Fantasy Baseball Saves Plus Holds Rankings & Advice: Week 17 (2026)

Each week during the fantasy baseball season, I take a look at the relief pitcher landscape to aid in waiver wire and trade decisions. Let’s see what’s changed since the All-Star break.

Fantasy Baseball Saves + Holds League Advice: Week 17

Saves + Holds Leaders

There are 13 pitchers with 21+ saves plus holds:

Player	Team	SV+H
Cade Smith	CLE	29
Bryan Baker	TBR	27
Riley O’Brien	STL	26
Mason Miller	SDP	25
Louis Varland	TOR	25
Jhoan Duran	PHI	24
Kevin Kelly	TBR	23
Paul Sewald	ARI	23
Trevor Megill	MIL	22
Aroldis Chapman	BOS	22
Tyler Rogers	TOR	22
Jacob Latz	TEX	21
Tanner Scott	LAD	21

Takeaways

Mason Miller hasn’t had a save opportunity since the All-Star break, but he does have six strikeouts in two innings. Miller allowed three hits and two walks in those innings, but no runs crossed the plate. He’s on a historic strikeout pace.
Louis Varland has the sixth-highest strikeout rate among qualified relievers. His slider was his best pitch last season, and he’s leaned into it even more this season. It has the eighth-best whiff rate among all individual pitches this year.
The Boston Red Sox are on an insane 15-game win streak during which Aroldis Chapman has picked up five saves. He’s been unbelievable again this season, pitching to a 1.99 ERA and 1.23 WHIP with an 11.4 K/9.

Saves + Holds Reliever Rankings

Here are my top 40 relievers for save-plus-holds leagues:

Rank	Player	Team	Change
1	Mason Miller	SDP	–
2	Cade Smith	CLE	–
3	Jhoan Duran	PHI	–
4	Bryan Baker	TBR	–
5	Josh Hader	HOU	–
6	Aroldis Chapman	BOS	+2
7	Raisel Iglesias	ATL	–
8	Riley O’Brien	STL	-1
9	Louis Varland	TOR	–
10	Andres Munoz	SEA	–
11	Trevor Megill	MIL	–
12	Tanner Scott	LAD	+1
13	Kevin Kelly	TBR	+1
14	Jacob Latz	TEX	+1
15	Abner Uribe	MIL	+1
16	David Bednar	NYY	+4
17	Dylan Lee	ATL	+2
18	Tyler Rogers	TOR	–
19	Paul Sewald	ARI	-7
20	Eduard Bazardo	SEA	+1
21	Hunter Gaddis	CLE	+1
22	Kenley Jansen	DET	+2
23	Luke Weaver	NYM	+2
24	Tyler Wells	BAL	+4
25	Adrian Morejon	SDP	+1
26	Daniel Lynch IV	KCR	+5
27	Alex Vesia	LAD	–
28	Andrew Morris	MIN	+4
29	Garrett Whitlock	BOS	UN
30	Fernando Cruz	NYY	-1
31	Jakob Junis	TEX	IL
32	Garrett Cleavinger	TBR	+1
33	Hogan Harris	ATH	+1
34	Jeff Hoffman	TOR	UN
35	Will Klein	LAD	–
36	Grant Taylor	CWS	UN
37	Emilio Pagan	CIN	–
38	Devin Williams	NYM	–
39	Yoendrys Gomez	MIN	–
40	Jacob Webb	CHC	UN

Biggest Risers

David Bednar (RP – NYY) | Previous: 20; Current: 16

David Bednar‘s scoreless streak has reached 20.2 innings, dating back to May 22nd. During that stretch, he has a 0.53 WHIP, 30% strikeout rate and 5.5% walk rate.

Bednar only has seven saves in the last two months, but he’s picked up three wins and only allowed seven hits.

Daniel Lynch IV (RP – KCR) | Previous: 31; Current: 26

This isn’t so much about Daniel Lynch IV as it is about the Royals really having poor options. He’s having a great season: 2.18 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 12 saves plus holds.

However, he’s one of only two southpaws in their bullpen, and they’ve refused to give him a shot. Alex Lange continues to have issues. Lucas Erceg has been even worse. Matt Strahm has made Lynch indispensable as the only competent lefty.

Biggest Fallers

Paul Sewald (RP – ARI) | Previous: 12; Current: 19

Paul Sewald struggled at the end of June and has continued to allow runs after the All-Star break.

In 11 appearances since June 15th, Sewald has allowed 11 runs on 15 hits and two walks while striking out 13 batters in 10 innings. He raised his ERA from 3.08 through his first 26.1 innings to 4.95 on the season.

JoJo Romero (RP – STL) | Previous: 17; Current: IL

JoJo Romero landed on the injured list (IL) with appendicitis. He has been an excellent source of saves plus holds over the last two seasons, but will be out for at least 15 days.

In Romero’s stead, the Cardinals will turn to George Soriano (17 saves plus holds) and Ryne Stanek (18 saves plus holds).