Welcome to The Game Day’s Fantasy Baseball Closer Rankings, Depth Charts, Bullpen Report, & Sleepers For Saves.
When you’re working the fantasy baseball waiver wire and trying to find the best sleepers for saves, you must know each Major League Baseball team’s relief pitchers.
So, who has a path to 2022 fantasy baseball saves? Who’s going to focus on holds and set-up appearances?
Frank Ammirante ranks each fantasy baseball bullpen from strongest (1) to weakest (30) while giving security ratings for each club’s relief corps.
See which fantasy baseball closers are secure, questionable, or on shaky ground in their job security so you can plan ahead and stay aggressive on the waiver wire.
Identify the fantasy baseball league pickups you should make soon so you can have control over erratic 2023 fantasy baseball saves pictures.
Fantasy Baseball Closer Rankings
Drag the table to the left to see the entire closer depth charts and rankings list. New closers are denoted by all caps.
| Rk | Team | Closer | Next In Line | Watch | Job Security | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mets | Edwin Díaz | David Robertson | Adam Ottavino | GREAT | Díaz has 205 career saves, coming off an elite season with an insane 50.2 K%. |
| 2 | Guardians | Emmanuel Clase | James Karinchak | Trevor Stephan | GREAT | Clase put up a sub-1.50 ERA in the last two years, including 42 saves last season. |
| 3 | Blue Jays | Jordan Romano | Erik Swanson | Yimi García | GREAT | Romano has combined for 59 saves in the past two seasons, totaling 36 last year. |
| 4 | Padres | Josh Hader | Robert Suarez | Luis Garcia | GREAT | Hader got off to a rocky start with the Padres, but found his groove with a 0.87 ERA in Sept/Oct. |
| 5 | Orioles | Félix Bautista | Mychal Givens | Dillon Tate | GREAT | Bautista became one of the best closers in baseball once he took over. |
| 6 | Cardinals | Ryan Helsley | Giovanny Gallegos | Jordan Hicks | GREAT | Helsley had a 1.25 ERA, 0.74 WHIP, and 39.3 K% with 19 saves last year. |
| 7 | Astros | Ryan Pressly | Rafael Montero | Bryan Abreu | GREAT | Pressly has combined for 59 saves with strong ratios in his last two seasons. |
| 8 | Braves | Raisel Iglesias | A.J. Minter | Joe Jiménez | GREAT | Iglesias has a strong track record, so he should be a high-end closer following Kenley Jansen's departure. |
| 9 | Brewers | Devin Williams | Matt Bush | Peter Strzelecki | GREAT | Williams gave us a preview of what's to come in 2023, posting 15 saves with a 40.0 K% in 2022. |
| 10 | Giants | Camilo Doval | Taylor Rogers | John Brebbia | GREAT | Doval racked up 27 saves last season, but the 10.5 BB% is an issue. |
| 11 | Red Sox | Kenley Jansen | Chris Martin | John Schreiber | GREAT | Jansen has 391 career saves, including 41 last year, giving him a long leash. |
| 12 | Yankees | Clay Holmes | Jonathan Loáisiga | Tommy Kahnle | SOLID | Holmes will look to build off a strong season that saw him rack up 20 saves with strong ratios. |
| 13 | Pirates | David Bednar | Robert Stephenson | Wil Crowe | SOLID | Bednar had an elite 25.2 K-BB%, but he plays for one of the worst teams in baseball. |
| 14 | Rockies | Daniel Bard | Dinelson Lamet | Pierce Johnson | SOLID | Bard has been great for the Rockies, but the 10.2 BB% is concerning. |
| 15 | Rays | Pete Fairbanks | Jason Adam | Jalen Beeks | SOLID | Fairbanks was great down the stretch and should be the Rays' closer this year, albeit with injury issues. |
| 16 | Royals | Scott Barlow | AROLDIS CHAPMAN | Dylan Coleman | SOLID | Barlow racked up 24 saves with a 19.0 K-BB% last year. They signed Aroldis Chapman, which is concerning. |
| 17 | Twins | Jhoan Durán | Jorge López | Emilio Pagán | COMMITTEE | Durán is the better pitcher, while López has more closing experience, making it likely that both see opportunities. |
| 18 | Mariners | Paul Sewald | Andrés Muñoz | Diego Castillo | COMMITTEE | Sewald was great last year, but so was Muñoz, so there's risk of a committee. |
| 19 | Reds | Alexis Díaz | Lucas Sims | Tejay Antone | SHAKY | Díaz really emerged down the stretch, posting six saves in Sept. The issue is the walk rate (12.9%). |
| 20 | Rangers | Jose Leclerc | Joe Barlow | Jonathan Hernández | SHAKY | Leclerc posted a 1.85 ERA in the 2nd half last season, ready to take over as closer for an improved team. |
| 21 | Dodgers | Evan Phillips | Daniel Hudson | Brusdar Graterol | COMMITTEE | Expect a committee between Phillips and Hudson for the Dodgers this year. |
| 22 | Angels | CARLOS ESTÉVEZ | Jimmy Herget | Ryan Tepera | SHAKY | Estévez was brought in as a free agent, expect him to be the closer for the Angels. |
