2019 Fantasy Baseball ROS Rankings

Hader is the best reliever in the game and it has become clear that he now has ninth inning duties all to himself in Milwaukee.

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.

Aroldis Chapman has been his typical dominant self again this year and has earned plenty of job security despite a host of other strong relievers in the Bronx.

For the second year in a row, Jansen has had some issues with the long ball, but he's still an obvious top-10 closer.

Hand has been even better in Cleveland than he was in San Diego. He has forced his way into the top-five closer conversation.

Osuna isn't quite as dominant as some of the other top closers, but he gets the job done with regularity and is in a great spot to pile up saves with helpful ratios.

Vazquez is well on his way to a third-straight year as a dominant ninth inning man in Pittsburgh.

Kimbrel has had a couple rough outings 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 for the second half.

Diaz's velocity and strikeout rate are just fine, and with a ridiculously high BABIP allowed you could make the case that he's a great buy-low candidate. But there's simply no sugarcoating how bad he's been this season. He still has the upside to be the number one closer over the rest of the season, but it's hard to even consider him a top-10 reliever until we see him right the ship.

Sean Doolittle was a borderline top-10 closer to begin the season, and he's back in that range now that he's recovered from the rough stretch he endured in late May.

Smith is one of the most underrated fantasy closers in the league. The only question is whether he ends up getting dealt into a set-up role elsewhere by the end of July.

Giles has had a major career resurgence north of the border and looks to be a top-15 fantasy closer going forward. It will be worth watching to see if he is moved at the trade deadline, however.

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 12 of his 17 saves since May 15. However, his ERA has ballooned to 4.08 by allowing nine runs in his last nine outings. He's still an elite source of strikeouts, but a prolonged slump could put his status as Philadelphia's undisputed closer in jeopardy.

Greene is having easily the best season of his career, and he's fully capable of remaining an above-average fantasy closer as long as he isn't traded to a team that uses him in a set-up capacity.

Iglesias has had a rocky season, as hasn't even been used as the Reds' exclusive closer. But his track record and recent form give renewed hope that he can have a strong second half, whether it's in Cincinnati or elsewhere.

Colome has sealed 20 of 21 save opportunities with a 2.39 ERA as the White Sox's closer. While there's no job controversy, he's pitching above his 3.93 FIP and 4.39 SIERA. He's a useful option for now, but it's possible he gets traded into another team's setup role before the trade deadline. Fantasy managers with saves to spare should try to cash out now.

Holland has been playing with fire all year with a walk rate over 5.00, and that and his propensity to surrender home runs have come back to haunt him lately. He's suddenly on shaky ground in terms of job security.

Hendriks will serve as Oakland's closer while Blake Treinen is out with a strained rotator cuff. He currently boasts a 1.49 ERA with 50 strikeouts in 42.1 innings, so grab him now if needing saves. It wouldn't be surprising if Treinen requires a bit of an extended absence.

Robles is now the Angels' undisputed closer. Gamers can't ignore someone compiling saves with a 2.74 ERA ERA and 24.9% K rate. Just beware his fly-ball woes could eventually lead to catastrophe. His 6.0% HR/FB rate is well below his 11.5% 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.

With Arodys Vizcaino out for the season and A.J. Minter briefly optioned to Triple-A, Jackson became the clear closer in Atlanta. He has handled the role well so far, notching 14 saves with a 2.66 ERA and 59 strikeouts in 44 innings. The 27-year-old no longer needs to worry about the Braves bringing back Craig Kimbrel, so Jackson needs to be owned everywhere. He could become a top-15 option by tempering the long balls. Just keep an eye on the recently recalled Minter and/or a deadline deal.

With a walk rate well over 5.00, Davis has predictably begun to unravel in hitter-friendly Coors Field. It's no certainty he'll hold onto the closer job much longer, and he'll likely hurt your ratios quite a bit even if he does.

Expected to serve the light side of a committee when lefties emerged in the ninth, Rogers leads the Twins with 12 saves at the All-Star break. He picked up two in the last week before the intermission, so perhaps a 1.82 ERA and 27.4 K-BB% have earned him a fuller closer share. The southpaw is worth rostering in all mixed leagues, but expect Minnesota to pursue high-impact relievers such as Ken Giles near the trade deadline.

