Kirby Yates

Yates emerged as one of the best fantasy closers out there last year, and he's picked up right where he left off in 2019.

After replacing Brad Hand as San Diego's closer late last year, Yates is ascending into a top-tier fantasy reliever. He has converted 27 of 28 save opportunities while allowing just five runs in 35.1 frames with a 34.8 K-BB%. Now that the Padres have a formidable roster, he's no longer a risk to suffer Hand's fate via a midseason trade. That makes Yates a top-five stopper with strong job security.

The Padres aren't expected to compete with the Dodgers or even Rockies for the division, but San Diego plays in enough low scoring close games that their closers tend to rack up the saves. This year should be no different for their new closer, who just so happened to be one of the best setup men in baseball before Brad Hand left the closer job open. Yates should find his way to 80+ Ks to go with amazing ratios once again.