5 Undervalued, Overvalued Closers and Relievers for Fantasy Baseball Points Leagues

Welcome back everyone to our ongoing draft series about fantasy baseball points leagues -- today focusing on closers and relief pitchers who are undervalued and overvalued based on fantasy baseball ADPs. Be sure to also bookmark our constantly updated fantasy baseball points rankings.

There is no right strategy when targeting the relief pitcher position in drafts. Securing one of the top relief pitchers in fantasy could go a long way for your fantasy team. Just look at Emmanuel Clase and Ryan Helsley a season ago. Both closers finished top-6 in fantasy points scored among all pitchers on Fantrax in 2024. 

But are they worth spending high picks on in fantasy drafts this season? Let's dive in and look at the relief pitcher landscape heading into the new year. 

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Ryan Pressly, Chicago Cubs

ADP: 252

Relief pitcher Ryan Pressly was traded from the Houston Astros to the Chicago Cubs this offseason, and that is actually great news for his fantasy value in 2025. He'll go from being Josh Hader's setup man to being the frontrunner to close games for the Cubs. As a result, his 252 average ADP is currently too low in points leagues. 

Not only are the Cubs the favorite to win the National League Central, which should mean plenty of save opportunities for Pressly, but the 36-year-old has a ton of experience in that closer role. The right-hander saved over 30 games for the Astros in both 2022 and 2023 before Hader arrived in 2024. So, we could see another 30-plus save season for him. 

Ryan Pressly put in some work on the mound today 💪 pic.twitter.com/MlzfloVU76

— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) February 17, 2025

That's why Pressly is a nice value pick in the later rounds. His chase rate (31.5 percent) still ranked in the 81st percentile last year, and he has finished with under a 3.50 ERA in six of the past seven seasons. While the veteran won't wow fantasy managers with his numbers, he should be a consistent fantasy option on a Cubs team that is expected to win over 86 games. 

Verdict: Undervalued 

Tanner Scott, Los Angeles Dodgers

ADP: 142.3

Relief pitcher Tanner Scott signed a four-year, $72 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers this offseason to be their closer. Shortly after his deal, though, the Dodgers signed veteran Kirby Yates in free agency. Yates saved 33 games for the Rangers last season and has more experience in that closer role than Scott. 

So, it is somewhat understandable why Scott currently has a 142.3 ADP in drafts. But that ADP is way too low for a pitcher who will likely save most games for the Dodgers. Manager Dave Roberts already said a couple of weeks ago that the left-hander will get the "brunt of saves to start the season," which should help him post strong fantasy numbers throughout the year. 

Even if he doesn't see all the save chances in the Los Angeles' bullpen, those playing in hold leagues will want to target him as well. Scott ranked in the 90th percentile or better in several categories last season, including xERA (2.96), xBA (.200), average exit velocity (84.3 mph), and whiff rate (32.7 percent). That all makes him currently undervalued in drafts. 

Verdict: Undervalued

Felix Bautista, Baltimore Orioles

ADP: 83.7

Baltimore Orioles closer Felix Bautista did not pitch during the 2024 season as he worked his way back from Tommy John surgery, but all signs point to him being ready for Opening Day. As a result, he might be one of the best relief pitchers to target in drafts this season, especially at his 83.7 ADP. 

The last time we saw Bautista pitch in the majors was in 2023 when he won the Mariano Rivera American League Reliever of the Year Award. The flame-throwing right-hander finished the year with a 1.48 ERA, 33 saves, and 110 strikeouts across 61 innings. He also finished in the 100th percentile in xERA (2.08), xBA (.142), whiff rate (44.3 percent), and strikeout rate (46.4 percent). 

Félix Bautista back on the mound

A sight for sore eyes pic.twitter.com/PCH7MhDhkq

— Baltimore Banner Sports (@AllBannerSports) February 14, 2025

Now, we don't know if Bautista will get back to those stellar numbers in 2025. However, there is potential for him to finish as the top relief pitcher in fantasy this season. He'll save a ton of games for an excellent Orioles team and should finish toward the top of the position in strikeouts. 

Verdict: Undervalued

Ryan Helsley, St. Louis Cardinals

ADP: 66.3

There's no doubt that Helsley had a phenomenal season in 2024. He led the league with 49 saves and struck out 79 batters across 66 1/3 frames. The Cardinals closer was also a very consistent pitcher option for fantasy managers, as his 523.3 fantasy points on Fantrax ranked first among all relief pitchers. However, he might not be as strong of a fantasy option in 2025.

For starters, Helsley could see fewer save opportunities this upcoming season. The Cardinals were not very active in the free agent market this offseason, and they also lost Paul Goldschmidt to free agency. With Nolan Arenado possibly traded before Opening Day as well, this team could fail to win over 75 games in 2025. 

Ryan Helsley, White Castle Special. 🤮🍔🍔🍔 pic.twitter.com/jyOpkcFR1b

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) September 4, 2024

As a result, it's hard to take a closer in the top 70 of drafts who pitches for a team that has an over/under win total of 76.5. Helsley's xFIP (3.35) also sat 131 points higher than his 2024 ERA (2.04), meaning some regression might be on the horizon for the right-hander. There's just too much risk in taking the Cardinals reliever at this point in drafts. 

Verdict: Overvalued 

Emmanuel Clase, Cleveland Guardians

ADP: 38.3

Clase was the best reliever in baseball last season, and there are not many negative things to say about him following his incredible 2024 campaign. He finished the year with a 0.61 ERA, 47 saves, and 66 strikeouts across 74 1/3 innings. The Guardians closer also ranked in the top five percent of the league in chase rate (36.8 percent), walk rate (3.7 percent), and barrel rate (3.6 percent). 

As elite as Clase was during the 2024 season, though, his 38.3 ADP is way too high in points leagues. He only struck out 66 batters last year, and those strikeouts are very important in this type of format. It's also not worth passing on players like Garrett Crochet (36.3 ADP), Pete Alonso (40.7 ADP), Corey Seager (41 ADP) and Cole Ragans (43.7 ADP) to secure a top relief pitcher. 

Even though Clase will likely finish toward the top of the position in saves and fantasy points, passing on those players above to take the Guardians closer might not be the best move in points leagues. Therefore, it's safe to say that he is extremely overvalued in 2025 fantasy baseball drafts. 

Verdict: Overvalued 

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