Fantasy Baseball RP Rankings: Top closers, sleepers at relief pitcher for 2020

Matt Lutovsky

Fantasy Baseball RP Rankings: Top closers, sleepers at relief pitcher for 2020 image

We'll start our 2020 RP rankings with a yearly plea: Get rid of saves as a category in your fantasy baseball league. Replace it with saves plus holds so the player pool expands to more than just "closers". Middle relievers are often better pitchers anyway, so they deserve more fantasy love. Regardless closers lose their jobs far too often and cause far too many headaches for fantasy owners, which makes the position tough to navigate on your cheat sheet, never mind throughout the season. 

Around two-thirds of closers eventually lose their jobs, even if just temporarily, at some point during the season. Looking at the rankings below can only help you so much. We all know injuries can strike anyone at any time, and with relatively limited chances to pitch, even a three-game slump can cost a closer his job. There's very little margin for error, as "bad games" often result in memorable losses for a closer's team (and lost weeks for fantasy owners). 

2020 Fantasy Baseball Rankings:
CatcherFirst | Second | Third | Short | Outfield | Starter | Top 300

Regardless, most leagues still have saves as a category, and most fantasy owners overvalue closers on draft day as a result. After all, there are only 30-35 players at a given time getting saves, so especially in H2H leagues, those 30-some pitchers have tremendous value. We've separated the "expected closers" from the middle relievers in our rankings below, but there are plenty of setup guys who will have more overall value, particularly in Roto leagues.

That's especially true with the "closers" from the Mariners, Orioles, and Giants -- teams that will likely employ a closer-by-committee approach, at least to open the season. The Cardinals, Rays, and Red Sox also fall into that category, although those teams have at least a couple high-upside relievers who could run away with their respective jobs if given the chance. That said, Giovanny Gallegos, Nick Anderson, and Brandon Workman could all be ranked too highly if they're only getting one save chance per week. 

2020 Fantasy Baseball Tiers, Draft Strategy:
Catcher | First | Second | Third | Short | Outfield | Starter | Reliever

As far as the top 10, none are without risks. Josh Hader saw a big uptick in HRs allowed last year, while guys like Aroldis Chapman and Kenley Jansen appear to be on a gradual decline. Liam Hendriks could be a one-year wonder, and Kirby Yates is part of a stacked 'pen that has multiple closing options. There's also the distinct possibility that former top closers Edwin Diaz and Craig Kimbrel shake off disastrous 2019s and return to form. 

Perhaps the biggest unknown in the RP world will be how the new three-batter minimum rule will alter stats, particularly for lefty/righty specialists. It likely won't affect closers too much (though there could be fewer multi-inning saves), but middle relievers could be a little less reliable. Either way, it's just another thing to worry about for an already volatile position. 

2020 Fantasy Baseball Sleepers:
Catcher | First | Second | Third | Short | Outfielder | Starter | Each team

Ideally, you will have at least three reliable closers after your draft. That isn't possible for every team, so if you're one of the owners who doesn't have that depth, grab a middle reliever or two who could earn a closing job early on and be prepared to be active on the waiver wire. 

We'll be updating our RP rankings as needed, so check back for the latest player movement!

DOMINATE YOUR DRAFT: Ultimate 2020 Fantasy Baseball Cheat Sheet

Fantasy Baseball Closer and RP Rankings

Rankings based on 5x5 H2H leagues with ERA, WHIP, Ks, Ws, and Saves as categories

More 2020 Fantasy Baseball: Auction Values | Mock Draft Simulator

Ranking Player Team
1 Kirby Yates Padres
2 Josh Hader Brewers
3 Roberto Osuna Astros
4 Brad Hand Indians
5 Aroldis Chapman Yankees
6 Liam Hendriks A's
7 Taylor Rogers Twins
8 Ken Giles Blue Jays
9 Kenley Jansen Dodgers
10 Raisel Iglesias Reds
11 Edwin Diaz Mets
12 Craig Kimbrel Cubs
13 Brandon Workman Red Sox
14 Hansel Robles Angels
15 Nick Anderson Rays
16 Alex Colome White Sox
17 Archie Bradley D-backs
18 Sean Doolittle Nationals
19 Jose LeClerc Rangers
20 Hector Neris Phillies
21 Ian Kennedy Royals
22 Mark Melancon Braves
23 Keone Kela Pirates
24 Brandon Kintzler Marlins
25 Joe Jimenez Tigers
26 Wade Davis Rockies
27 Mychal Givens Orioles
28 Matt Magill Mariners
29 Tony Watson Giants
30 Kwang-Hyun Kim Cardinals
31 Kyle Crick Pirates
     
32 Giovanny Gallegos Cardinals
33 Will Smith Braves
34 Emilio Pagan Padres
35 Drew Pomeranz Padres
36 Ryan Pressly Astros
37 Seth Lugo Mets
38 Matt Barnes Red Sox
39 Tyler Duffey Twins
40 Luke Jackson Braves
41 James Karinchak Indians
42 Josh James Astros
43 Chad Green Yankees
44 Scott Oberg Rockies
45 Hunter Harvey Orioles
46 Shane Greene Braves
47 Ryan Helsley Cardinals
48 Diego Castillo Rays
49 Tommy Kahnle Yankees
50 Sam Tuivailala Mariners
51 Tyler Rogers Giants
52 Trevor Gott Giants
53 Blake Treinen Dodgers
54 Freddy Peralta Brewers
55 Ty Buttrey Angels
56 Will Harris Nationals
57 Yoshihisa Hirano Mariners
58 Drew Steckenrider Marlins
59 Jose Alvarado Rays
60 Andres Munoz Padres
61 Darwinzon Hernandez Red Sox
62 Buck Farmer Tigers
63 Tanner Rainey Nationals
64 Adam Ottavino Yankees

Matt Lutovsky

Matt Lutovsky Photo

Matt Lutovsky has been a writer and editor for The Sporting News since 2007, primarily writing about fantasy sports, betting, and gaming.