Fantasy Baseball Closer Report (Week 5): See Which Relievers Are Closing Games Now
John Fisher/Getty Images. Pictured: Josh Hader.
This is the first time in three reports where the overall closer situation in Major League Baseball is relatively calm. (Check back in two weeks when the report is 5,000-plus words because I jinxed it.)
Fantasy baseball players are always on the hunt for saves. So every other week during the Major League Baseball season, we’ll be checking in on the backends of those bullpens. Whose job is steady? Whose is uncertain? Who is waiting in the wings and ready to poach some saves?
We’ll break it all down below in different categories, ranging from those who have their job locked down to speculative adds worth keeping your eye on.
Locked In
- Liam Hendriks – Chicago White Sox
- Ryan Pressly – Houston Astros
Since we last convened, Pressly has allowed his first two earned runs of the season but has a sterling 1.50 ERA.
- Raisel Iglesias – Los Angeles Angels
- Aroldis Chapman – New York Yankees
- Diego Castillo – Tampa Bay Rays
- Ian Kennedy – Texas Rangers
The veteran is tied for second in baseball with seven saves, just like we all expected.
- Will Smith – Atlanta Braves
- Craig Kimbrel – Chicago Cubs
- Kenley Jansen – Los Angeles Dodgers
- Josh Hader – Milwaukee Brewers
The southpaw worked three consecutive days for the first time in his career over the weekend. The Brewers are losing arms at an alarming pace, and Hader could be in line for an exhaustive workload.
- Edwin Díaz – New York Mets
- Hector Neris – Philadelphia Phillies
- Lou Trivino – Oakland Athletics
- Emmanuel Clase – Cleveland Indians
Look up videos of his cutter. There is a reason why batters are barely hitting .230 across the game.
- Matt Barnes – Boston Red Sox
- César Valdez – Baltimore Orioles
I have been wrong about Valdez, and that is a good thing. I’m happy for the long-time reliever.
- Brad Hand – Washington Nationals
- Mark Melancon – San Diego Padres
- Yimi Garcia – Miami Marlins
- Richard Rodriguez – Pittsburgh Pirates
- Alex Reyes – St. Louis Cardinals
Jordan Hicks may be lost for some time, and Giovanny Gallegos has been asked to get the game to Reyes, who also has seven saves.
- Jake McGee – San Francisco Giants
Getting Save Opportunities, But No Lock
- Gregory Soto – Detroit Tigers
- Stefan Crichton – Arizona Diamondbacks
Crichton is the safest option for now. The D-backs are hitting their way to wins, so there is value in rostering him.
- Josh Staumont – Kansas City Royals
- Taylor Rogers – Minnesota Twins
Alex Colomé has fallen apart, leaving Rogers as the de facto closer.
Closer Committees
- Kendall Graveman and Rafael Montero – Seattle Mariners
This is very much matchup dependent, but both have been good over the past two weeks.
- Rafael Dolis and Jordan Romano– Toronto Blue Jays
- Daniel Bard – Colorado Rockies
I am sure I am not the only one who suffered from his 108.00 ERA from May 2.
- Lucas Sims, Amir Garrett and Tejay Antone – Cincinnati Reds
Injury Opportunities
I take pride in saying there are no new injuries.
Next Man Up Adds
- Jose Cisnero – Detroit Tigers
- Giovanny Gallegos – St. Louis Cardinals
- Mychal Givens – Colorado Rockies
Next man up for the Rockies is the former Orioles closer.
- A.J. Minter – Atlanta Braves
- Kevin Ginkel – Arizona Diamondbacks
- Devin Williams – Milwaukee Brewers
The reigning National League Rookie of the Year has his “airbender” working again, and he could get some spot saves for the reeling Brewers bullpen when Hader is unavailable.
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