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David Bednar 2025 Fantasy Baseball Outlook: Looking To Bounce Back Following Rough 2024 Campaign
After making back-to-back All-Star appearances in 2022 and 2023, Pittsburgh Pirates closer David Bednar had a rough 2024 campaign. He finished the year with a 5.77 ERA and 23 saves while also being relieved of closer duties later in the year. There's no doubt that Bednar did not have a strong season. His walk rate (10.7%) was at an all-time high, and opposing hitters' 9.3% barrel rate against him ranked in the 19th percentile among all pitchers. However, the right-hander will still likely be the Pirates closer in 2025, considering the team hasn't added any back-end relievers to its bullpen in free agency. He will, though, be a riskier closer to select in fantasy drafts. The right-hander is coming off a career-worst campaign, and the Pirates' win total is only set at 73.5. It will be interesting to see which version of Bednar shows up this year. He finished with a 2.00 ERA and 39 saves just two years ago, but last season was a complete disaster for the 30-year-old veteran. RotoBaller has him ranked 187th in rotisserie leagues and 199th in points leagues in 2025.
