2019 Fantasy Baseball ROS Rankings

Chapman's average fastball velocity has plummeted all way down to 98.3 mph. He still has 77 strikeouts in 51.2 innings, but he forfeited early walk gains by issuing 11 free passes during a messy July in which he allowed nine runs in 8.2 innings. Don't panic; he has bounced back with 18 strikeouts and three walks in 10 scoreless innings in August. He's still one of the top closers around.

After replacing Brad Hand as San Diego's closer late last year, Yates is ascending into a top-tier fantasy reliever. He has converted 38 of 41 save opportunities while allowing just eight earned runs in 54 frames with a 35.8 K-BB%. After staying put through the deadline, he's the No. 1 closer with ample job security.

Although no longer the premier closer in town, Jansen is still a top-tier option. A 3.73 ERA would top last year's 3.01 as a new career-high, but he has also recorded 68 strikeouts and 12 walks in 50.2 innings with a .218 opposing batting average. Health is his primary concern after undergoing heart surgery over the offseason.

Hand has suffered through a bit of a second half swoon, but he's fully capable of getting back on track down the stretch.

After serving a suspension for a domestic violence charge, Osuna got traded to the Astros and was closing within a month. His K/9 has improved from last year's middling 7.58 to 9.56, and he misses enough bats to keep fanning over a batter per frame. He has yielded just 38 hits, 10 walks, and 18 earned runs over 53.2 spectacular innings to secure Houston's closing gig. Those comfortable rostering Osuna will get elite ratios and perhaps more strikeouts, which will fortify his positioning as one of the game's finest fantasy options.

Hader is the best reliever in the game when he's on his game, but that has decidedly not been the case of late. Still, he could turn it around at any moment and will hold onto plenty of fantasy value as long as he's got the closer gig in Milwaukee.

Kimbrel hasn't been great since joining the Cubs at midseason, but he's been too good for too long to be concerned at this point. He should still be viewed as a top-10 closer down the stretch.

Diaz's velocity and strikeout rate are just fine, but there's simply no sugarcoating how bad he's been this season.

Sean Doolittle was a borderline top-10 closer to begin the season, but injuries and inconsistency have taken a toll on his rest-of-season outlook.

Smith is one of the most underrated fantasy closers in the league, and the fact he stayed put at the trade deadline ensures he'll remain a top closer the rest of the way.

Giles has had a major career resurgence north of the border and looks to be a top-15 fantasy closer going forward.

Iglesias has had a rocky season, as hasn't even been used as the Reds' exclusive closer. But he's really turned it on in the second half, which shouldn't be surprising given his excellent track record.

Colome is having a very strong season as the White Sox closer, and the fact he wasn't traded was a big boon to his fantasy owners.

Early in the season, it appeared Gabe Kapler was going to play the ninth inning by ear. While Neris didn't receive many opportunities early in the season, that was has only because the Phillies kept either winning big or losing. Clearly the undisputed closer, he has recorded 21 saves. While his ERA ballooned to 4.08 in July, it has dropped back to 3.44 alongside an elite 17.8% swinging-strike rate. He's still a tremendous source of strikeouts who has eliminated any possible closer controversy by tossing nine straight scoreless innings.

It's been a rocky path back to the ninth inning for LeClerc, but there's no doubt he's capable of being a dominant closer when he doesn't get himself into trouble with walks.

Hendriks has been the most valuable relief pitcher in standard 5

The prototypical "saves are saves" closer entering 2019, Greene improbably picked up 22 saves through June with a 0.87 ERA. His luck evened out as July, as the lowly Tigers did not afford him a single save opportunity. Yet he still boasted a 1.18 ERA before getting traded to the Braves, where he looked poised to continue closing. That was before regression finally struck. Greene has allowed seven runs in 7.1 innings with his new team, leading Atlanta to insert Mark Melancon into the ninth. Melancon hasn't excelled for the Braves either, so Greene could regain his role sometime in September. It's still sensible to drop him in standard mixed leagues.