Treinen has already allowed as many walks (21) and more than double the earned runs (16) than in all of his breakout 2018 (seven). His K% also dropped from an elite 31.8% to 23.1% before going on the IL with a strained rotator cuff. Although he quickly returned, he surrendered two walks and a game-deciding run in his first game back. In a quick about-face, Oakland is letting the red-hot Liam Hendriks keep the closer's job. Hold Treinen for now.

Seattle's closer, for now, Elias has etched out a 3.55 ERA, 38 strikeouts, and 10 saves in 38 innings. While managers must walk with Elias (16 BBs) far too often, he enjoyed a streak of eight consecutive hitless innings in June. He's worth adding for cheap saves while Hunter Strickland remains sidelined with a lat injury.

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. Yet he might have built up a little bit of a leash in the final frame. Ride the 35-year-old for now.

 

After posting a 5.57 ERA and 10.72 K/9 last season, German's dominant strikeout rate (10.89) came with the ERA to match (2.37) this April. It has since risen to 3.86 after allowing 14 runs in his last three start. The Yankees placed him on the IL with left hip flexor strain. He's expected to return July 3rd against the Mets. While the regression writing was on the wall, the short absence could help him return healthy and avoid getting shut down due to an innings limit later in the season.

Martinez could become St. Louis' closer with Jordan Hicks (torn ACL) out for the season. The former ace wasn't generating much fantasy value as a middle reliever, but that could change. If anything, he's now better off staying in the bullpen than returning to the rotation, a notion the team recently shut down. He could make a top-20 closer with a high strikeout ceiling if given the chance, so add him now.

Having recorded just four saves through two months, Givens was never technically fully in as Baltimore's closer. Either way, he's now out of save situations after getting gashed to a 5.56 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in 22.2 innings. Those truly desperate for saves no longer need to hold onto him, or any Orioles reliever for that matter.

Despite recording a 5.81 ERA through his first five starts, Woodruff has a 3.53 ERA on the season. He sports a 2.98 FIP and 28.7% 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. Although still a bit too volatile for comfort - he has a 4.78 ERA in June - Woodruff is an impact arm who could reach his ace ceiling down the stretch.

Chirinos piggybacked off the opener early in the season before settling into Tampa Bay's rotation. He has posted a 3.15 ERA and 0.99 WHIP at the All-Star break, but a 4.28 FIP with 81 strikeouts in 100 innings aren't as bullish over his second-half outcome. Primarily a three-pitch hurler, he has generated tremendous success from his slider and splitter along with a passable sinker. Although likely to regress and brandishing limited strikeout with a sinker serving as his primary pitch, Chirinos is a solid depth piece for a mixed-league rotation.

Leclerc, who went all of August and September without yielding a run last year, already allowed as many in April (10) as all of 2018. Saddled with a 1.50 WHIP, barely lower than last year's 1.56 ERA, the Rangers removed him from the ninth-inning role. That demotion didn't look like it would last long once he rediscovered his past dominance with a 2.13 ERA and 50.0% K rate in May. A shakier June, however, has delayed his path back to the ninth inning. He's still likely to take the job back from Shawn Kelley sometime this season, but the reset may no longer be imminent.

Pressly may not be Houston's closer, but he's still an elite middle reliever worth rostering for strikeouts and ratios. He posted a 1.36 ERA and 0.78 WHIP through the first half while stockpiling 47 strikeouts to just six walks. The 30-year-old wields three superb pitches (fastball, slider, and curveball) that generate helpings of whiffs and ground balls. He could be this year's version of Adam Ottavino, only better.

Barnes isn't receiving save opportunities in Boston, and he has allowed 11 runs and nine walks during a disastrous June. An elite 40.9% strikeout rate has made him worth rostering even without closing, but it's awfully tough to hang on to a struggling setup man in standard mixed leagues.

