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
AL East
The closers for the Orioles, Red Sox, and Blue Jays have continued to perform as expected and remain high-end fantasy options. Jordan Romano missed a few games right after the All-Star break with lower back tightness, but he is now back to closing games for the Blue Jays.
The Rays’ current state of affairs looks a bit different than it traditionally has. Previously, the team was using a committee of Pete Fairbanks and Jason Adam to close games out. However, Fairbanks has seen all three save opportunities in the second half and Adam has not secured a save since the middle of June. You can never be too sure with the Rays and Fairbanks always had the upper hand in the committee, but his fantasy value would be even higher if he did shift into a more traditional closer’s role.
Things seem to have settled down for now in the Yankees bullpen. Clay Holmes has been the best high-leverage reliever for the Yanks since the All-Star break with a 2.70 ERA in four appearances. All of those appearances have been save opportunities, and he has converted three of them. As things stand right now, Holmes appears to be the go-to closer, which boosts his fantasy value.
AL Central
Things have stayed consistent for the past couple of months in the American League Central. Emmanuel Clase had another uncharacteristic rough patch for the Guardians at the end of June/beginning of July, but he has now turned in five scoreless outings with three saves. He has fallen to the mid-high tier of fantasy options this season, but he's still a solid option in all leagues.
Jhoan Duran has continued to produce fantasy value, converting six of seven save opportunities in July. His 3.86 ERA is a bit higher than what fantasy owners would hope for, but his 12 strikeouts over 9.1 IP have somewhat made up for it. Regardless, he has cemented himself as the Twins’ closer.
There are still plenty of issues for Alex Lange, such as his 15.2-percent walk rate and 3.98 ERA, but he has converted 17 of 20 save opportunities with a 29.2-percent strikeout rate this season. There are several tiers of closers above him in terms of fantasy value, but he should remain a consistent source of saves in his current role with the Tigers.
Things have really devolved for the Royals since Aroldis Chapman left for the Rangers. The Royals have only seen five save opportunities this month, with three of them going to Scott Barlow. He has converted all of them but has done so with a 9.00 ERA. He simply hasn’t been the pitcher that fantasy owners were expecting, posting a 5.15 ERA and 12.7-percent walk rate on the season. At this point, Kansas City doesn't have a bullpen arm worth rostering outside of deep roto leagues.
There still is no timeline for Liam Hendriks, who has been out since early June with right elbow inflammation. The White Sox have not offered much in terms of fantasy saves value this season, but Kendall Graveman seems to be the arm to roster, as he has converted eight of 12 save opportunities with a 3.56 ERA. He does have a 5.87 ERA in July, but there is not a clear competitor at this time.
AL West
The American League West has been the most interesting AL division of late in the closer landscape. Ryan Pressly has really gotten back into form for the Astros, converting 23-of-27 save opportunities with a 2.84 ERA and a 28.5-percent strikeout rate. Meanwhile, Carlos Estevez has remained perfect for the Angels with 23 saves, a 2.03 ERA, and a 28.7-percent strikeout rate. Finally, Paul Sewald has continued to be excellent for the Mariners, converting 19-of-22 save opportunities with a 2.88 ERA and a stellar 37.3-percent strikeout rate.
The Rangers acquired Aroldis Chapman at the beginning of the month, and manager Bruce Bochy said that Chapman and Will Smith, who was serving as the team’s closer, would split save opportunities. That hasn’t quite played out, as Smith has converted three-of-four save opportunities with a 2.45 ERA and five strikeouts while Chapman has converted one-of-two save opportunities with a 3.38 ERA and 14 strikeouts. Smith seems to have the edge still, but both players are worth rostering in at least all roto leagues at this time.
Trevor May has put forth a great month so far for the Athletics, converting all four save opportunities with a 1.50 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP. The A’s should continue to offer little overall in terms of fantasy value, but May could continue to provide some in deeper roto leagues as long as he pitches well enough to hold onto the role.
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NL East
This division has stabilized a bit compared to last month. Raisel Iglesias has gotten back to his old ways as a high-end fantasy closer, converting all five save opportunities with a 2.57 ERA for the Braves in June. Craig Kimbrel has also maintained his role as the primary closer for the Phillies, converting four-of-five save opportunities with a 2.00 ERA.