One of the few closers with apparent job security may pitch himself out of the ninth inning. Since returning from an oblique strain June 7, Davis has relinquished 15 runs in 15.2 innings. He has a 9.53 ERA at Coors Field, so the 33-year-old is doing more harm than good for fantasy managers. A big contract may compel Colorado to keep Davis in high-leverage spots, but don't be surprised if Scott Oberg takes his job.

Expected to serve the light side of a committee when lefties emerged in the ninth, Rogers leads the Twins with 17. Perhaps a 2.10 ERA and 26.9 K-BB% have earned him a fuller closer share. The Twins added Sergio Romo and Sam Dyson, but Dyson went on the IL after fumbling his first save chance. Rogers now looks like a worthy top-20 reliever.

Maeda has maintained a 9.52 K/9 while limiting hard contact, but managers haven't been able to trust him during an erratic campaign. The Dodgers put him in the bullpen near the All-Star break despite turning the corner, and he returned to the rotation to allow 14 runs in three truncated starts. He could at least pitch to his career 3.92 ERA when given the chance, but he's only 10 innings away from matching last year's tally. He's a top-50 starter when given the chance.

Robles is now the Angels' undisputed closer. Gamers can't ignore someone compiling saves with a 2.86 ERA and 23.4% K rate. Just beware that his fly-ball woes could eventually lead to catastrophe. His 6.6% HR/FB rate is well below his 11.1% career norm, and that's especially improbable to last in a season where everyone is homering at historic rates. He should be rostered in all leagues, but don't be shocked if he's hit hard in a couple of blow-up outings during the second half.

Having recorded just eight saves through four months, Givens hasn't helped much as the leading closer in Baltimore's committee. Even those scarce opportunities will vanish if the Orioles trade him. A handful of saves and strikeouts aren't worth the ERA (4.28) hit beyond deep leagues.

Bradley looked like the overwhelming favorite to close in the desert, but then the Diamondbacks signed Greg Holland in January. With Holland now out of the picture, Bradley is finally getting his shot and should be a serviceable closer down the stretch.

The Braves acquired All-Star closer Shane Greene on July 31, but another acquisition is instead handling the final frame. Melancon, once an elite stopper during his glory years with the Giants, has assumed the role despite allowing six runs in 7.2 innings with his new team. The 34-year-old is no longer an elite, or even above-average source of ERA and WHIP, and he never piled up the strikeouts as much as other dominant relievers. Yet he remains among baseball's best at inducing ground balls, which could help him hold onto the role through September. He should be rostered in all leagues.

Martinez has become St. Louis' closer with Jordan Hicks (torn ACL) out for the season. The former ace has collected 13 saves with a 3.41 ERA and recovered from a rough patch right after the All-Star break. While he hasn't realize the strikeout upside some would have expected from the bullpen move, he's a potential top-20 closer with plenty of upside.

Despite reports of Nathan Eovaldi returning from the IL to seize the ninth inning, Workman appears to remain Boston's front-runner for saves. A 1.95 ERA and 34% K rate has made him a tremendous option with just six saves, but a 15.8% walk rate and .190 BABIP should pump the breaks on too much excitement. He's nevertheless worth rostering in mixed leagues.

Pagan may never take control of Tampa Bay's closer committee, but he's still worth rostering in most mixed leagues. He wields a 1.95 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, and 72 strikeouts in 50.2 innings. Even a handful of saves - he currently has 13 -- makes him a viable asset in all mixed leagues.

While Miller could work his way into the closer mix with Jordan Hicks out, he hasn't looked his old self this season. The lefty has 52 strikeouts in 36.1 innings, but it's come with a 3.47 ERA and 5.04 FIP. Allowing a bunch of walks and home runs is a dangerous combo for anyone. However, he could keep vulturing a couple of saves from Carlos Martinez.

The Marlins traded Romo to the Twins, which likely removes him from the ninth inning. At best, he'll share save chances with the superior southpaw Taylor Rogers if the Twins don't acquire another reliever. He was mostly an empty source of saves given the drop in strikeouts (33 in 37.2 IP), so managers can drop Romo if he doesn't close early into his Twins tenure.

