2025 Fantasy Baseball: Top Five Closers

Over the last few seasons, the average top 12 closers ranked above the second tier of 12 starting pitchers. The decline of pitchers throwing more than 200.00 innings is a significant factor. In addition, fewer relief pitchers are securing 30 saves or more, thus lowering the bar needed for a fantasy team to reach the midpack in saves. Here’s a look at the best late-inning arms in 2024:

The best 12 relievers last season averaged 65 appearances with six wins, a 2.21 ERA, 0.944 WHIP, 32 saves, and 78 strikeouts. Emmanuel Clase ranked first in FPGscore (8.12) for closer, fourth for overall pitchers, and 8th for combined hitters and pitchers. His edge came from gaining 8.53 fantasy points in the save category (47), which was second to Ryan Helsley (8.96 fantasy points – 49 saves). Clase had over 5.00 fantasy advantage in ERA (0.601) and WHIP (0.659) despite delivering only 66 strikeouts.

Only eight closers secured at least 30 saves. There were another 14 relievers that finished between 20 and 29 saves. Thirty-five pitchers had a floor of 10 saves.

Cleveland Guardians Bullpen

1 – Emmanuel Clase, CLE (ADP – 32.8)

Clase led the American League in saves over the past three seasons (42, 44, and 7), along with the most games finished (67, 65, and 66). His walk rate was elite in 2022 (1.2) and 2024 (1.2), leading to a winning edge in WHIP (0.892) for his career.

He continues to have a high groundball rate (57.4) while setting a new top in his first-pitch strike rate (65.9). Clase lost some of his strikeout ability over the past two years (8.0 in 2024 and 7.9 in 2023 – 9.5 K/9 from 2021 to 2022). Batters hit .154 against him last season, with success against lefties (.115 – three extra-base hits over 122 at-bats).

In 2024, the Guardians’ bullpen went an incredible 42-12 (30 games over .500) with a 2.57 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 658 strikeouts, and 53 saves over 623.0 innings. Their relievers accounted for 45.7% of Cleveland’s wins.

Clase throws an electric cutter (99.6 mph, 77.6% usage, and .171 BAA) as his top pitch. His slider (.155 BAA) has more value in strikeouts (36.6%) than his cutter (22.1%), but he threw it only 22.4% of the time in 2024.

Fantasy Outlook: At age 26, Clase already has 158 saves over his 182 chances. He brings elite command and two-plus pitches with the potential to have another gear in strikeouts. The fantasy market will fight for his 40-plus saves, as they should. For a drafter missing out on the top-tier aces, Clase shouldn’t be overlooked as an advantage to fantasy teams. For comparison, Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera saved 652 games thanks to his elite cutter. He entered 1997 with only five saves while turning 27 in late May, giving Clase a chance to run him down in saves for his career.

Top Cleveland Handcuff – Cade Smith, CLE (ADP – 370.0)

Smith signed with the Guardians in 2022 as an undrafted free agent after an uneventful three seasons at Hawaii (4-4 with a 4.54 ERA, 1.470 WHIP, 113 strikeouts, and one save over 117.0 innings). His arm improved in the minors (3.61 ERA, 1.210 WHIP, and 262 strikeouts over 167.0 innings) while working in a closer (33 saves). His command (4.6 walks per nine) was a liability.

In his first year with Cleveland, the Guardians cleaned up his mechanics, leading to phenomenal growth in his strikeout ability (walk rate – 2.0) and one ball leaving the yard over 75.1 innings. Smith worked off a four-seamer (.173 BAA – 91 strikeouts), split-finger fastball (.167 BAA), and slider (333 BAA).

Fantasy Outlook: For a fantasy manager looking to control ERA and WHIP, Smith is an overlooked asset in the high-stakes fantasy market. He ranked 76th in FPGscore (-1.61) for pitchers with only one save. His ADP already has four rounds of value baked in. He's an excellent handcuff if his command repeats while being a manageable pitcher.

Oakland Athletics Bullpen

2 – Mason Miller, OAK (ADP – 42.3)

Over five seasons in college, Miller went 18-12 with a 3.92 ERA and 306 strikeouts over 239.0 innings. The A’s drafted him in the third round of the 2021 MLB June Amateur Draft. A right shoulder strain in 2022 led to him missing almost the entire season.

Oakland gave him two appearances in the minors (two runs and two hits over 8.2 innings with no walks and 19 strikeouts) in 2023 before calling him up on April 19th. Four starts (3.38 ERA, 0.984 WHIP, .187 BAA, and 22 strikeouts over 21.1 innings) later, he landed on the injured list for three and half months with a right elbow injury. When Miller returned to the majors in September, he pitched out of the bullpen (six runs, 19 baserunners, and 16 strikeouts over 12.0 innings).

In his first year as a reliever, his arm held up well while only missing two weeks in late July and early August due to a self-inflicted left-hand issue. After struggling in his first appearance (two runs, three baserunners, and a home run over one inning), Miller was a difference-maker over his following 20.1 innings (two runs, 13 baserunners, and 41 strikeouts with nine saves). For the remainder of the season, his stats (3.22 ERA, 0.985, and six home runs over 44.2 innings with 63 strikeouts and 19 saves) were good but below his opening success. Miller had six poor outings (13 runs, 24 baserunners, and three home runs over 8.1 innings) over this span.

His average fastball (101.1) was one of the best in baseball. Miller dominated with his four-seamer (.177 BAA and 56 strikeouts) and slider (.126 BAA and 47 strikeouts).

Fantasy Outlook: With all things equal for the top-tier closers, Miller is the best-of-the-best. His resume is short, with an elbow issue still visible in his rearview mirror, and he needs a higher total in saves to rank higher in fantasy leagues. He has a massive edge in strikeouts for a reliever if the A’s pitch him in 70 games. I’ll rank Miller higher once when I finish my bullpen research. Last year, Oakland tied for 27th in saves (35), with 26 reliever wins. He is a player to fight for in drafts.

Top Athletics Handcuff – Jose Leclerc, OAK

Heading into last season, the high-stakes fantasy market expected Leclerc to fight for saves for the Rangers. He had one save over his first five appearances, but batters drilled him for eight runs, six hits, six walks, and one home run over his first five innings with four strikeouts. As a result of his struggles, Tyler Yates seized the closer role in Texas.

Leclerc pitched well in June and July (2.95 ERA, 0.891 WHIP, .169 BAA, and 32 strikeouts over 21.1 innings) as well as September (3.18 ERA with 11 strikeouts over 11.1 innings), but his other months were loaded with down days. Much of his failure came against left-handed batters (.291 with 18 walks over 86 at-bats).

His average fastball (95.6) almost matched 2023. Leclerc has similar usage between his four-seamer (.171 BAA) and slider (.217 BAA) while mixing in a below-par cutter (.278 BAA) and low-volume sinker (.280 BAA). None of his pitches were an advantage vs. lefties. His walk rate has never been lower than 3.9 in his career (4.3 in 2024).

Fantasy Outlook: Over eight seasons with the Rangers, Leclerc has 41 saves with a better ERA (3.27) than WHIP (1.216). He’ll be found in the free-agent pool in all redraft formats. Only two A’s pitchers get drafted inside the first 450 picks in the National Fantasy Baseball Championship in the early draft season, showing the overall weakness in their pitching staff.

New York Mets Bullpen

3 – Edwin Diaz, NYM (ADP – 38.4)

After missing 2023 with a right knee injury (patellar tendon surgery), Diaz had an up-and-down last season. His arm was pace over his 15 appearances (2.30 ERA, 0.766 WHIP, and 23 strikeouts over 15.2 innings) while converting five of his six save tries. Unfortunately, he lost his rhythm over his following five games (eight runs, 13 baserunners, two home runs over 4.1 innings with three blown saves).

The Mets placed him on the injured list for 18 days in late May with a right shoulder issue. Diaz missed another 10 games four weeks later (suspension). Over his final 35 games, he converted 15 of his 18 saves with five wins, 2.41 ERA, 0.921 WHIP, and 54 strikeouts over 33.2 innings.

