of three save opportunities but has a poor 9.00 ERA in the month. Finally, Andrew Chafin hasn’t even seen a save opportunity in June after recording eight saves prior. While the Diamondbacks have been one of baseball’s best teams, their fantasy closer situation has yielded limited returns due to their mixing and matching. All three are worth keeping an eye on, but it appears that McGough is back in the lead.