With Jose Alvarado on personal leave and Diego Castillo out with a shoulder injury, Pagan is the last man standing in Tampa Bay's closer committee. That doesn't necessarily mean he'll receive all of the save opportunities, but the chance makes him someone to add. He also wields a 1.23 ERA, 0.82 WHIP, and 36 saves in 29.1 innings. Even a handful of saves would make him a viable asset in all mixed leagues.

Despite posting a 3.07 ERA in five starts, Stripling moved to the bullpen with Rich Hill rejoining the Dodgers' rotation. This known risk deflated the cost of a potential top-25 starter, and he never stood much of a chance at working more than 160 frames. Rich Hill's injury gave him another run as a starter, but he has yet to record an out past the fifth inning. There's enough upside to roster him in most mixed leagues.

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's still a useful piece to roster in all leagues when he returns.

Although everyone wanted Trevor May to close for Minnesota, the honor has instead mostly gone to Parker. He has recorded a team-high 10 saves but a 3.77 ERA and 5.72 FIP aren't pretty. He's bound to experience some regression once his BABIP and strand rate return to the mean, and the AL Central-leading Twins should bolster their bullpen before the trade deadline.

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.

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 4.08 ERA in 103.2 innings. While the WHIP (1.39) is high and the ERA keeps rising following a stellar beginning, he is starting to miss more bats with three secondary pitches each netting swinging-strike rates of 11.5% or higher. A 3.86 FIP and 3.45 xFIP suggest recent regression swung too far in the other direction, so he should settle down into an effective fantasy starter when returning from a blister injury.

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.

 

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 38 strikeouts in 26 innings, but it's come with a 4.15 ERA and 5.22 FIP. Allowing a bunch of walks and home runs is a dangerous combo for anyone, so don't count on him receiving saves over John Gant and Carlos Martinez.

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.

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.

Ottavino might be stuck behind Chapman, Betances, Britton and Chad Green for the closer job, but he is a force of nature who could strike out 100 batters this season to go with sparkling ratios and a handful of wins. Don't hesitate to add him late in drafts to boost you in three categories.

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.

A popular preseason sleeper, Strahm quickly got discarded after allowing eight hits, three walks, and five runs in his first turn. He then posted a 2.63 ERA in nine starts before getting shelled for 28 runs in his last five starts before the break. Making matters worse, that slump contained two seven-run shellacking by the Marlins and Giants. If he can't be trusted against those listless lineups, Strahm can't be rostered in the typical mixed league.

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 shut down until August, meaning a 2019 return is no longer a certainty. He's no longer an essential stash.

Wade Davis has been a disaster since returning from an oblique strain, surrendering 12 runs in 9.1 innings. If he continues to falter, Oberg could assume the closer's role he held during Davis' absence. While he'd also have to contend with Coors Field, the 29-year-old righty has recorded a 2.04 ERA and 43 strikeouts in 39.2 innings this season. He's worth a speculative add if searching for saves -- or wanting to handcuff Davis -- in deeper leagues.

Alvarado initially appeared on the verge of becoming this year's Blake Treinen, dominating out of the gate with 16 strikeouts and four saves in 10 scoreless outings. The early monopoly on Tampa Bay's closing gig proved a mirage, and his command abandoned him long before suffering an oblique strain right before the All-Star break. Out for six to eight weeks, there's no use stashing him in any re-draft leagues.

Britton isn't going to be the closer in New York, nor is he likely the next man up since Dellin Betances is also ahead of him, but Britton is still well worth owning if your league allows you to start four or five relievers. He will help your ratios significantly while adding nearly 80 Ks as usual.

Jordan Hicks is out for the season (and perhaps part of 2020) with a torn UCL. That opens up save opportunities in St. Louis. Manager Mike Shildt has hinted at Carlos Martinez as his preferred closer, but general manager Mike Girsch identified Gant as their best option. The 26-year-old righty has recorded a 2.40 ERA and 0.87 ERA in the bullpen, and that's after ceding four runs while recording one out on June 23. Pick up Gant in case he gets the saves.

