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

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

2025 Fantasy Baseball Closers and Saves: Bullpen Draft Strategies and Later-Round Targets

Mason Miller - Fantasy Baseball Rankings, MLB Prospects, Draft Sleepers

Mike's fantasy baseball closers and saves strategies and sleepers for 2025 drafts. His fantasy baseball bullpen tips and later-round relief pitcher targets.

You will hear lots of discussion in the offseason on draft strategy for fantasy baseball. It seems it changes annually; for example, people will say things like "shortstop is deep this year" while suggesting "get your corner infielders early." The one position we struggle to define strategy for, year after year, is drafting closers and finding those ever-elusive saves.

How we attack this vital category varies widely by league. In both 10- and 12-team leagues, you can find waiver depth through your league's FAAB process. However, in 15-team leagues and deeply competitive leagues, saves will be much harder to find in plentiful supply. Thus, you may need to spend precious draft capital to be able to get saves.

One thing working to your advantage: you need fewer saves to be competitive and middle-of-the-pack in the category. In a 15-team league, you might only need 60-70 saves to be competitive in the category, depending on several factors. Let's take a deeper dive below for how to approach fantasy baseball closers and saves in 2025.

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

 

Saves Distribution

According to research done by Jeff Zimmerman, about half of all the saves go to the initial closer. It was 52% in 2024, 58% in 2023, and 49% in 2021 and 2022. That means you have a 50/50 shot at that closer you draft, initially finishing the season with the job. The odds aren't great.

So what do we do as players mining for this fantasy gold? The chart below shows the spread of saves for the last three seasons. Of note: only eight closers earned more than 30 saves in 2024, while the other numbers remain steady. This makes hitting on that first closer tantamount to success.

 

Using Relief Pitcher "Stuff" as a Starting Point

I like to look at things like the chart below to see how a closer's pure "stuff" ranks up against other arms as an opening exercise in this activity. Below is Ryan Helsley. If you use Statcast at all, you likely know red is good! What I am looking for in a closer is elite skills: a K% above 28%, a K-BB rate of 20 or more, good whiff and chase percentages, and how hard they usually get hit.

In this case, Helsley checks all the boxes for elite production at the position. However, caveat emptor again: his injury history must give you pause, but if he is healthy, he is a top choice for the position. Helsley posted seven wins and 49 saves with a 2.04 ERA, a 1.10 WHIP, and 79 strikeouts in 66 innings. Elite production with good health.

 

Know Your League Format and Scoring System

The first and perhaps most obvious caveat is to know your league format and scoring system. You would be surprised how many people do not look at this or, worse yet, assume that they know the scoring system.

Several times a season, a friend will reach out to me and ask for an opinion on an addition to their team, and I will ask them first, what is the scoring system? League size? This is of vital importance as you build or add to your roster.

Are you in a pure 5x5 league? Are you in a league that counts saves + holds? Or one that uses holds as a category on its own?  They do exist. A recent informal poll I conducted on X showed that 43% of leagues count only saves, 37% have a saves + holds category, and 20% have saves and holds as a separate category.

Saves and holds are growing in popularity as a category but have not fully caught on in the industry yet; some leagues are using saves and half-point holds, where closers still have a greater value than other high-leverage relievers. But this is a start to give those high-leverage pitchers who do not earn saves value in our leagues.

This informs how you build the roster. If the category is purely saves, you can try and roster the amount you think you will need in the draft. If you feel confident finding saves through the waiver wire or your FAAB process, just know that strategy can be fraught with peril. A strategy to use there would be to try and target the "next" guy up should a closer be struggling.

Let's use an example to illustrate this point: say Felix Bautista struggles with his command coming back from Tommy John surgery, and the Baltimore Orioles are mulling over a change. Andrew Kittredge might be the guy you targeted there a week earlier to garner those saves should he get opportunities.

The deeper the league, the harder it will be to find these replacement pitchers. Often they will be snatched up in the late rounds of snake drafts.

Stay ahead of your peers in this category by following the trials and tribulations of bullpens. There are several excellent resources on X to find this information. I am old and still love to read old-fashioned box scores. They tell you what is happening. Pay little attention to what managers say and only what they do.

Look at the Los Angeles Dodgers, for example. They have five guys who can easily get saves in that bullpen: Tanner Scott, Kirby Yates, Michael Kopech, Evan Phillips, and Blake Treinen. This could be a frustrating situation for fantasy players all season. Good luck with this one.

League context matters. Do you know your league mates? Do you have some inkling of how they value relief pitchers? Some league-mates might place a higher value on closers than you do, or vice versa. Do you have access to historical information on their draft predilections?

