2025 Fantasy Baseball Closer Rankings & Analysis
2025 Fantasy Baseball Closer Rankings & Analysis This Fantasy Baseball Pitching Strategy is courtesy of Shawn Childs. Read Shawn’s expert fantasy analysis at his Substack. Over the past few seasons, the top 12 closers have outperformed the second tier of 12 starting pitchers in fantasy rankings. A key factor is the decline in starters logging 200+ innings, along with fewer relievers reaching the 30-save threshold. As a result, the benchmark for a fantasy team to remain competitive in saves has dropped. Here’s a breakdown of the top late-inning arms for 2025: Closer Performance in 2024 The top 12 relievers last season averaged: 65 appearances 6 wins 2.21 ERA 0.944 WHIP 32 saves 78 strikeouts Emmanuel Clase led all closers in FPGscore (8.12), ranking fourth among pitchers and eighth overall across hitters and pitchers. His 47 saves provided 8.53 fantasy points, second only to Ryan Helsley (49 saves, 8.96 points). Despite posting only 66 strikeouts, Clase’s ERA (0.601) and WHIP (0.659) gave him a significant fantasy advantage of over five points. Save Distribution Among Relievers 8 closers recorded 30+ saves 14 relievers finished with 20-29 saves 35 pitchers had at least 10 saves Team Bullpen Breakdowns Cleveland Guardians 1. Emmanuel Clase, CLE (ADP – 32.8) Clase has led the AL in saves for three consecutive seasons (42, 44, and 47) while finishing the most games each year. His elite control (1.2 BB/9 in 2022 and 2024) has fueled a career WHIP of 0.892. Groundball rate: 57.4% First-pitch strike rate: 65.9% Strikeout rate dip: 8.0 K/9 in 2024 (down from 9.5 K/9 in 2021-2022) Opponent batting average: .154 (.115 vs. lefties) The Guardians’ bullpen was dominant in 2024: 42-12 record 2.57 ERA, 1.05 WHIP 53 saves, 658 strikeouts over 623 innings Clase relies heavily on an electric 99.6 mph cutter (77.6% usage, .171 BAA) and a devastating slider (.155 BAA, 36.6% whiff rate). Fantasy Outlook: At just 26 years old, Clase already has 158 career saves in 182 chances. His combination of elite command, dominant pitches, and high save potential makes him a coveted asset. While his strikeouts have declined, his dominance in ERA and WHIP is invaluable. If you miss out on top-tier aces, Clase can be an elite fantasy weapon. Handcuff Option – Cade Smith, CLE (ADP – 370.0)Signed as an undrafted free agent in 2022, Smith has improved significantly: Minor league stats: 3.61 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 262 Ks in 167 IP Closer role: 33 minor league saves 2024 MLB performance: 75.1 IP, 2.0 BB/9, .173 BAA Smith is a hidden gem for fantasy managers looking to stabilize ERA and WHIP. If Clase were to miss time, Smith would be the next in line for saves. Oakland Athletics 2. Mason Miller, OAK (ADP – 42.3) Miller’s journey to the majors has been injury-riddled, but when healthy, his stuff is electric. After an early elbow injury in 2023, he transitioned to the bullpen in September and quickly became dominant. First 20.1 IP as a reliever: 2 ER, 13 baserunners, 41 Ks, 9 saves Final season line: 3.22 ERA, 0.985 WHIP, 19 saves, 63 Ks in 44.2 IP Struggled in six outings: 8.1 IP, 13 ER, 24 baserunners Miller’s 101.1 mph fastball was one of the best in baseball, pairing it with a wipeout slider (.126 BAA, 47 Ks). Fantasy Outlook: Among top-tier closers, Miller offers the highest strikeout upside but carries injury concerns and a small track record. If the A’s use him in 70+ games, he could lead all closers in strikeouts. Handcuff Option – Jose Leclerc, OAKLeclerc struggled early in 2024 but found his rhythm midseason. His career-high 4.3 BB/9 remains a concern, but he’s the next in line if Miller falters. New York Mets 3. Edwin Diaz, NYM (ADP – 38.4) After missing 2023 with a knee injury, Diaz had a rocky return last season. He started strong but hit a rough patch in May before rebounding down the stretch. Final 35 games: 15 saves, 2.41 ERA, 0.921 WHIP, 54 Ks in 33.2 IP Elite vs. righties: .158 BAA, 42 Ks in 101 ABs Fastball velocity: 97.6 mph (down from 99.1 in 2022) Diaz remains a strikeout machine, but his save opportunities need to increase to justify his ADP. Fantasy Outlook: Since his 57-save season in 2018, Diaz hasn’t topped 32 saves in any year. His strikeout edge over Clase is clear, but he must convert more saves to be worth a high draft