👉 TAP TO SAVE 30% WITH CODE NEW
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

#1 Expert Projections
Save 30% Now
Import Your Leagues
Props Tool
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
24x7 News and Alerts

ADP Values for Fantasy Baseball: Relief Pitchers

What's up RotoBallers. Welcome back to another article in our series of early ADP value analysis for fantasy baseball.

Today, we'll cover some undervalued and overvalued relief pitchers, to try and help identify draft targets and avoids based on ADP.

Opening Day is still over a month away, but it's never too soon for draft prep. ADP data from early NFBC rankings can give us a glimpse into what other owners are thinking heading into a new campaign.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and resources:

 

Undervalued Relief Pitchers

Jim Johnson, Atlanta Braves (ADP: 219)

Last year, Jim Johnson showed that he may have turned back to a better time in his 11-year career. Recording 20 saves on a 3.06 ERA while striking out just over a batter per inning; Johnson appears to have found success as closer of the Atlanta Braves. Is he a top-10 closer? No, but his recent success paired with the inexperienced relievers he shares the bullpen with provide stability for the 33-year-old veteran as a higher viable selection in fantasy.

Shawn Kelley, Washington Nationals (ADP: 211)

The contending Nationals have an experienced reliever as their closer in Shawn Kelley. An explanation for his appeal at a low 200's ADP stems from Kelley reducing his hits and walks while increasing his strikeouts. Setup relievers Blake Treinen and Koda Glover are talented but likely won't compete with Kelley for the closer job. Veteran former closer Joe Nathan was signed but at 42 years old, he likely will not contend for the closer spot, if he manages to make the major league roster.

Brandon Kintzler, Minnesota Twins (ADP: 285)

The Minnesota Twins are slowly developing pieces for the future. A secure spot on the roster appears to be closer Brandon Kintzler. While he pitched to a 3.15 ERA with just 17 saves, his job appears to be secure. Former closer Glen Perkins is recovering from a significant injury so his likelihood to be ready for the start of the season is slim. Until Perkins proves he's healthy and capable of progressing to high leverage situations, Kintzler is the go-to closer for the Twins. Currently, Kintzler is being drafted after setup relievers. While he does not strike out as many batters as fantasy owners will desire, (5.8 K/9) he will have a stable position as the Twins closer.

Neftali Feliz, Milwaukee Brewers (ADP: 286)

The former closer has had an up-and-down career since 2014 so he will look for consistency in 2017 as the best candidate to close down wins for the Milwaukee Brewers. Entering the season under a rebuilding phase, the Brewers may trade Feliz if his value warrants a desire by other teams over the course of the season. Feliz is a reliable pick for a 3rd closer as long as he stays on the Brewers.

 

Overvalued Relief Pitchers

Wade Davis, Chicago Cubs (ADP: 89)

Statistically, the World Series champion Chicago Cubs have added an elite closer, in Wade Davis, as they look to repeat in 2017. Recent arm-related injuries could keep him from being a top-tier fantasy option. If he can live up to his recent numbers, including a 1.87 ERA with 27 saves and just over a strikeout per inning, Davis will be an outstanding closer for the Cubs and in fantasy. If his injuries present themselves again, Hector Rondon will slide back into the closer's role and owners of Davis will have to search for a replacement. Proceed with caution and backup options if Davis is a top-10 closer in your personal rankings.

Aroldis Chapman, New York Yankees (ADP: 54), Kenley Jansen, Los Angeles Dodgers (ADP: 52), Zach Britton, Baltimore Orioles (ADP: 64)

If you're thinking about drafting these guys early, check out Nick Mariano's primer on why you should avoid paying for saves. The three elite closers of the league are standing out in the game and in fantasy. All with ADPs in the first 6 rounds, these three closers are being selected minimum 12 picks ahead of the next best closer available, Mark Melancon. Are Aroldis Chapman, Kenley Jansen and Zach Britton in a class of their own? Yes, but strictly for their MLB teams. The easiest explanation is the fear of missing out. As fantasy owners are drafting and notice Chapman comes off the board, Jansen is highly sought for and is taken soon after because owners fear they will not have a great closer. These three relievers will put numbers up that stand out among their peers but for fantasy, valuable players who will contribute in more ways will be missed out as fantasy teams are put together without maximizing the value at each pick. Draft these three later, fill other higher contributing positions then find a successful closer that will add enough value to your fantasy team.