Things have returned to normalcy for the Mets in July. David Robertson has led the team with four save opportunities, converting them all with a 2.45 ERA. While Adam Ottavino does have six saves of his own this season, Robertson is the clear arm to roster in fantasy with 14-of-17 save opportunities converted, a 2.08 ERA, and a 28.2-percent strikeout rate.
The Nationals were splitting save opportunities between Kyle Finnegan and Hunter Harvey until Harvey was placed on the 15-day IL in the middle of the month with a right elbow strain. This is a shame, as both pitchers were performing well. Finnegan has converted two-of-four save opportunities in the month with a 2.16 ERA. The Nationals won’t offer a ton of save opportunities, but Finnegan is now the clear arm to roster in roto leagues.
Finally, things have been turned upside-down in the Marlins bullpen. A.J. Puk was cruising as the team’s closer, but he has only converted two-of-five save opportunities this month with a massive 9.82 ERA. Three other relievers have each seen a save opportunity. While Dylan Floro and Tanner Scott are not among them, they are the most logical next-in-lines given their career experience. Fantasy owners should keep an eye on how long of a leash Puk may get.
NL Central
There have really settled down in the National League Central. David Bednar has continued to be excellent for the Pirates, compiling 19 saves with a 1.15 ERA and a 30.3-percent strikeout rate on the season. His name has popped up in trade rumors, so his fantasy value could change significantly depending on if he were to be moved to a team with an established closer.
Alexis Diaz and the Reds have continued to play well overall, and his 29 saves are the second most in baseball to go with a 2.22 ERA and elite 36.6-percent strikeout rate.
Devin Williams has seen a huge usage uptick for the Brewers in July, converting nine-of-10 save opportunities with a 1.69 ERA and 19 strikeouts in 10.2 IP. It’s nice to see him finally get the opportunity to provide elite fantasy value.
Jordan Hicks has run away with the closer’s role for the Cardinals with Ryan Helsley on the IL with a forearm strain. He has finally been able to harness his raw skills, converting three-of-four save opportunities with a 2.16 ERA in July. While his name has come up as a possible trade candidate, there are also talks of the Cardinals signing him to a contract extension, the latter of which would likely cement him as their long-term closer.
Adbert Alzolay has been treated as the Cubs’ primary closer in July, converting five-of-six save opportunities. However, he hasn’t pitched all that well with a 5.00 ERA and 1.44 WHIP. It doesn’t appear that there is another preferred option in the bullpen, and Alzolay’s 2.51 ERA and 28.6-percent strikeout rate on the season are strong, so he is worth rostering in roto leagues at this time.
NL West
Things have remained volatile in the National League West overall. Starting with what hasn’t changed, Camilo Doval has remained baseball’s top closer with 30 saves, a 2.40 ERA, and a 32.1-percent strikeout rate for the Giants. Josh Hader has also been excellent for the Padres, compiling 24 saves with a 0.97 ERA and a 37.4-percent strikeout rate.
The trend for the Dodgers has continued in July, with five different relievers seeing save opportunities. Evan Phillips has still remained at the head of the pack with two save opportunities. He is still the arm to roster with 12 saves, a 2.29 ERA, and a 31.3-percent strikeout rate. As good as the Dodgers are, fantasy owners will only be able to get limited value from them without a true closer.
Three Rockies’ relievers have each seen two save opportunities in July, with only Justin Lawrence converting both. Lawrence has not allowed a run in eight IP. However, Daniel Bard has converted one of his opportunities with a 1.93 ERA. Bard was meant to be the team’s closer coming into the season but spent time on the IL. Fantasy owners may want to keep an eye on him, but Lawrence seems to have the fantasy edge for now.
Another month, another look for the Diamondbacks. Five different relievers have seen save opportunities in July, and Kevin Ginkel has been the best of the bunch, converting both opportunities with a 1.35 ERA. He has pitched well overall this season with a 2.37 ERA but isn’t an overpowering pitcher with a 23-percent strikeout rate. At this point, it is hard to have confidence in any of these relievers for fantasy purposes. Ginkel may be worth a look in deep roto leagues, but the Diamondbacks may also look to bring in an established closer at the trade deadline to settle things down.