Detroit traded Shane Greene to the Braves, so has gotten a chance to sink or swim as the closer for two months. He has recorded 69 strikeouts and a 14.5% swinging-strike rate in 49.2 innings, but it doesn't show in his 4.89 ERA and 4.82 FIP. After piling up saves early in the season, Greene went all of July without one for the MLB-worst Tigers. Temper expectations, but take a shot on Jimenez in streaking for saves and strikeouts.

The Royals as a team collected six saves through May, so most fantasy managers wrote off the situation entirely. Kennedy, however, has emerged as the undisputed closer by racking up 17 saves since the start of June. He also wields 56 strikeouts and 11 walks in 47.1 innings, leading to a 2.17 FIP underneath his 3.04 ERA. He should be rostered in all leagues.

Lost in the shuffle of Atlanta's plethora of young pitchers, injuries opened a door for Fried to join the rotation. He has answered the call to action with a 3.99 ERA in 116.1 innings. While the 1.38 WHIP is high, he is starting to miss more bats with three secondary pitches each netting swinging-strike rates of 11.5% or higher. A 3.77 FIP and 3.53 xFIP suggest recent regression swung too far in the other direction, and he has settled down into an effective fantasy starter after returning from a blister injury in late July.

Given a clear path to saves with Brandon Morrow on the shelf, Strop went on the IL with a hamstring injury. Bothered by the issue, he had posted a 5.06 ERA following a three-run flare-up against the Marlins. He immediately recorded a save upon returning on June 4, but the Cubs signed Craig Kimbrel the next day. Strop could see some save chances in the next week or two before the free-agent signing is ready.

Barnes is no longer the closer with Eovaldi back off the IL, and his ratios won't be ideal, but fantasy owners can bet on another 50+ second half Ks while rostering him as a fallback saves option should Eovaldi hit the IL again.

As expected, Ottavino has been sensational outside of Coors Field. Even with Yankee Stadium being a hitter's haven, Ottavino carries a sub-two ERA with 61 Ks in 43 innings. Don't expect saves in this crowded pen though.

With Arodys Vizcaino out for the season and A.J. Minter briefly optioned to Triple-A, Jackson became the clear closer in Atlanta. That was before the Braves acquired Mark Melancon, Chris Martin, and Shane Greene before the deadline. Greene will take over closing duties, and Jackson isn't necessarily the next-man up if the former Tiger falters. There's no reason to keep him in standard leagues.

The Twins have designated Parker for assignment. A closer early in the season, his ERA ballooned to 4.21 with a 5.34 FIP. Drop him in all leagues.

Buttrey looked like the top candidate for saves when the Angels officially stripped Cody Allen of his closing duties, but Hansel Robles has assumed the closer's role. While Buttrey is still worth rostering in some leagues for his 2.08 ERA and 27.2%, investors should expect more than a save here and there unless Robles implodes.

Arguably MLB's best middle reliever for most of 2019, Pressly struggled after returning from a knee surgery. He'll miss another four-to-six weeks after undergoing arthroscopic right knee surgery on August 22, meaning he'll at best return during the regular season's final week. There's no reason to keep him rostered.

Not only is Aroldis Chapman ahead of Britton in New York, but they also have Betances and Chad Green roaming around the pen. Chances are that Britton would get the first crack at saves if Aroldis went down, but it's no guarantee.

Despite posting a 4.66 ERA last season and struggling to reach 90 mph in spring, Holland opened 2019 as Arizona's closer. Keeping the job and recording 30 saves with an ugly ERA like Brad Boxberger last season seemed like the best-case scenario. That was, however, until he opened 2019 by allowing two hits and no runs over 11 spectacular innings with 15 strikeouts and six saves. He has since fallen on hard times, watching his ERA rise to 3.51 with 21 walks in 33.1 innings. The Diamondbacks are potentially removing the struggling closer from his ninth-inning duties. He can be dropped in shallower mixed leagues, but don't be shocked if he reclaims the role.