 

More Undervalued & Overvalued Picks


Check out RotoBaller's entire fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and sleepers list, updated daily!




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

#1 Expert Projections
Save 30% Now
Import Your Leagues
Props Tool
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Jacob Bridgeman

Looks to Return to Elite Form at Harbour Town
J.J. Spaun

a Volatile Option at RBC Heritage
PGA

Sungjae Im Offers High-Upside Value at RBC Heritage
Matt Fitzpatrick

Set for Another Strong Showing at RBC Heritage
Jason Day

Eyes Bounce Back After Sunday Struggles at the Masters
Akshay Bhatia

Looking to Rebound at Harbour Town
Zay Flowers

Set to Face Competition After Career-Best Season?
Detroit Lions

Lions Open to Trading Up in the NFL Draft
New York Giants

Giants and Dexter Lawrence Reach a Contract Impasse
Jordan Mason

Is Jordan Mason's Buy-Low Window Still Open?
Dak Prescott

Still a Dynasty Target After Leading NFL in Completions
CeeDee Lamb

Trending Down Slightly in Dynasty Leagues?
Ketel Marte

Diamondbacks Expect Ketel Marte to Return on Wednesday
Zay Flowers

Ravens Could Add Receiver in First Round to Pair With Zay Flowers
Cameron Young

Hoping to Secure Second Win of Season at RBC Heritage
Scottie Scheffler

Looks to Win Again at RBC Heritage
Shane Lowry

Has Disappointing Final Round at Masters
Viktor Hovland

Hoping to Build on Final Round at Masters
Brian Harman

Struggling For Consistency Heading to RBC Heritage
Chris Gotterup

Putting Together Outstanding 2026 Season
Derwin James Jr.

Looking for a New Deal?
NFL

Oscar Delp to Visit With Buccaneers, Chargers
Emilio Pagán

Emilio Pagan Getting Hamstring Checked After Earning Save on Tuesday
Justin Thomas

Looks to Defend in Hilton Head
Kimani Vidal

Chargers Officially Re-Sign Kimani Vidal
Jordan Spieth

in Search of Improved Putting at RBC Heritage
Willson Contreras

Exits Early on Tuesday Due to Lower-Back Tightness
A.J. Brown

Still With the Eagles
George Pickens

Cowboys Not Receiving Trade Interest in George Pickens
Marco Penge

May Continue Up-and-Down Ride at the RBC Heritage
Jerami Grant

Coming Off the Bench Tuesday
Xander Schauffele

Could Get The Job Done at RBC Heritage
Quinten Post

Won't Play Wednesday
Jake Knapp

Keeps Building Strong Results in 2026
Draymond Green

Available Wednesday Night
Bam Adebayo

Ruled Out for Rest of Tuesday's Game
Kurt Kitayama

Trying to Regain Form From Florida
Collin Morikawa

Continues to be a Scary DFS Play at RBC Heritage
Kawhi Leonard

Ready for Play-In Action
PGA

J.T. Poston Tries to Keep Momentum at Hilton Head
Grayson Allen

Won't Play Tuesday Night
Bam Adebayo

Questionable to Return Tuesday
Jerami Grant

Returns to Action Tuesday
Robert MacIntyre

Seeking Better Start at the RBC Heritage
Triston Casas

Shut Down With Abdominal Strain
Jaxson Hayes

Ready for Game 1 Against Rockets
Zion Williamson

Pelicans Not Interested in Trading Zion Williamson
Johni Broome

Remains Out Wednesday
Trendon Watford

Probable for Wednesday
Wyatt Langford

is Returning on Tuesday
Royce O'Neale

and Mark Williams Available on Tuesday
Jett Howard

Iffy for Wednesday
Ketel Marte

Scratched on Tuesday With Back Tightness
Nick Pivetta

Heads to 15-Day Injured List With Elbow Inflammation
Jonathan Isaac

Questionable for Wednesday
Dillon Brooks

Available for Tuesday's Play-In Game Against Portland
Pelle Larsson

Active on Tuesday
John Marino

a Game-Time Call Tuesday
Austin Reaves

Slated to Miss at Least One More Week
Pyotr Kochetkov

Starting for Hurricanes Tuesday
Gabriel Moreno

Diamondbacks Put Gabriel Moreno on 10-Day Injured List With Oblique Strain
Matvei Gridin

Returns to Action Tuesday
Cole Ragans

Returning to the Mound on Tuesday Against Tigers
Ryan Pulock

Unavailable for Season Finale
Luis Arraez

Back in Giants Lineup on Tuesday
Evander Kane

Not Expected to Play This Week
Erik Karlsson

Kris Letang Won't Play Tuesday
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Set to Miss at Least One More Week
Sidney Crosby

Evgeni Malkin Resting on Tuesday
Dallas Cowboys

Cowboys Looking to Trade Up in the First Round of 2026 NFL Draft?
Jackson Chourio

Estimated Return Pushed Back to Early May
Christian Yelich

Expected to Return in Mid-to-Late May
Jackson Holliday

to be Shut Down a Few Days With Wrist Soreness
NFL

Teams Concerned About Rueben Bain Jr.'s Off-the-Field Issues
Brandon Allen

Giants Sign Brandon Allen to Add to QB Room
Denver Broncos

Eli Stowers Visiting With Broncos
Dontayvion Wicks

Could End Up Being Eagles WR2
New York Jets

Omar Cooper Jr. Visits With Jets on Monday
Miami Dolphins

Makai Lemon Visits With Dolphins on Monday
Ja'Tavion Sanders

Looks Good After Ankle Surgery
Tank Dell

2026 Availability Still a Mystery
Christian Yelich

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Groin Strain
Jeremiah Jackson

has Career Day on Monday
Jake Burger

Goes Yard Twice in Win Over A's
Mike Trout

Two Homers, Five RBI Not Enough at Yankee Stadium
Trent Grisham

Comes Off the Bench to Hit Two Homers
Aaron Judge

Homers Twice on Monday in Win Over Angels
Mark Scheifele

Establishes New Franchise Record With 101 Points
Quinton Byfield

Scores Twice in Playoff Clincher
Porter Martone

Extends Point Streak to Five Games
Macklin Celebrini

Nets Two Goals Against Predators
Matt Duchene

Registers Three Assists Monday Night
Nikita Kucherov

Hits 130-Point Mark in Monday's Overtime Win
Jack Eichel

Collects Four Points Against Jets
Jordan Goodwin

Returns From Two-Game Absence
Jerami Grant

Tagged as Questionable for Tuesday
Nolan Arenado

Hits Two Homers, Drives in Five on Monday
Brandon Lowe

Stays Hot in Monday's Blowout Win Over Nationals
Tage Thompson

Reaches 40 Goals
Mavrik Bourque

has a Hat Trick on Monday
Frank Nazar

Good to Go Monday
Brandon Hagel

Misses Monday's Action
Radek Faksa

Michael Bunting, Radek Faksa Rejoin Stars Lineup Monday
MIN

Wild Resting Several Key Players Monday
Jared McCann

to Miss Kraken's Last Three Games
CFB

Tramell Jones Jr. Outperforms Aaron Philo During Florida's Spring Scrimmage
CFB

Keelon Russell Flashes in Alabama's Spring Game
Ty Gibbs

Holds off the Field for His First Cup Series Victory at Bristol
Ryan Blaney

Earns His First Runner-Up Finish at Bristol
Kyle Larson

Dominant Performance At Bristol Falls Short of Victory
Tyler Reddick

Matches his Career-Best Finish at Bristol
Alex Bowman

Crashes Early at Bristol in Return From Injury
Carlos Ulberg

Is The New Light Heavyweight Champion
Jiří Procházka

Jiri Prochazka Suffers First-Round Knockout Loss
Azamat Murzakanov

Suffers His First Loss
Paulo Costa

Wins Back-to-Back Fights
Curtis Blaydes

Drops Decision At UFC 327
Josh Hokit

Remains Unbeaten
Carson Hocevar

Is Carson Hocevar A Worthy DFS Option for Bristol Lineups?
NASCAR

Could Bubba Wallace Be A Solid DFS Option for Bristol Lineups?
Carlos Ulberg

A Slight Underdog
Jiří Procházka

Jiri Prochazka Can Become UFC Champion Again
Paulo Costa

Makes his Light-Heavyweight Debut
Azamat Murzakanov

Looks To Remain Unbeaten
Josh Hokit

Looks To Remain Undefeated
Curtis Blaydes

A Favorite At UFC 327
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF