Nick Mariano's Closer Rankings and Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups (Week 9)

May 22, 2026

Nick Mariano's top 50 closer fantasy baseball rankings, breakouts and closer waiver wire pickups for saves and holds - updated rankings for Week 9 of 2026.

Welcome, RotoBallers, to Nick Mariano's closer rankings for this upcoming week. This column will look at our updated fantasy baseball closers rankings for Week 9 of the 2026 fantasy season, bringing you a tiered closers rankings table and several key relievers to add.

This article is all about closers. We'll list the top 50 closers for the week, go through the top waiver wire closer pickups, and discuss some bullpen notes that fantasy managers should know right now. These rankings are courtesy of Nick Mariano, and the write-up blurbs for the waiver wire pickups are written by me (Joey Pollizze).

So, let's dive into the top 50 closers in fantasy baseball for Week 9. All stats are updated through action on May 21.

Top 50 Closers: Fantasy Baseball Rankings (Week 9)

Closers Fantasy Baseball Analysis, Waiver Wire Pickups

Don't forget to check our daily updates on the closer depth charts if you have more questions and want even more names!!

Paul Sewald, Arizona Diamondbacks (57%)

If Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Paul Sewald is somehow available in your league, he's a must-add. Sewald has a firm hold on Arizona's closer job and already has 11 saves this season. With a scoreless outing in eight of his last nine relief appearances, he's a top closer option moving forward. Sewald has earned two saves over the past week.

Tanner Scott, Los Angeles Dodgers (47%)

Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Tanner Scott has taken full command of the closer job since Edwin Diaz went on the injured list. Scott has allowed just one hit with seven strikeouts, three saves, and one win in the month of May. His 46.1% chase rate, 33.1% whiff rate, and 28.6% strikeout rate are encouraging metrics for him in that closer role until Diaz returns.

Tanner Scott strikes out Manny Machado! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/5hPdV1JgCm

— Hyeseong Kim Muse 김혜성 (@HyeseongKimMuse) May 20, 2026

Gregory Soto, Pittsburgh Pirates (41%)

Although Gregory Soto blew his second save last Friday, he is the undisputed closer for the Pirates. Soto has pitched in the ninth inning in each of his eight May appearances and has totaled three saves this month. There's no taking this job away from him right now, as he owns a 2.31 ERA and a 32.6% strikeout rate. The southpaw should be rostered in more than 41% of Yahoo! leagues.

Rico Garcia, Baltimore Orioles (37%)

Rico Garcia hasn't been as sharp on the mound in his last few appearances, but he's still the top closer for this Orioles team at the moment. The veteran has a 0.87 ERA, three saves, and 25 strikeouts across 20 2/3 innings pitched and will remain in that ninth-inning role until Ryan Helsley returns. The good news for Garcia is that Helsley is still likely a few weeks away from returning.

Jacob Latz, Texas Rangers (33%)

Jacob Latz has officially taken over the Texas Rangers' closer job. He has five saves since April 25 and has pitched in the ninth inning in each of his last eight appearances. During this span, Latz has posted a 2.70 ERA and nine strikeouts across 10 innings. With an elite 2.21 expected ERA and a 98th percentile expected batting average against (.166), he's a top waiver wire pickup.

Tony Santillan, Cincinnati Reds (12%)

The Cincinnati Reds went to Tony Santillan in a save situation on Tuesday against the Philadelphia Phillies. He threw one scoreless inning with two strikeouts in that performance. Even though this has been his only save chance in May, Graham Ashcraft's recent struggles on the mound open the door for Santillan to be Cincinnati's closer. Ashcraft has given up six earned runs across his last three appearances.

Grant Taylor, Chicago White Sox (11%)

There might be a changing of the guard at the closer position for the Chicago White Sox. The White Sox went with Grant Taylor for a save situation on Tuesday despite Seranthony Dominguez being available.

Given that Dominguez has allowed multiple runs in back-to-back save chances, all signs point to Taylor taking over this closer role moving forward. He needs to be added in all leagues with his 1.78 ERA and 38 strikeouts.

GRANT TAYLOR STRIKES OUT THE SIDE IN THE 9TH TO SEAL THE WIN FOR THE @whitesox 🔥 pic.twitter.com/RxnkcabJ7I

— White Sox on CHSN (@CHSN_WhiteSox) May 20, 2026

Gus Varland, Washington Nationals (11%)

Washington Nationals relief pitcher Gus Varland is a potential add in deep leagues in Week 9. He hasn't allowed a run in three straight relief appearances and currently leads the Nationals with four saves. While he hasn't earned a save since May 7, Varland has pitched the ninth inning in two of his last three games. If you are desperately in need of some saves, give him a shot.

Gus Varland blows James Outman's doors to end it. pic.twitter.com/Lrn9O7XFao

— Ted (@tlschwerz) May 7, 2026

Hogan Harris, Athletics (8%)

The Athletics have given Hogan Harris more save opportunities in recent weeks. He saved a game against the Giants on May 15 and was called upon in a save situation in the 10th inning in Wednesday's win against the Angels. The A's continue to run a closer-by-committee, but Harris appears to be in line to tally more saves. The southpaw has a solid 3.00 ERA and 26 strikeouts across 24 innings pitched.

Short Relief: More Closers and Bullpen Notes

-Bryan King earned a save last week against the Rangers. He threw 1 2/3 scoreless innings with one strikeout for his fourth save of the season. However, he's since been deployed in both the seventh inning (5/16) and eighth inning (5/19) in his few recent appearances. With Josh Hader returning soon, there's no need to add King right now.

-Speaking of Hader, he continues to build up on his rehab assignment. He has thrown five scoreless innings with three hits, one walk, and seven strikeouts in his five rehab outings at Double-A and Triple-A. The southpaw should be activated from the 60-day injured list in early June.

- Erik Sabrowski was once again dominant over the past week. He has thrown 11 1/2 scoreless innings with two hits allowed and 24 strikeouts dating back to April 19, and currently owns a 1.71 ERA in 25 appearances this season. Sabrowski is a must-own in hold leagues.

-Ryan Zeferjahn appeared to be the Angels' go-to closer for a bit, but it's too hard to predict this Los Angeles bullpen at the moment. Zeferjahn has allowed an earned run in two of his last three appearances, and one of these bullpen appearances came in the seventh inning (5/20).

-Bryan Baker is locked in as the Rays' closer. He has a 2.66 ERA and 13 saves across his 22 appearances and has earned another two saves over the past week. Baker rises to the No. 7 spot in Nick's latest closer rankings.

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