Diaz had excellent command (three walks and 42 strikeouts over 101 at-bats) against right-handed batters (.158 BAA). His average fastball (97.6) remains elite despite being 1.5 mph lower than in 2022. He continued to feature an electric slider as a high-volume pitch (47.2% usage – .175 BAA), and batters struggled to make contact with his four-seamer (.165 BAA).

Fantasy Outlook: Since his 57-save season in 2018, Diaz hasn’t had over 32 saves in any other year. His strikeouts are the edge over Emmanuel Clase, but he must get more chances at finishing games to be worth his higher price point this draft season. There are many reasons to like him, but not one to move Diaz past some of the other top closers getting drafted later than him. The Mets will be better offensively, creating more wins, so I’ll set his bar at a sub-3.00 ERA and 100+ strikeouts with 35+ saves.

Top Mets Handcuff – A.J. Minter, NYM

The Mets signed Minter in mid-January for two seasons ($22 million). He had hip surgery (labrum issue) last August while also landing on the injured list in late May with the same problem. New York expects him to be ready for opening day.

Minter pitched at an elite level in April (5-2 with a 2.63 ERA, 0.732 WHIP, and 15 strikeouts over 13.2 innings). His hip injury led to weaker command in May (five walks over 7.2 innings). Over his final 25 games, he allowed eight runs, 27 baserunners, and four home runs over 20.2 innings with 20 strikeouts.

His average fastball (94.8) was a career-low. Minter brings a four-seamer (.208 BAA), cutter (.229 BAA), and changeup (.115 BAA) to the table, with each pitching grading as an asset.

Fantasy Outlook: Over his eight years with the Braves, Minter picked up 36 saves while never locking down a full-time closer job. His command has been much better over the past three seasons (2.5 walks per nine), leading to a 2.82 ERA, 1.041 WHIP, and 21 strikeouts over 169.0 innings. He finished with a decline in his strikeout rate (8.9) in 2024, but it was probably injury-related. Minter will be found in the free-agent pool in most fantasy leagues.

New York Yankees Bullpen

4 – Devin Williams, NYY (ADP – 39.9)

Williams developed a back injury (two stress fractures) last March that led to him missing four months. His first appearance came on July 28th. When on the mound, he allowed three runs in two of his 22 appearances, leading to a 1.25 ERA, 0.969 WHIP, and 38 strikeouts over 21.2 innings. Williams converted 14 of his 15 save chances.

He continues to have weakness in his walk rate (4.6 – higher than 4.2 over the past four seasons). His first step in improving his command is throwing more first-pitch strikes (56% – under 60% in each of his last five years). Since 2022, batters hit .145 against Williams with an elite strikeout rate (40.8% – 14.6 per nine).

His average fastball (94.8) was higher than his two previous years but below his peak in 2020 (96.7). Williams flipped his usage between his changeup (45.3% - 57.3% in 2023) and four-seamer (53.3% - 39.9% in 2023) in 2024. Both pitches were challenging to hit (FB – .122 BAA and CU – .200 BAA).

Fantasy Outlook: The Yankees acquired Williams in December for SP Nestor Cortes and 2B Caleb Durbin. He’s in a contract year, which motivates him to stay on the mound all season. His previous back issue must be a factor when deciding to draft Williams in 2025. Since moving into a closer role in 2022, he went 15-7 with a 1.66 ERA, 0.965 WHIP, and 221 strikeouts over 141.0 innings while securing 65 of his 72 closing opportunities. Williams has an excellent bullpen resume with another gear if he figures out how to get ahead in the count more often.

Top Yankees Handcuff – Luke Weaver, NYY (ADP – 354.8)

With the unemployment line staring Weaver in the face in 2023, the Yankees saved his career by unlocking the keys to his arm over three appearances in their bullpen (3.38 ERA and 16 strikeouts over 13.1 innings). Over his first 144 games in the majors, he went 27-42 with a 5.14 ERA, 1.438 WHIP, and 571 strikeouts over 574.1 innings.

Last season, Weaver had three patches of games where he struggled (early April – seven runs, 12 baserunners, and two home runs over 9.1 innings, late May – four runs, six baserunners, and two home runs over 5.1 innings, and midsummer – 10 runs, 17 baserunners, and three home runs over 9.2 innings. Over his other 59.2 innings, he posted a 0.90 ERA, 0.721 WHIP, and 79 strikeouts. Weaver was a fantasy stud over his final 17 games (3-0 with four saves, 0.92 ERA, and 33 strikeouts over 19.2 innings).

His average fastball (95.7) was a career-best due to shorter inning stints. Weaver focused on using three pitches (four-seamer – .167 BAA, changeup – .169 BAA, and cutter – .173 BAA) out of the bullpen. He pitched more up in the strike zone in 2024 (46.7% fly-ball rate – 37.9% in his career).

Fantasy Outlook: Weaver battled home runs (10) last year while transforming into an intriguing bullpen arm. His three-deep arsenal bodes well for another successful year in the Yankees bullpen. I view him as a must-handcuff to Devin Williams and a serviceable arm in deep fantasy formats. He ranked 68th in 2024 in FPGscore (-1.27) for pitchers.

Houston Astros Bullpen

5 – Josh Hader, HOU (ADP – 41.0)

In his first year with the Astros, Houston pitched Hader in many tie games, leading to a career-high in wins (8) and losses (8). Unfortunately, home runs (12 – 1.5 per nine) were his downfall in too many games. He threw more strikes while remaining challenging to hit (.171 BAA). All of his pitches leaving the yard were to right-handed batters.

Hader opened 2024 with poor stats in April (nine runs, 14 baserunners, and one home run over 12.2 innings), followed by disaster in July (six runs, 10 baserunners, and four home over 10.1 innings) and September (eight runs, 10 baserunners, and two home runs over 10.2 innings). Twenty-three of his 30 runs allowed came in games when he gave up a home run. Batters had their highest exit velocity (89.7 mph) and hard-hit rate (38.8) against him since 2019.

His average fastball (96.3) aligned with 2023. Hader threw his sinker (.199 BAA with eight home runs and 68 strikeouts over 181 at-bats) 71.8% of the time while relying heavily on his slider (.127 BAA – 27.2% usage as his second pitch.

Fantasy Outlook: The lack of depth in Hader’s arsenal is a problem when getting behind in the count, leading to righties sitting on his high fastball (52.4% fly-ball rate). Over the past six seasons, his stats have been much better in odd years. I like his increased workload, which creates more strikeouts and chances at wins and saves. Hader is no longer the best-looking closer on the block, but a drafter can expect him to deliver close to 35 saves with some vulture victories and an edge in whiffs.

Top Astros Handcuff – Bryan Abreu, HOU (ADP – 478.5)

Abreu started to throw more strikes with Houston in 2022 and 2023, moving his arm to elite status (7-2 with 1.84 ERA, 1.103 WHIP, 188 strikeouts, and seven saves over 132.1 innings). After the All-Star break in 2023, he didn’t allow a run over 27.2 innings with 34 strikeouts, eight holds, and three saves.

Last season, Abreu struggled in four of his first 16 appearances (eight runs, 27 baserunners, and four home runs over 16.2 innings with 22 strikeouts). His arm responded with 21.2 excellent innings (1.25 ERA, 1.031 WHIP, and 31 strikeouts), but he pitches poorly over his following eight games (five runs, 16 baserunners, and a home run over eight innings with 13 strikeouts). Batters banged Abreu a round again over the latter two-thirds of August (9.00 ERA, 1.444 WHIP, and .275 BAA over nine innings with 11 strikeouts). His season ended with an uptick in September (two runs, five hits, and a walk over 11.2 innings with 12 strikeouts).

His average fastball (96.9) was down slightly from his two previous seasons. Abreu has an electric slider (.163 BAA and 70 strikeouts over 166 at-bats), which he threw as his top pitch (53.0% usage). His four-seamer (.250) was a weaker pitch, especially to left-handed batters (.323 BAA).

Fantasy Outlook: After showing growth in 2023, Abreu lost his way last year vs. left-handed batters while still getting behind early in the count based on his first-pitch strike rate (56). His one elite swing-and-miss pitch is his ticket to the ninth inning, but that role can’t happen until he improves his lefty splits. If I roster Josh Hader in 15-team formats, I will buy and hold Abreu for insurance.