pick. Handcuff Option – A.J. Minter, NYMSigned to a two-year deal, Minter has closer experience (36 career saves) but struggled with injuries last season. He’ll be the primary backup to Diaz. New York Yankees 4. Devin Williams, NYY (ADP – 39.9) Traded to the Yankees in December, Williams battled back issues in 2024 but still delivered elite numbers: 1.25 ERA, 0.969 WHIP, 38 Ks in 21.2 IP Converted 14 of 15 save chances Walk rate (4.6 BB/9) remains a concern Williams’ changeup (45.3% usage, .200 BAA) and fastball (.122 BAA) remain elite, but his command must improve. Fantasy Outlook: Williams is in a contract year, which adds motivation, but his health is a risk. Since taking over as a closer in 2022, he’s gone 15-7 with a 1.66 ERA, 65 saves, and 221 Ks in 141 IP. If he stays healthy, he’s a top-tier option. Handcuff Option – Luke Weaver, NYY (ADP – 354.8)Weaver reinvented himself in the Yankees’ bullpen, posting a 0.90 ERA, 0.721 WHIP, and 79 Ks over his final 59.2 IP. He’s a must-handcuff for Williams in our 2025 Fantasy Baseball Closer Rankings & Analysis. Houston Astros 5. Josh Hader, HOU (ADP – 41.0) Hader’s home run issues (1.5 HR/9) led to inconsistent results in 2024, but he remained dominant in strikeouts: Final line: 8-8 record, 3.79 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 35 saves, 89 Ks Struggled vs. righties: 12 HR allowed Fastball velocity: 96.3 mph Fantasy Outlook: Hader’s reliance on a two-pitch mix (sinker, slider) makes him vulnerable in bad counts. While still an elite closer, he’s no longer the safest
2025 Fantasy Baseball: Auction Pitching Strategy
2025 Fantasy Baseball: Auction Pitching Strategy This Fantasy Baseball Strategy Guide is courtesy of Shawn Childs. Read Shawn’s expert fantasy analysis at his Substack. Pitching is the most challenging part of fantasy baseball. It’s easy to overspend in an auction, aiming to build a strong foundation in ERA, WHIP, and strikeouts. A solid pitching base provides a margin for error in the back end of your rotation, but the downside is a weakened offense due to limited resources. our 2025 Fantasy Baseball: Auction Pitching Strategy provides the ideal game plan to win this season. Unlike other formats, you can’t trade pitching for hitting in high-stakes leagues, making budget balance crucial. It’s difficult to finish in the middle of all five pitching categories, let alone earn 66% of the needed points to be competitive. Given the high injury rates and unpredictability, pitching is the most frustrating part of roster construction. If fantasy managers had their way, they’d allocate most of their budget to hitting and minimizing pitching investments. This should always be the pre-auction plan. Finding Value in Pitching When evaluating the pitching pool, I look for under-the-radar buying opportunities. This could mean targeting a setup reliever poised to take over a closer role early in the season or identifying a $10 starter who could deliver the value of a $20 pitcher. The key is determining whether I can construct a quality pitching staff for less than expected and if my targets will be available at my price points. Managing Saves Most teams will buy one closer, but a single 35-save reliever may only secure four points in saves in a 12-team AL or NL Roto league. That’s a minimal return on a $15+ investment. Typically, a team needs 50+ saves to finish in the top third of the category, which is why many managers either buy saves cheaply or punt the category altogether. Spending 30% of your pitching budget for limited gains isn’t ideal. Before the auction, I decide on my approach to saves: Is there a closer worth a top-tier investment? Are there discounted options that could provide elite value? Is there a reliever with a strong chance of earning the job midseason? While I never fully punt saves, I prefer grabbing a couple of potential closers in the reserve rounds at no cost to my auction budget. Saves can be the deciding factor in winning or losing a league. My goal is to maximize saves per dollar spent, increasing my competitive edge. Top-tier closers contribute more than just saves, and if the price is right, I won’t hesitate to invest. In early fantasy baseball years, elite closers cost close to $30, but the market corrected itself, with top options now around $20. If I’m comfortable paying $15, I need to be ready