| 23 | Marlins | Dylan Floro | Tanner Scott | MATT BARNES | SHAKY | Floro finished off the year strong, racking up six saves in Sept. |
| 24 | Tigers | ALEX LANGE | Jason Foley | José Cisnero | SHAKY | Lange likely takes over as Tigers' closer following the Gregory Soto trade. He has some command issues. |
| 25 | Athletics | TREVOR MAY | Zach Jackson | Dany Jiménez | SHAKY | The A's signed May to a one-year deal worth $7 million, so he should be the closer this year. |
| 26 | White Sox | KENDALL GRAVEMAN | Reynaldo López | Joe Kelly | SHAKY | Graveman is expected to take over as closer with Liam Hendriks undergoing treatment for cancer. |
| 27 | Phillies | SERANTHONY DOMÍNGUEZ | Craig Kimbrel | Gregory Soto | COMMITTEE | This is a full-blown committee between Domínguez, Kimbrel, and Soto. |
| 28 | Nationals | Kyle Finnegan | Hunter Harvey | Carl Edwards Jr. | SHAKY | Finnegan had a respectable 3.51 ERA with 11 saves for the Nationals after taking over as closer. |
| 29 | Cubs | Brandon Hughes | Brad Boxberger | Adbert Alzolay | SHAKY | Hughes is first in line, but don't sleep on free agent addition Boxberger (two 30+ save seasons) |
| 30 | Diamondbacks | Mark Melancon | Kevin Ginkel | SCOTT MCGOUGH | SHAKY | Shakiest situation in MLB, deferring to the veteran Melancon here, but don't sleep on McGough. |
Fantasy Baseball Closer News
Kansas City Royals: Aroldis Chapman (Jan. 31)
Aroldis Chapman decided to sign with the Royals, raising some question marks about the closer role in Kansas City.
- Aroldis Chapman Fantasy Tip: Chapman posted a horrific 17.5% walk rate last season, casting doubts on his future outlook. Still, there’s a chance that he can take away saves from Scott Barlow, who may even be traded at some point.
Prepare for your fantasy MLB drafts with more tips
- Keep up with our Fantasy Baseball Draft Rankings.
- See who our experts are targeting among Fantasy Baseball Sleepers.
Miami Marlins: Matt Barnes (Jan. 31)
The Marlins swapped relievers by trading Richard Bleier for Matt Barnes with the Red Sox. Barnes was previously designated for assignment, but the Marlins wanted to ensure they got him, rather than hope he made it through waivers to them.
- Matt Barnes Fantasy Tip: Barnes has closing experience, having racked up 24 saves for the Red Sox in 2021. Dylan Floro has a shaky grip on the role and Tanner Scott has command issues, so monitor this situation.
Arizona Diamondbacks: Scott McGough (Jan. 31)
The Diamondbacks signed Scott McGough to a two-year deal with a mutual option for 2025. He had been pitching in Japan, where he combined for a 2.44 ERA and 69 saves in the last two seasons.
- Scott McGough Fantasy Tip: McGough credits his new splitter for helping him get another MLB opportunity. This is an unclear situation, so there’s a legitimate chance that he emerges as the closer in Arizona.
Chicago White Sox: Kendall Graveman (Jan. 11)
Kendall Graveman will take the White Sox closer mantle from Liam Hendriks, who’s undergoing treatment for cancer. We send out our best wishes to Hendriks and his family.
- Kendall Graveman Fantasy Tip: Graveman doesn’t have the elite strikeout rate (23.2% in 2022), but he has good enough stuff (11.1 SwStr%) to handle the role.
Oakland Athletics: Trevor May (Jan. 11)
The A’s signed free agent Trevor May to a one-year, $7 million deal. Oakland rarely spends money in free agency, so this move essentially tips their hand that May will be closer.
- Trevor May Fantasy Tip: May should help you out with saves until the A’s likely decide to flip him at the trade deadline.
Detroit Tigers: Alex Lange (Jan. 11)
Alex Lange is expected to take over as the Tigers’ closer following the Gregory Soto trade to the Phillies. He has good stuff, making him an intriguing option.
- Alex Lange Fantasy Tip: Lange posted a 30.3% strikeout rate last year, but that was accompanied by an 11.4% walk rate. Still, Lange could be a breakout closer in 2023.
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Los Angeles Angels: Carlos Estévez (Jan. 11)
Carlos Estévez was brought in as a free agent, signing a two-year deal worth $13.5 million. While Jimmy Herget performed well in the role down the stretch, Estévez is likely to be the closer.
- Carlos Estévez Fantasy Tip: Estévez is another breakout candidate this season, following a 2022 year where he put up a 3.47 ERA, but the 9.8% walk rate is a bit concerning.
Philadelphia Phillies: Seranthony Dominguez (Jan. 11)
Seranthony Domínguez is the best reliever in this bullpen, but the team added experienced closers Craig Kimbrel and Gregory Soto into the mix.
- Seranthony Domínguez Fantasy Tip: This is a full-blown committee that is certain to cause headaches to fantasy baseball players all year long.