This is all helpful information as you plan your strategy. It is definitely worth looking at how your league-mates have drafted in the past to give you some background knowledge of how they value the category.

 

There is No Such Thing as a "Sure" Thing

Some fantasy players will value the idea of locking up a "sure" thing even though we know there is no such thing as a sure thing. Finding saves can be a volatile exercise as the year-to-year reliability is low. Even the top saves guys can lose their job due to ineffectiveness or injury.

If we look at 30 saves as our benchmark for an elite closer, there are only three relief pitchers who have had 90+ saves since 2022: Emmanuel Clase (133), Josh Hader (102), and Kenley Jansen (96). One of those guys is currently unemployed (Jansen).

My point is that we just don't know, despite our best efforts to get this knowledge. We all agree that Andres Munoz is the closer for Seattle. He's generally selected in the top 10 closers for our game, with an ADP at this writing of 89.

If your benchmark for saves in your top closer is 30, how many times has Munoz gotten to that number? You might guess two or three times. He's never reached it, and he's never even gotten to 25. His highest total was last year with 22 saves. Yet he's being drafted as an elite closer.

The issue is that he is a tremendous pitcher, but historically, he's sometimes used in the seventh or eighth inning to get key outs in the middle of the batting order, thus leaving the save for someone else. You're currently playing a sixth-round price for a guy who might not return that value to you.

Do you see the danger here? He's also a tantalizing talent and could easily get 35 saves if his usage changes a bit. With manager Dan Wilson in charge now, perhaps that changes. The fact remains: we just don't know despite our best efforts to know. See Munoz's career lines below: a fantastic arm but a little light on saves.

You need fewer saves to be competitive in the category in most leagues today. However, unless you punt the category, you are going to need to bank about 70 saves to finish in the middle of the pack. For example, when looking at NFBC Draft Champions leagues in 2023, you needed 74 saves to be in the 80th percentile, and 82 saves for the 90th percentile.

You're going to need some combination of relievers to get to this number. You might feel that getting two potential 30+ saves guys will get you there. Let's say you draft Raisel Iglesias as your top closer, and a few rounds later, you roster David Bednar. That could get you 60-70 saves right there.

In doing that, you should know that you may need to augment your team via your league's free-agent acquisition process. Or, you might take a later-round flyer on a middle reliever who could get save opportunities should a change happen on their team or young rookies who could explode up the depth chart quickly.

Here, I think of guys like Philadelphia's Orion Kerkering, who could get an opportunity if Jordan Romano is injured or ineffective. Colorado's Seth Halvorsen fits here, too, if he does not win the job outright in Spring Training. Below, you see Kerkering's Statcast page and why people are high on him in drafts.

 

Closers and Bullpen Draft Strategies

Try to draft one closer early who you'll project for 30+ saves. I would recommend in most leagues (especially 15-teamers) that you get a closer in the first seven or eight rounds. Then you can build around that with picks later in the draft, targeting lower-tier closers or high-leverage arms that could find themselves ascending to a closer role should injury or ineffectiveness plague their team's top option.

For example, let's say you roster Robert Suarez as a closer, but in doing so, it is best to be aware of some of the hazards. In that case, selecting Jeremiah Estrada later in the draft offers you an opportunity to get the Padres' saves without pause should something happen to Suarez, like a trade or ineffectiveness. If nothing else, Estrada gives you strikeouts, and the possible ratio helps.

Mining in the middle relief corps for breakout closer candidates will help you with ratios and strikeouts, at the very least. Being aware of the next guy up is crucial so that you can add them through your league's free agent acquisition process. Some pitchers who could fit here are Justin SlatenPrelander BerroaRobert Garcia, and Tony Santillan, among others.

I will share the strategy that I used last year in GLARF to give you an example of my process. GLARF is one of my toughest leagues, and as part of the Earth League, the competition is tough. I selected Emmanuel Clase in the fourth round to get that solid base of saves. I waited on my next closer until round 15, when I selected Mason Miller.

I followed that the next round with a terrible pick in Alex Lange. I grabbed Bryan Abreu late in the draft for ratio stabilization and strikeouts. Through some FAAB additions, I was able to finish tied for first in the category with 76 saves. It was a good season on that front, but my starting pitching betrayed me in the end.

The thing is, I may have overinvested in saves and could have potentially used that surplus elsewhere. My lesson: always be learning in this game. But..nabbing Clase and Miller looked pretty good, right?

You can also look for high-leverage guys on perceived playoff teams: Matt Strahm in Philadelphia, Griffin Jax in Minnesota, Cade Smith in Cleveland, and A.J. Puk in Arizona (if he is not closing). These will get some save opportunities, rack up 20+ holds, and help in other categories like strikeouts, ERA, and WHIP. Protect those precious ratios at all costs!

I would also strongly recommend looking at relief pitchers with a solid K-BB rate while looking at high strikeout rates. It's not rocket science, but the best pitchers to roster are those who miss the most bats.

All in all, there is not one strategy that is better than others. You have to cater your decision-making process to the league you are trying to win. Best of luck, and if you have questions, you can always hit me up @mdrc0508 on X. Happy drafting!



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy baseball app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, sleepers, prospects & more. All free!



More Fantasy Baseball Advice




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Kerry Carpenter

Leaves Game with Apparent Hamstring Injury
Day'Ron Sharpe

Heads to Free Agency
Santi Aldama

Receives Qualifying Offer
Moritz Wagner

has Team Option Declined
Jabari Smith Jr.

Signs Massive Extension
Jusuf Nurkić

Hornets Trading Jusuf Nurkic to Utah
Collin Sexton

Heading to Charlotte
Cam Thomas

Set for Restricted Free Agency
Bobby Portis

Staying in Milwaukee
Jonas Brodin

Expected to Miss Start of Next Season
TB

Conor Sheary Placed on Waivers for Contract Termination
James Harden

Clippers Agree on a New Contract
Dante Fabbro

Stays with Blue Jackets on Four-Year Deal
Joel Hofer

Commits to Blues for Two More Years
Kevin Bahl

Signs Long-Term Extension with Flames
Oneil Cruz

Smacks Two Homers
Jordan Spence

Traded to Ottawa
Petr Mrazek

Heads to Anaheim
John Gibson

Red Wings Acquire John Gibson
Matthew Knies

Inks Six-Year Extension with Maple Leafs
Aaron Judge

Blasts Two Homers, Dealing With Back Issue
Claude Giroux

Signs One-Year Deal with Senators
Yordan Alvarez

has Chance to Return Next Weekend
Julius Randle

Signs Three-Year Extension
Kelly Oubre Jr.

Opts into Player Option
Luis Robert Jr.

Heads to Injured List
Gabriel Arias

Carted Off on Sunday
Bryce Harper

Faces Live Pitching
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Remains Out on Sunday
Utah Jazz

Bojan Bogdanovic Retiring From Basketball
Dorian Finney-Smith

Declines Player Option
Jaylin Williams

Signing Three-Year Extension
LeBron James

Accepts Player Option
Anfernee Simons

"a Possible Re-Trade Candidate"
Chase Elliott

Ends Winless Skid With Atlanta Victory
Brad Keselowski

Falls Short of Atlanta Victory
NFL

NFL Won't Hold Supplemental Draft This Year
Damon Arnette

Getting Second Chance With Texans
Deommodore Lenoir

Arrested for Obstruction of Justice
Yordan Alvarez

Eyeing Return Before All-Star Break
Kevin Porter Jr.

Declining Player Option
Carson Hocevar

Recovers From Big One to Finish 10th at Atlanta
William Byron

Caught up in Atlanta Big One but Retains Points Lead
Denny Hamlin

Top In-Season Challenge Seed Denny Hamlin Eliminated in Lap 70 Crash
Ty Dillon

Bottom Seed Ty Dillon Upsets Denny Hamlin to Advance in In-Season Challenge
Quinn Priester

Fans 11 in One-Hit Gem
Garrett Temple

Returning to Toronto
Nicolas Batum

Declines Player Option
Spencer Schwellenbach

Dominant in Victory
Keon Johnson

Gets Team Option Picked Up
Rayan Rupert

Staying in Portland
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Expected to Make Second-Year Jump
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Out of Lineup Saturday
Jalin Hyatt

Looking to Flip the Script in 2025
Garrett Mitchell

to Undergo Shoulder Surgery
José Ramírez

Jose Ramirez in Guardians Lineup on Saturday
Kyle Larson

Don't Expect Kyle Larson to Win First Drafting Track Race on Saturday
Christopher Bell

Unlikely to Complete Atlanta Sweep
Brad Keselowski

Seeks Another Clutch Win for Hail-Mary Playoff Bid
Chris Buescher

Unlikely to Lead Enough to Have Much DFS Value
Alex Bowman

Qualifies Best Among Non-Fords but Unlikely to Contend at Atlanta
Ryan Preece

Will Probably Run Better Than Usual at Atlanta
Austin Dillon

Consistently Mediocre at Atlanta
Ty Gibbs

Slightly Faster Lately but Unlikely to be a Factor at Atlanta
Erik Jones

a Low-Key Strong DFS Option
Noah Gragson

Could Have DFS Value as One of the Lowest-Qualifying Fords
Riley Herbst

Unlikely to Replicate February Atlanta Finish
Ty Dillon

Could Benefit from Kaulig Speed
Cody Ware

Rarely Enough Attrition at Atlanta for Cody Ware to Seriously Contend
Ryan Blaney

