Whether your Rotisserie league has a category for saves or your points league has roster spots specifically for relief pitchers, being able to find unlikely sources for saves can give you a leg up in your fantasy baseball leagues. To get a “locked-in” closer, a fantasy baseball manager will likely need to spend an early draft pick to acquire the player. In this article, we will look at some relievers who could eventually step into a ninth-inning role.
Complete mock drafts in minutes with our free draft simulator 
Emilio Pagan (SD)
Of course, if we are going to target relievers who may not immediately receive save opportunities, it’s best to look at teams that should at least have save situations fairly often. After a stellar offseason, the San Diego Padres have the third-highest projected win total in the MLB. Over on BettingPros, the Padres have a consensus win total of 94.5 games.
This would not be Pagan’s first season handling a closer role. He recorded 20 saves for Tampa Bay in 2019 while sporting a 2.31 ERA and a 12.3 K/9 innings. Recently, one of my favorite beat writers for the Padres said this about Pagan’s ability to be the closer for San Diego this season. With an overall ADP outside the top 400, Pagan is more than worth a late pick in case he earns save opportunities for one of the best teams in the majors.
Chris Martin (ATL)
The Braves are another team that is projected for a high win total in 2021. BettingPros currently has their consensus win total at 91.5 games, which means that they will likely have many save opportunities.
The southpaw Will Smith is currently slated to be the closer for Atlanta, but it does not appear that he has a stranglehold on the role. Smith did not record a save in 2020 for the Braves, and he only sported a 4.50 ERA in 18 games that year. Additionally, Atlanta may opt to use Smith in matchups against left-handed hitters rather than just handing him the ball in the ninth inning each game.
Chris Martin appears to be next in line, and he could receive save opportunities sooner than expected. The righty had a tremendous 2020 season with a 1.00 ERA and a 20:3 K:BB ratio over his 19 games. He did record one save, and the veteran could be trusted with more opportunities in 2021. Martin is currently being drafted outside of the Top 300 overall according to our FantasyPros ADP, and he will provide value on that ADP if he receives consistent save opportunities for a good Atlanta ball club.
Check out all of our fantasy baseball draft prep content
Diego Castillo (TB)
Following a disappointing World Series loss, the Rays are projected to be a solid ball club once again in 2021 with a win total of 85.5 games. It is well-known that the Rays handle their pitching staff and bullpen in unconventional ways, which could be all the more reason to target a player not yet projected to handle the majority of save opportunities.
Castillo has been part of the ninth inning rotation in the past, and he should receive save opportunities in 2021 once again. The young right-hander had a fantastic 2020 season with a 1.66 ERA to go along with four saves and a 3-0 record. As someone who should be worked into save situations for an above-average team, Castillo seems like a value at his ADP. He is currently being selected outside the Top 40 for relievers and at 279 overall.
Get expert advice during your draft with our fantasy baseball draft software
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | SoundCloud | iHeartRadio
Beyond our fantasy baseball content, be sure to check out our award-winning slate of Fantasy Baseball Tools as you navigate your season. From our Trade Analyzer – which allows you to instantly find out if a trade offer benefits you or your opponent – to our Waiver Wire Assistant – which allows you to quickly see which available players will improve your team, and by how much – we’ve got you covered this fantasy baseball season.
Shane Bryant is a featured writer for FantasyPros. For more from Shane, check out his archive and follow him on Twitter @ShaneBryant31.