Jeffress, who started the season sidelined with a shoulder injury, was expected to see some save chances so Josh Hader could slide him back into a more flexible high-leverage role. He has none in 16 outings. His velocity and swinging-strike rate have also dropped, so he's not worth rostering in shallow mixed leagues that don't reward holds.

Off to a strong start, Castillo ceded four walks, four hits, and six runs in two outings before going on the IL with right shoulder inflammation. Don't dismiss the 25-year-old righty because of a 3.93 ERA; it was 2.48 prior to those two blow-up outings. He's set to return right after the All-Star break and should factor prominently into Tampa Bay's maddening closer committee with Jose Alvarado sidelined.

While not as terrific as last year, Stripling hasn't disappointed by any measure other than the fact that the Dodgers' insane rotational depth hasn't allowed for enough innings. While he starts, however, Stripling is well worth owning.

Chirinos piggybacked off the opener early in the season before settling into Tampa Bay's rotation. He posted a 3.62 ERA and 1.06 WHIP at the All-Star break before going down with middle finger inflammation. He's expected to miss at least a month, so there's no reason to stash him in re-draft leagues in hopes of a September return.

Perceived as a seat-filler until Jose Leclerc reclaimed his job, Kelley has compiled 11 saves with a 3.00 ERA, 32 strikeouts, and five walks in 33 innings. He's far too prone to the long ball for a closer pitching in Arlington, so expect his ERA to rise. Just as he built up a little bit of a leash in the final frame, the 35-year-old went on the IL with sore biceps. He hopes to avoid a lengthy absence, but this gives Leclerc a chance to run away with the ninth-inning role.

Elias has etched out a 4.50 ERA, 45 strikeouts, and 13 saves in 46 innings as Seattle's closer before getting shipped to Washington. That eliminates his fantasy appeal in just about every format.

May did not win the closer job in Minnesota. While he may get a few saves here and there, Rocco Baldelli is employing a true closer by committee approach. May can be used as a Josh Hader-lite, but otherwise is droppable.

Looking like a lost cause in Pittsburgh, Glasnow was taking a seismic leap into ace territory with the Rays. He went 6-1 with a 1.86 ERA, 55 Ks, and nine BBs in eight starts before suffering a forearm strain that was supposed to sideline him four-to-six weeks. The Rays transferred him to the 60-day IL, and he has suffered a setback in late June weeks before his potential return. He's now likely to at best return as a reliever or opener in September, meaning he's droppable in all redraft leagues.

Despite recording a 5.81 ERA through his first five starts, Woodruff has a 3.75 ERA on the season. He sports a 3.10 FIP and 28.3% K rate for the contending Brewers with one of baseball's bests four-seam fastball and sinker. Anyone who added him after his April showers deserves props. Unfortunately, an oblique injury is expected to take him out until mid-September. That makes him droppable in re-draft leagues for managers who can't tuck him away in an IL spot.

A Grade 2 lat strain cost Strickland the closer job in Seattle, and he hasn't been able to regain it there or in his new home of Washington.

Herrera was presumably signed to close for the White Sox, but they also added Alex Colome who has closing experience. This one is too close to call for now so you may want to add both in a late round just to make sure you get some saves.

One of MLB's best starters didn't even start for most of the season. Spending much of 2019 following the opener in Tampa Bay, Yarbrough has transitioned into a more traditional role that has suited him well. The righty has posted a magnificent 1.57 ERA, 46 strikeouts, and two walks after the All-Star break. Since joining the starting staff, he has allowed one earned role in three turns with 23 strikeouts and no free passes. Continue to ride his sizzling hot hand in September.

Brasier leads the Red Sox with seven saves, but he has recorded just one since April 22. His 3.34 ERA and 1.11 WHIP are nothing special for a reliever stuck in an unpredictable committee, and a 4.45 FIP points to a lower ceiling. This situation is too frustrating to comfortably roster anyone in leagues that don't count holds.

Lorenzen has picked up Cincinnati's last two saves over Raisel Iglesias. While he hadn't followed through much on the preseason chatter, David Bell expressed interest in using Iglesias in a high-leverage role. Bell has denied a change in closers, but it's worth grabbing Lorenzen just in case he is at least now part of a committee.

Green wasn't as electric in 2018 as the year before, but he still registered 94 strikeouts with excellent ratios and 8 wins. He isn't the closer, nor does he have a path to saves, but you can certainly make a case for drafting him even in standard sized leagues.

Lugo has worked 10 perfect innings during the Mets' second-half hot streak. Sporting a 2.59 ERA and 0.93 WHIP, he's the clear next in line if faltering closer Edwin Diaz pitches his way out of the role. Grab Lugo just in case, as he can help in strikeouts and ratios while garnering SP eligibility.

The Angels have removed Allen from the closer's role after relinquishing seven walks and five runs in 8.1 innings. His gopheritis has carried over from 2018, allowing three homers in 10 outings. There's no reason to roster him unless the save opportunities return.

Jordan Hicks is out for the season (and perhaps part of 2020) with a torn UCL. That opened up save opportunities in St. Louis, but Carlos Martinez has emerged as the closer over Gant. The 26-year-old righty has recorded a 2.61 ERA and 1.01 ERA in the bullpen, so he could potentially see save opportunities if Martinez falters.

Since allowing seven runs to the forceful Twins on May 2, Peacock posted a 2.01 ERA in seven starts. He then ceded 16 runs in the last four outings before going on the IL with shoulder discomfort. Regression from his dominant May seemed likely, as a subpar 8.8% swinging-strike rate doesn't support his 89 punchouts in 85 innings. Also, apparently no pitcher is immune to gopheritis in 2019. He may not return to the rotation after the Astros acquire Zack Greinke and Aaron Sanchez, who tossed six no-hit innings in his team debut.

 

 

Dominguez is considering Tommy John surgery after going on the IL with an injured ulnar collateral ligament. After ascending to Philadelphia's closer role in a tremendous rookie campaign, he posted an underwhelming 4.01 ERA with no saves in 24.1 innings. Even managers in holds leagues can comfortable drop him.

The Mets added the best closer in baseball this off-season so Familia takes a step back, but if anything happens to Diaz, Familia is the clear closer-in-waiting and would be top 20 at the position right away.

 

Strahm has shown enough promise that we can keep an eye on him in the second half, but more likely than not, he will only be an occasional streamer in home games against easy opponents.

 

 

Magill has taken over Seattle's closer role. While the 29-year-old won't help much in ERA and WHIP, he has 53 strikeouts and a 13.9% swinging-strike rate through 41 innings. Pick him up if searching for cheap saves.

Vasquez is the closer in Pittsburgh for now, but Kela has immense upside if he slips up or is injured so be sure to keep him on waiver wire speed dial.

 

Beeks isn't technically a starting pitcher, but he is racking up the innings and has plenty of Ks to go along with it. More importantly, his ratios are stellar and he'll pick up some wins to go with it all.

 

Boxberger is expected to hold off Peralta for the Royals' closer job, and while it may not be the most envied role, he should still be able to compile 20 to 25 saves if he can hang onto the job. His ratios won't be ideal, but he does offer some K-upside as we've seen before.

Bass could be in lives for saves after Seattle sent Roenis Elias and Hunter Strickland to Washington. He has gone eight innings without allowing a run or hit. This is still, however, a 31-year-old with a career 4.40 ERA and 16.2% K rate. Only add him if needing saves in a deep league.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After spending the last few years as a subpar reliever, Lyles posted a 3.64 ERA and 24.9% K rate in 12 starts before going on the IL with a hamstring injury. He imploded when returning in June and July, but the 28-year-old has rebounded with a 2.67 in five starts since joining the Brewers. He's once again an intriguing add, albeit one with concerning downside.

 

 

 

 

 

It seems as though Pedro Strop will be the closer to open the season and eventually Brandon Morrow will get the job back. There is a chance Edwards slips in as the closer, however, but he has plenty of upside regardless of saves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It seems as though the Cardinals have made up their mind about keeping Ponce de Leon in the rotation. He won't strike out many hitters, but perhaps he can win a few games while not hurting your ratios. Don't sleep on him being dealt for a pitcher like Stroman, however.