Minter was supposed to be in the heat of the competition for saves in Atlanta, and while that may happen down the road, an injury setback for him has handed the job over to Vizcaino. Unless you play in a deeper league, this should make Minter undraftable, but worth keeping an eye on in free agency.

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.

 

Bradley looked like the overwhelming favorite to close in the desert, but then the Diamondbacks signed Greg Holland in January. Manager Torey Lovullo named Holland the closer just prior to Opening Day. Bradley's ERA ballooned to 3.64 last season, but his xFIP and SIERA suggest he was pretty much the same pitcher as he was in 2017. He just stranded fewer baserunners and surrendered more home runs. Although unlikely to be nearly as dominant as he was in 2017, he should be better than Holland and could eventually steal the closer gig from him.

Strickland opened the year as the Mariners' closer but is now on the 60 day DL and isn't even guaranteed the job when or if he returns. There is no need to waste an IL spot on him for your fantasy roster.

Most depth charts have Shane Greene slotted into the closer role for Detroit but this job is up in the air. Jimenez was an all-star last season, and while he pitched poorly down the stretch, don't sleep on him winning the job this spring.

 

 

After spending the last few years as a subpar reliever, the unlikely breakout star posted a 3.64 ERA and 24.9% K rate in 12 starts before going on the IL with a hamstring injury. Shortly after returning, he's relinquished seven runs to the Cubs in consecutive starts. Suddenly he's underperforming his 4.44 FIP rather than the other way around. If not dropped when getting injured, he's likely on the waiver wire now. Keep tabs on his progress from a distance.

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.

 

 

Just as he began to turn a corner, posting a 2.27 ERA in six starts after getting ransacked for 10 runs by the Mets, Lopez landed on the IL with a shoulder injury. He's awaiting results of tests to reveal its severity. A 3.52 FIP, 17.5 K-BB% rate and 48.8% ground-ball rate all pointed to him morphing into a mixed-league mainstay, so try to make room for Lopez on the IL or bench. It's reasonable to drop him in smaller leagues if in a roster bind.

 

After moving into Minnesota's rotation in mid-April, Perez posted a 2.01 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in seven starts. He has since fallen hard, surrendering 15 runs in his last four turns with 14 strikeouts and 11 walks. Since the reclamation project still sports a 3.97 ERA and 3.81 FIP, it might be too early to abandon the southpaw beyond the shallowest of mixed leagues. He at least will get to consistency pitch against the feeble AL Central, which could help sustain his resurgence as a usable starter.

Will Smith is the closer for now in San Francisco but he hasn't been all that durable, plus he may be on the trade market before long as a coveted lefty setup man. Don't sleep on Melancon getting saves again within a few months.

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.

 

Robertson landed on the IL with a sore elbow on April 15. Before getting sidelined, he ceded four runs in 6.1 innings with six walks and strikeouts apiece. It's still an atypical development for the veteran righty, who has logged at least 60 innings and 75 strikeouts in each of the last seven seasons. This may be burying the lede, but the 34-year-old also did not record a single save in the opening two weeks. With the Phillies declaring no closer, there's no need to stash an injured reliever in standard mixed leagues.

 

Well, that didn't last long. Moved back into the rotation, McHugh mustered a 1.96 ERA through four superb starts. Four starts, later, his ERA has inflated to 6.37. He has relinquished eight home runs among his 24 hits allowed in those 18 frames. Those who rode his fast start must either move on or bench him until he turns the corner. It might not be long until the Astros slide him back into the bullpen.

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.

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.

 

Betances is merely a closer in waiting, but besides Josh Hader, the best in the game. He is a sure bet for 90+ Ks, with upside ranging to nearly 130. Likewise, his ratios will be terrific each year and you can even rely on a handful of wins and saves too.

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.

Steckenrider missed out on the Marlins' closer role, so while he may provide 90 strikeouts, there is no point in owning him if you play in a standard-sized mixed league.

It sounds as though Morrow is going to miss the start of the season. That could very well turn into multiple months as we've seen with "minor" pitching injuries many times before. It is a dangerous game to draft based on injury optimism, even if the closer does have considerable upside.

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.

 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.