to pounce if a premier closer stalls in bidding before $20. Building an Ace Foundation Once I set my strategy for saves, I need a strong starting pitching core. This phase of an auction is a great equalizer—big investments in an ace limit flexibility elsewhere unless I commit a larger budget to pitching. When Pedro Martinez was in his prime, I could spend $40+ on him and dominate pitching categories due to his massive ERA, WHIP, and strikeout advantages. But in today’s game, does a $40+ investment in Paul Skenes or Tarik Skubal provide the same edge over the field? Would I be better off with two $20 pitchers instead? Could I build a strong rotation with four solid starters for around $50? Should I prioritize accumulating 200, 400, or 750 high-quality innings? The answers depend on the depth of each year’s pitching pool. In some seasons, there’s a clear drop-off in pitching talent; in others, there’s enough depth to spread investments. After analyzing the player pool, I pinpoint two or three pitchers I want as my staff’s foundation. Like with hitters, I track actual auction prices to see if my targets fit within my budget. If I plan to spend $60 on two starters and a closer, I need to confirm those prices align with my strategy. If a specific pitcher is critical to my plan, I might nominate him early to see if I can land him. Pitching Budget Allocation Most fantasy teams allocate between $60 and $80 to pitching. My goal is to establish a strong base with three key pitchers for $60, then round out my staff with cost-effective arms. The back half of my rotation often determines whether I win or lose. Discipline is essential. If I spend $8 early on a mid-tier pitcher, I might lose the flexibility to grab two $4 pitchers I prefer later. Timing is just as important as price. In some leagues, managers try to dominate pitching by spending $100+. When this happens, it inflates prices for top-end starters. But if everyone targets second-tier aces instead, elite pitchers may come at a relative discount. My pitching strategy dictates my hitting budget. It’s often easier to skimp on pitching and load up on offense, but some years provide opportunities to invest more in arms. In certain seasons, fading ERA and WHIP while maximizing wins, strikeouts, and saves can still earn 50% of the pitching points. Developing a Winning Plan Every fantasy manager must craft a strategy that gives them the best shot at winning. In non-trading auction leagues, investing in core players is key. Research the player pool for value opportunities. Enter the auction with both an early strategy and a contingency plan. Stay disciplined to secure impact players late in the auction. Here are the top 30 pitchers from 2024, ranked by FPGscores: (Note: These FPGscores are based on 12-team mixed leagues. Player values will vary slightly in 15-team leagues, AL- or NL-only leagues, and non-trading formats in the National Fantasy Baseball Championship.) Three of the top seven pitchers in 2024 were closers. Emmanuel Clase ranked first due to his elite performance and strong pre-season price. Ryan Helsley was the best draft-day value closer, while Kirby Yates
2023 Fantasy Baseball Projections: Pitchers
Opening Day is right around the corner. That means it is fantasy baseball draft season! The best way to prepare for your draft is with accurate and updated projections. Our 2023 Fantasy Baseball Projections: Pitchers previews all pitchers with insight from our exclusive FPGscore metric. FPGscore is a deep-diving exclusive metric that analyzes a player’s value relative to their production. It is just the kind of tool the well-prepared drafter needs in their arsenal. And, it can make all the diference on drat day. Here are FullTime Fantasy’s 2023 Fantasy Baseball Projections: Pitchers. Exclusive for FullTime Fantasy Members. Starting Pitchers To read all the MLB TeamOutlooks detailed and analyzed by a high-stakes fantasy baseball legend, become a member today! You can either buy all the Outlooks as a downloadable for a one-time discounted price of $30 or Join the FullTime fam with a Monthly, 6-Month, or Annual Membership which includes everything we do for ALL SPORTS! This week only, use PROMO: SHAWN23, for an additional 15% off any package! GET THE UPDATES! Turn on your email notifications for Breaking Fantasy news alerts & site updates.