Is Always Strong at Atlanta
Joey Logano

Wins Pole, Looking for Third Atlanta Win
Chase Burns

Slated to Make Next Start on Monday
Dylan Sampson

Being Used as a Receiver
Carson Schwesinger

Figures to be in Full-Time Role in 2025
Cedric Tillman

Should Have Full-Time Role
Bryce Young

Looking More Comfortable, Showing More Intensity
Charlie Coyle

Blue Jackets Acquire Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood From Colorado
Jack Quinn

Signs Up for Two More Years with Sabres
Brandon Saad

Stays in Vegas on One-Year Deal
Trent Frederic

Inks Eight-Year Extension
Josh Naylor

Exits Friday's Contest Early with Neck Stiffness
Emil Heineman

Shipped to the Islanders
Noah Dobson

Traded to Montreal
John Tavares

Agrees to Four-Year Extension with Maple Leafs
Sam Bennett

Signs Eight-Year Extension with Panthers
NYI

Islanders Select Matthew Schaefer With No. 1 Pick in NHL Draft
José Berríos

Jose Berrios Tosses Seven Scoreless Innings in Fourth Win
Nick Martinez

Flirts With No-Hitter, Settles for Win
Gary Sánchez

Gary Sanchez Homers, Reaches Five Times in Onslaught
Trea Turner

Blasts Two Homers, Steals Base
Los Angeles Angels

Ron Washington to Remain on Medical Leave for Rest of the Season
Aaron Rodgers

Roman Wilson Could Fit Nicely With Aaron Rodgers
Josh Simmons

on Schedule to Open the Year as a Starter
Micah Parsons

Contract Length an Issue for Cowboys, Micah Parsons
Denver Broncos

Broncos Unsure How Their Running Back Room Will Look
Russell Wilson

Not the Only Leader in Giants Clubhouse
Jihaad Campbell

to Begin at Inside Linebacker
Josh Conerly Jr.

to Play Right Tackle for Now
Tyleik Williams

Expected to Fill Big Role Right Away
Malaki Starks

Should Make an Immediate Impact
James Pearce Jr.

Impressing the Falcons
Jaxson Dart

has "Excellent" Spring
Donovan Jackson

has Inside Track on Starting Job
Charles Oliveira

Can Become A Two-Time Lightweight Champion
Ilia Topuria

A Favorite At UFC 317
Kai Kara-France

Can Become The New Flyweight Champion
Alexandre Pantoja

Set For Fourth Title Defense At UFC 317
Joshua Van

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Brandon Royval

Looks For His Third Win In A Row
Renato Moicano

Returns At UFC 317
Beneil Dariush

An Underdog At UFC 317
Payton Talbott

Looks To Bounce Back
Felipe Lima

Set To Open Up UFC 317 Main Card
Daniil Tarasov

Panthers Bring in Daniil Tarasov
Frederick Gaudreau

Kraken Pick Up Frederick Gaudreau From Wild
Michael Thorbjornsen

Returns in Detroit at Rocket Classic
Adam Hadwin

Could Struggle Over the Weekend in Detroit
Cam Davis

Hopes Detroit Magic Can Spark Turnaround
Matt Wallace

a Boom-or-Bust Option at Rocket Classic
Joel Dahmen

Not Cutting it Lately
Michael Kim

Searching for Spark at Rocket Classic
Rasmus Hojgaard

a High-Ceiling Play in Rocket Classic
Matt McCarty

a Wild Card Heading into Detroit
Emiliano Grillo

Rolling into the Summer Season
Rickie Fowler

Looking for More Magic at Rocket Classic
Wyndham Clark

Brings High Upside to Detroit Golf Club
Max Greyserman

Could Make Noise at Rocket Classic
Akshay Bhatia

a Strong Value Play at Rocket Classic
Eric Cole

Hoping for Better Times at Rocket Classic
Beau Hossler

Searching for Form at Rocket Classic
PGA

Byeong Hun An in Good Form Heading into Rocket Classic
Cameron Young

Looking For Redemption and Possible First Career Victory in Detroit
Collin Morikawa

is The Headliner This Week in Detroit For Good Reason
Si Woo Kim

Back in Competition After Last Week's Withdrawal
PGA

Alex Noren Finishes Tied For 30th at Travelers Championship
Kurt Kitayama

Misses The Cut at RBC Canadian Open
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF