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

Five Closers To Target for Saves in 2023 Fantasy Baseball Drafts

Jhoan Duran fantasy baseball rankings closers saves draft sleepers

Pranav Uppalapati looks at five relief pitchers to target for 2023 fantasy baseball drafts. Do they offer any fantasy value for 2023?

The most tricky part of building your fantasy baseball roster is the relief pitchers. Having a superstar closer on your fantasy baseball team can be the key to a winning season.

The problem is superstar relievers don’t just grow on trees. Among the select group of elite closers, it’s hard to find the one that’ll put your team over the top.

If you’re wisely looking to draft elite underrated relief talent this year, here are some guys who should be on your radar.

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

 

Ryan Pressly, Houston Astros

Sure, not the flashiest name one could throw out here, but Ryan Pressly has quietly become one of the game’s best closers. The Astros closer had a career-high 33 saves in 2022.

Pressly’s average draft position (ADP) in 2023 is 86.3, placing him in the second tier of relievers. However, Pressly may very well finish in that first tier. In 2023, ATC projects 32 saves for Pressly – a total that justifies drafting him at his ADP.

As the named closer for the Astros dynasty, Pressly is a reliable bet for easy saves and quality appearances.

 

Felix Bautista, Baltimore Orioles

After the Orioles purged Jorge Lopez at last year’s trade deadline, many assumed that the Orioles had simply returned to rebuilding despite a surprise 16-9 run in July.

Felix Bautista’s emergence at closer last year showed us that the Orioles were only retooling. The rookie quickly made his way up the bullpen totem pole and finished the season with 15 saves.

Along with those 15 saves, Bautista struck out 34.8% of hitters faced and had an expected BA of only .186 – both placing him in the 90th percentile of those marks.

Bautista also brings a type of theatrics that’ll make closing games easier for him.

The ominous use of Omar’s Whistle – from the hit Baltimore-based TV show The Wire – put the fear of god in many opposing hitters, and won significant favor from the hometown fans as well.

Intimidation is one of the most overlooked parts of what makes a great closer - even if it is largely intangible. Like Trevor Hoffman and Mariano Rivera before him, Bautista’s growing mysticism will make him a superstar sooner than later.

With absolutely no threats to his closing role and an ADP of 96, Bautista is a mid-round steal.

 

Raisel Iglesias, Atlanta Braves

A top 12 Cy Young finisher in 2021, and an ERA of 4.04 in the half-season directly after.

Raisel Iglesias has dealt with his fair share of up-and-downs throughout his eight-year career, but he may have found stability in Atlanta.

After coming to the Braves from the Angels at the deadline, Iglesias wowed with only one earned run allowed in 26 innings pitched (IP).

While there have been some concerning stretches (most recently, an abnormal 12 barrels in the first half of the 2022 season), Iglesias has never truly regressed. He hasn’t dipped below the 90th percentile in chase and whiff rates since 2017. His fastball-changeup mix became dangerous this past season as the wOBA for both pitches is sub-.250.

Iglesias is a proven closer who has regained form for a contending team in dire need of a closing option. Draft Raisel Iglesias around his ADP of 88 with confidence.

 

Jhoan Duran, Minnesota Twins

Durán was lethal on the mound in 2022 – due to his possession of one of the scariest arsenals in the league.

His fastball averaged 100.8 MPH – the highest mark in the league. Following that heater is an 88 mph curveball that eluded nearly half of all the bats it saw last year. And of course, no one can forget Durán’s famed splinker (splitter-sinker combo, for those who are unfamiliar) — the first ‘off-speed pitch’ to register triple-digits on the radar gun.

Jhoan Durán finished the season with a respectable 18 holds, eight saves, and two wins.

Inside that somewhat tepid stat line is a nearly unparalleled advanced stat line. Durán was in the top 90th percentile for every expected pitching statistic and had a K, Whiff, and Chase rate in the top 95th percentile.

ATC projects that Durán will finish with only 12 saves. Durán’s fantasy profile is in-line with those projections, as his current ADP is in the mid-100s.

You may be sitting here thinking, “he’s clearly so talented, what gives?” Well, that brings up the Jorge Lopez problem. However, I’m not concerned about Jorge Lopez’s presence. After coming over at the deadline, Lopez had a 4.37 ERA with only four saves.

I’m confident that Durán should take full claim to the closer spot early enough. With that likely development, he’ll finish the season as one of the best relievers in fantasy baseball.

 

Scott Barlow, Kansas City Royals

Last, but CERTAINLY not least, is Royals closer Scott Barlow.

Scott Barlow had statistically similar 2021 and 2022 seasons, but he’s made key improvements in every area – indicating that a better season is ahead.

Most notably, his opponent's exit velocity and hard-hit rates have been gradually decreasing throughout his major league career.

Additionally, Barlow has found his best pitch mix with his production improving upon the decreased use of his fastball.

Barlow had 21 saves in 2022 and is projected by ATC for 20 in this upcoming season. But with 74 IP in back-to-back seasons, Barlow should blow past 20 saves.

The Royals are going to be better this year. Are they going to be world-beaters? Not likely, but they’ll be good enough for Scott Barlow to provide great value as a closer.

With only a 159.3 ADP, Scott Barlow is one of the most underrated relief picks in this year's fantasy baseball draft.



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

Ha-Seong Kim

Removed Early During Season Debut
ARI

Christian Fischer Retires From NHL at 28
NHL

Spencer Martin Moves to Russia
WAS

Anthony Beauvillier Re-Signs With Capitals for Two Years
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Sitting Out With Foot Issue
Isaiah Neyor

Impresses at Minicamp
Houston Rockets

Jock Landale Waived by Rockets
Bo Bichette

Back in Blue Jays Lineup
Jonas Valančiūnas

Jonas Valanciunas Considering Returning to Europe
Miles Sanders

Works With Starters During Mandatory Minicamp
Jabari Walker

Signs Two-Way Deal With Sixers
Chimere Dike

Titans Could Move Chimere Dike Inside
Keandre Lambert-Smith

KeAndre Lambert-Smith not Guaranteed Roster Spot
Anthony Bradford

Working Hard to Win Back Starting Job
Byron Young

Still Improving?
Cody Simon

Jonathan Gannon has Been Impressed With Cody Simon
SirVocea Dennis

has Impressive Offseason
Trevor Penning

Could Still Have a Role in New Orleans
Jonathan Kuminga

Warriors Decline Recent Offer for Jonathan Kuminga
Orlando Magic

Moritz Wagner, Magic Agree to One-Year Deal
Clarke Schmidt

Placed on Injured List
José Soriano

Jose Soriano Throws Gem Against Braves
Robbie Ray

Earns Ninth Win in Complete Game
T.J. Watt

Likely to Reset the Edge-Rush Market
George Springer

Blasts Two Homers, Drives in Four
James Wood

Goes Yard in Five-Hit Night
Bradley Beal

Suns Discussing Potential Buyout
Los Angeles Lakers

Jaxson Hayes Staying with the Lakers
NBA

Damian Lillard "Open" to Signing With a Team This Offseason
Max Muncy

Out at Least Six Weeks
Clarke Schmidt

Leaves Start with Forearm Tightness
Colson Montgomery

Promoted to the Major Leagues
Pittsburgh Steelers

Omar Khan, Steelers Agree to Three-Year Contract
Max Muncy

Goes on Injured List With Knee Bruise
Max Muncy

Out of Thursday's Lineup
James Wood

Joining Home Run Derby
SJ

Sharks Claim Nick Leddy Off Waivers
Max Scherzer

Cleared to Start on Saturday
SJ

Sharks Sign Dmitry Orlov to Two-Year, $13 Million Contract
CAR

Nikolaj Ehlers Joins Hurricanes on Six-Year Contract
Kodai Senga

Could be "in Play" to Return Before All-Star Break
Ha-Seong Kim

Rays Reinstate Ha-Seong Kim From Injured List
Christian Moore

Placed on Injured List With Thumb Sprain
Luis L. Ortiz

the Subject of Gambling Investigation
Jordan Lawlar

to Miss Multiple Weeks With Hamstring Injury
Yordan Alvarez

Receives Encouraging News on his Hand
Chau Smith-Wade

Having Stellar Offseason
Ace Bailey

Inks Rookie Contract With Jazz
Divine Deablo

Could be the Quarterback of the Defense
Isaiah Rodgers

a Likely Starter for the Vikings
Jacob Monk

Sees Plenty of Work With Starters
Avonte Maddox

has Impressed Dan Campbell
Boston Celtics

Josh Minott Inks Deal With Celtics
Chicago Bears

Ruben Hyppolite Shows Notable Improvement
Sandro Mamukelashvili

Heading to Toronto
Daron Payne

Commanders Coaches Impressed With Daron Payne
Danny Gray

Makes Impression During Offseason Workouts
Jared McCain

Not on 76ers Summer League Roster
Dane Belton

Should Have a Role in 2025
Kaiir Elam

Flashes During Offseason Workouts
Dylan Harper

Unavailable for California Classic
COL

Brent Burns Inks One-Year Deal with Avalanche
STL

Blues Land Pius Suter on Two-Year Deal
Morgan Frost

Agrees to Two-Year Extension with Flames
WPG

Gustav Nyquist Moves to Winnipeg
Cody Glass

Devils Re-Sign Cody Glass to Two-Year Deal
PIT

Anthony Mantha Joins Penguins
Cleveland Cavaliers

Larry Nance Jr. Headed Back to Cavaliers
Eric Gordon

Remaining with 76ers
Los Angeles Lakers

Deandre Ayton Joining Lakers
Emil Heineman

Signs Two-Year Deal with Islanders
Simon Holmstrom

Re-Signs with Islanders for Two Years
UTA

Nate Schmidt Signs Three-Year Deal with Mammoth
UTA

Brandon Tanev Moves to Utah on Three-Year Contract
NJ

Evgenii Dadonov Joins Devils on One-Year Deal
BUF

Sabres Snap Up Alex Lyon on Two-Year Contract
Dallas Mavericks

Dante Exum Returning to Dallas
Ryan McLeod

Inks Four-Year Extension with Sabres
NAS

Predators Bring in Nick Perbix on Two-Year Deal
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Has Surgery to Repair a Turf Toe Injury
LA

Cody Ceci Moves to Los Angeles
Charlotte Hornets

Spencer Dinwiddie Lands With Charlotte
Bud Cauley

in Great Form Ahead of John Deere Classic
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

a Player to Avoid at John Deere Classic
Jake Knapp

Riding Momentum Ahead of John Deere Classic
PGA

Sungjae Im Looking for Consistency at John Deere Classic
Ryan Gerard

a Solid Option at John Deere Classic
Rickie Fowler

Looking to Rebound at John Deere Classic
Cameron Champ

a Volatile Option at John Deere Classic
Jackson Suber

Staying Below 70 is Key to Success for Jackson Suber
Kevin Roy

Playing Better Heading into John Deere Classic
Justin Lower

Hoping for Something Positive in Illinois
Ben Kohles

a Long Shot at John Deere Classic
Stephan Jaeger

Attempts to Stop Roller-Coaster Ride
Beau Hossler

Needs a Challenge in Illinois
Harry Higgs

Has Potential at John Deere Classic
Nick Dunlap

Keeps Plugging Through Tough 2025 Season
Milwaukee Bucks

Taurean Prince Staying in Milwaukee
Jeff Green

Signs One-Year Deal to Remain in Houston
Kevin Yu

a Near Must-Play at TPC Deere Run
PGA

J.T. Poston Returns to John Deere Classic Looking for Another High Finish
Thriston Lawrence

a Decent Fit For John Deere Classic
Tom Kim

Not Finding Much to be Happy About Ahead of John Deere Classic
Si Woo Kim

is a Prohibitive Fade at John Deere Classic
Ben Griffin

is the Appropriate Favorite at TPC Deere Run
Daniel Suarez

and Trackhouse Racing Parting Ways After 2025 Season
Ilia Topuria

Becomes The New Lightweight Champion
Charles Oliveira

Knocked Out At UFC 317
Kai Kara-France

Alexandre Pantoja Submits Kai Kara-France
Kai Kara-France

Submitted At UFC 317
Joshua Van

Extends His Win Streak
Brandon Royval

Drops Decision
Renato Moicano

Loses Back-To-Back Fights
Beneil Dariush

Gets Back In The Win Column
Felipe Lima

Suffers His First UFC Loss
Payton Talbott

Bounces Back
Alex Bowman

Competitive Run Ends With Third-Place Finish at Atlanta
Erik Jones

Secures A Top-Five Finish After Adversity In Atlanta
Tyler Reddick

Collects A New Career-Best Finish At Atlanta
Chase Elliott

Ends Winless Skid With Atlanta Victory
Brad Keselowski

Falls Short of Atlanta Victory
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
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF