Florio's Fantasy Baseball Bullpen Report - Snake Bitten D-backs, Frustrating Phillies

July 9, 2025

Michael Florio reviews fantasy baseball closers, saves, and waiver wire pickups for Week 15 of 2025. He analyzes changing bullpens and RP risers with elite ratios.

The calm before the storm.

There was a bullpen shaken up this week by another injury. Others continue to be more of a committee. But there has not been a huge shake-up at the closer position. Not yet at least.

The trades are coming and when they do, this position will be turned on its head. But enjoy the peace for now, and rack up as many saves as you can in the process!

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Changing Bullpens for Fantasy Baseball

The Diamondbacks bullpen has been snake-bitten this year. See what I did there? Puns aside, Arizona had to place Shelby Miller on the IL with a forearm strain. It has yet to announce a timetable for him. Miller is the third Diamondbacks closer put on the shelf this season. Shortly after Miller landed on the IL, Kevin Ginkel picked up his second save of the season.

Ginkel has not been as effective as in the past this season, but he has strikeout stuff and some closer experience in the past. He is the best option left standing, meaning that fantasy managers should look to grab him now if they need saves.

One caveat, GM Mike Hazen has stated that the D-backs would add bullpen pieces if they are in a position to buy at the deadline. Due to that, I would not be too aggressive in bidding on Ginkel. I suggest somewhere in the 4 to 10 percent of your FAAB range, depending on how badly you need saves. Speculative names here are Kyle Backhus and Jalen Beeks.

Final: Diamondbacks 6, Padres 3

Kevin Ginkel gets the save after this Alek Thomas web gem, which avoided bringing the tying run to the plate.pic.twitter.com/VSAc7OwTr1

— Alex Weiner (@alexjweiner) July 8, 2025

The Phillies did not record a save in the last week, but we still may be getting some clarity in this bullpen, at least for the time being. Orion Kerkering has struggled as of late. He has not pitched a clean inning since June 16th. Since that outing, he has pitched to a 4.05 ERA and 1.50 WHIP, with two losses and one save. Matt Strahm has been much more effective as of late, and I would expect the bulk of save chances to go his way. He is a must-start fantasy option for the time being.

The Phillies dugout was HOT after Orion Kerkering didn't get the call on three extremely close pitches.

(Via: @JS9InningsMedia)
pic.twitter.com/PG0o64ydL8

— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) July 8, 2025

Of course, Strahm managers should be prepared for the Phillies to add to their bullpen. Whether they add a proven closer is yet to be seen. But the Phillies are always aggressive around the trade deadline and bullpen help is a clear need for this team.

The Braves are going through it right now. Their struggles have led to them not picking up a save in the last week. They have just two saves in the last three weeks. One went to Raisel Iglesias and the other to Dylan Lee. My lean is toward Iglesias, as he has been better as of late. Since June 9th, he has a 0.00 ERA and 0.72 WHIP with a 39 percent strikeout rate and just a 3 percent walk rate. Batters have hit .176 against him in that span. At the very least, fantasy managers do not need to worry as much about him blowing up their ratios.

With Iglesias pitching more like himself, I expect the same chances to continue to go his way. However, with him being in the last year of his contract and the Braves now sliding behind the Marlins, you have to wonder if he could be a trade candidate himself.

THREAD: Braves Trade Candidates
---
Rentals:
DH - Marcell Ozuna

RP - Raisel Iglesias
RP - Rafael Montero
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Relievers w/ Multiples Years of Control
RP - Enyel De Los Santos
RP - Pierce Johnson
RP - Bummer (best LH reliever available if Reds & Red Sox are not sellers)

1/

— Mikey McLeod Fan (@MikeyMcLeodFan) July 7, 2025

The NL East loves to shuffle their bullpens around, huh? The Marlins gave the save opportunity on Monday night to Anthony Bender. In the last week, they had Ronny Henriquez pick up two saves, Bender one, and Lake Bachar got one. Calvin Faucher, who leads the team on the year with eight saves, did not get one.

This bullpen has been maddening all year and does not seem likely to change. Right now, Henriquez is the hot hand that is in favor. Due to that, he could be started in Roto formats. I still think Faucher is the top option here, which means he also could be started in Roto leagues. Just understand they will mix and match, which makes it tough to trust any arm in head-to-head leagues. Could they also trade some of their relievers? That is something to keep an eye on in the coming weeks.

Speculative Saves for Fantasy Baseball

Last week, I highlighted that Padres closer Robert Suarez had been struggling pretty badly. Well, he has bounced back with two scoreless appearances, picking up a save in one of them. By no means does two appearances mean we are out of the woods yet, but it certainly is a step in the right direction. As long as Suarez is getting save chances for the Padres, he should continue to be started in all fantasy formats.

The Orioles have had three different pitchers pick up a save in the last week. Felix Bautista, Yennier Cano, and Seranthony Dominguez each picked one up for the Birds. The odd part about that, though, is that Bautista was available. When Dominguez picked up his save, it was the third consecutive day that Bautista did not pitch. I have speculated for a while now that Bautista could be dealt with at the deadline, and preserving his arm to keep him healthy could be a glimpse showing us that it is coming.

Felix Bautista is BACK 🔥

Since June 1st:

13 IP
0.69 ERA
2.01 FIP
7 SV
44.7% K%
.071 BAA (!)

He's averaging 97.5 MPH on his fastball. This 2 MPH decrease compared to 2023 results in a 12% difference in Whiff%.

Still one of the best relievers in the game.#BirdLand pic.twitter.com/zLfmFY3KWP

— LouisAnalysis (@LouisAnalysis) July 7, 2025

If you either have Bautista or need saves, grabbing one of Dominguez or Cano is not a bad idea. They could be had now for cheap, but after a trade, the price would shoot up. This is a good stash, and if a trade does not happen, you can simply throw them back onto the waiver wire.

The White Sox's lone save of the week went to Grant Taylor. He now leads them with three saves on the season. Taylor is a high-strikeout reliever who should be able to give strong ratios. Currently, he has a 4.56 ERA, but the 2.56 xERA, along with the 50 percent strand rate, shows that he has been unlucky. Still, he is a bright spot in a bad bullpen. Taylor may not get a ton of chances due to the team he plays on, but as long as the bulk of opportunities continue to go to him, then he is someone who should be started in all Roto formats.

There are a lot of teams that are jumbled together right now and the next couple weeks will likely determine a lot with who is buying and selling. There are two teams, though, with proven closers who I feel confident will sell. They are the Pirates and Nationals. Both David Bednar and Kyle Finnegan bring a ton of closer experience. However, a good closer is expendable for teams that are not competing.

This is the final year of Finnegan’s deal, which only increases the odds he is dealt. Given the state of the Pirates, they need all the young talent they can get, and Bednar may be their best and most realistic trade piece. Dennis Santana and Jose A. Ferrer are the top speculative adds. Also, do not be surprised if Bednar and Finnegan destroy a current closer's fantasy value.

Elite Strikeouts and Ratios for Fantasy Baseball

Adrian Morejon has pitched to a 0.38 WHIP since June 10th, the second lowest among qualified relievers in that span. He has not allowed a run while pitching to a 22 percent strikeout rate and just a 2 percent walk rate while holding batters to a .089 average. If you need to regulate your ratios right now, Morejon is a pitcher who is certainly out there on most waiver wires.

Dennis Santana was mentioned above, but I want to highlight him some more. Not only is he next in line should Bednar be traded, but he has also been highly effective as of late. He has a 0.45 WHIP in the last month, the third lowest among qualified relievers. He also has not allowed a run in that span and has held batters to a .083 average. He does not pick up a ton of strikeouts, but a reliever who is currently providing elite ratios and could potentially see more save chances is one worth rostering.

Alex Vesia is no stranger to this portion of the article. Since June 10th, Vesia has pitched to a 2.25 ERA and a 0.50 WHIP (eighth lowest among qualified relievers) with a 40 percent strikeout rate. He has allowed a 7 percent walk rate and held opposing batters to a .077 average against him in that span. He may not get saves, but the Dodgers lefty provides elite ratios.

Phil Maton has a 38 percent strikeout rate in the last month, the 12th best amongst all qualified relievers. He has pitched to a 1.13 ERA with a 1.25 WHIP in that span. Due to the walks, his WHIP is higher than you would like. Still, he is providing really strong strikeout production to go along with a great ERA. We have seen Maton get hot and go on stretches like this in the past. If you need to fix your ratios a bit, Maton can help.

Make sure to follow Michael on X, @MichaelFFlorio. 

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