2019 Fantasy Baseball Rankings

The Mets acquired Diaz to serve as their new closer, and he should be one of the first two closers off the board in all fantasy leagues following his dominant 2018 in Seattle.

Treinen was simply phenomenal for Oakland last season, and he enters 2019 neck-and-neck with Edwin Diaz for the title of fantasy's number one closer.

Jansen has been so good for so long that you might automatically assume him to be the top closer once again in 2019, but last year, he was nowhere close to it. Rather, his ERA plummeted to 3.01 with "just" 82 Ks. You can still grab him among the top tier, but you shouldn't even be considering taking him in the first five or six rounds.

Aroldis Chapman was his typical dominant self last season and enters 2019 as the clear closer in the Bronx. This shapes up as arguably the best bullpen in baseball, however, so the Yankees will have no shortage of potential replacements should Chapman struggle or get hurt.

The Indians let Andrew Miller and Cody Allen walk in free agency, clearing the path for Brad Hand to serve as the team's clear-cut closer this season. At age 28, Hand has put together three straight seasons with an ERA under 3.00 and a WHIP of 1.11 or better, and his already impressive K/9 rate grew to 13.25 last season. Hand didn't experience any drop-off after moving from San Diego to Cleveland, and with little in the way of competition, he is fully capable of being one of the very best closers in fantasy baseball this year.

Astros manager A.J. Hinch has affirmed that Osuna will again serve as the team's closer, a role he inherited last year upon returning from a 75-game suspension and getting traded from the Blue Jays. Osuna was a dominant closer from 2015-2017, but his K/9 rate alarmingly fell to 7.58 between Toronto and Houston last year. The good news is that he maintained an above-average 14.7 percent swinging-strike rate, indicating that he should return to striking out over a batter per inning while maintaining elite control. Save opportunities should also be plentiful on the World Series-contending Astros, so it makes sense for Osuna to get drafted as one of the first 10, if not five, closers off the board.

Vazquez's surface numbers weren't quite as dominant last year as they were in 2017, but his FIP and xFIP were nearly identical, and his overall numbers as the Pirates' closer were still quite good. He should have plenty of job security after signing a four-year contract extension last year and is easily a top-10 fantasy closer this season.

Doolittle is firmly established as the Nationals' closer heading into 2019, and he's proven to be an elite one when healthy. Unfortunately, injuries have been a frequent concern for Doolittle, which helps explain why the Nationals acquired two other relievers with closing experience in Trever Rosenthal and Kyle Barraclough.

Although still unsigned, it's safe to assume Kimbrel won't settle for a setup role. After all, no reliever in MLB history holsters a lower career FIP than his 1.96. Despite a concerning walk uptick (4.48 BB/9), he posted a 2.74 ERA with 96 strikeouts and 42 saves in 2018. Somewhat surprisingly, his ADP hasn't suffered from a disastrous postseason and drawn-out free agency. That should change now that he remains a free agent in mid-March. Drafters must now consider the higher the likelihood of a delayed or rusty start to the season. Or worse, maybe he actually follows through on his threat to sit out 2019.

Yates took over as the Padres' closer following the Brad Hand trade last July, and the team didn't skip a beat. Yates finished with an impressive 2.14 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, and 12.86 K/9, so he should return as the unquestioned 2019 closer barring a surprise acquisition. Yates' fantasy value also gets a bit of a boost from the Padres signing Manny Machado, as it decreases the likelihood of Yates getting dealt to a contender at the trade deadline.

Hader registered three fewer strikeouts (143) than Miles Mikolas last season and eight more than Kenley Jansen and Ken Giles combined. Although not Milwaukee's full-time closer, he notched 12 saves and six wins with a 2.43 ERA and 0.81 WHIP. He led all relievers in strikeout % (46.7) and swinging-strike rate (19.0%). As a result, he's an anomaly who should get drafted above middling closers even in standard five-by-five leagues. Despite his clear dominance, it's awfully tough paying such a steep price for a middle reliever who's no guarantee to vulture as many saves and wins. With a consensus ADP above Sean Doolittle, Kirby Yates, and Jose Leclerc, drafters should instead try to find the next Hader in the final rounds or on the waiver wire. This could all change, however, if injuries to Jeremy Jeffress and Corey Knebel clear a path to saves. (The Brewers have also been linked to Craig Kimbrel.) Hader is a top-five stud in saves-plus-holds format who'd garner that same elite status in all leagues if given the closer's role.

New Reds manager David Bell has indicated that Iglesias is "going to pitch in the most important spots in the game," whether it is the ninth inning or earlier. Bell added that "[a] lot of times it's going to be in that closing role." In actuality, that may not be much of a change from past seasons for Iglesias, who has entered in the eighth inning in 43 of his 129 appearances (33 percent) over the last two seasons. He didn't amass more than 30 saves either year, but still finished as a top-12 reliever in standard 5

Leclerc emerged from relative obscurity in 2018 to become a dominant closer, producing a 1.56 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, and 13.27 K/9. That performance clearly impressed manager Chris Woodward, who has left no doubt that Leclerc will be the Rangers' closer again in 2019. He could be one of the better fantasy closers in the league even if Texas doesn't win a ton of games.

You may feel comfortable with the fact that Wade Davis is incredible, but beware of Coors. The saves will come, but chances are high that his ratios will lag behind what you are looking for in a closer. At his current ADP, you will almost certainly be able to wait and snag a better option.

The Blue Jays took on Ken Giles in the Osuna trade last year. Although Giles' 2018 stats don't look pretty at first glance, his underlying numbers - including a terrific 53-to-7 strikeout-to-walk ratio - weren't too bad. Giles actually makes for a decent bounce-back candidate and potential draft-day value if your leaguemates are scared off by last year's 4.65 ERA.

Phillies manager Gabe Kapler refused to commit to a single closer in 2018, and that will reportedly happen again in 2019, even after Philadelphia spent $23 million this offseason to bring in Robertson on a two-year contract. Robertson and Seranthony Dominguez are the two logical candidates to share the closer's role, but further late-inning shenanigans simply can't be ruled out from Kapler.

Allen had accrued a sub-3.00 ERA and K/9 above 11.0 in four straight seasons before his ERA ballooned to 4.75 with 80 strikeouts in 67 frames (10.75 K/9) last season. A massive 50.6% fly-ball rate led to a career-high 11 home runs surrendered. Here's the good news: He still found a ninth-inning gig with the Angels. The gopheritis and alarming walk increase (4.42 BB/9) make him a ratio risk, but Allen offers a rare source of affordable saves.

The Rays appear to be in no hurry to name a closer, and they may not assign the job to a single pitcher. But the early frontrunner should be Jose Alvarado, who earned eight handshakes last year while posting helpful ratios.

Smith doesn't have much competition for saves at this point, but he hasn't exactly been the most durable reliever. More importantly, he will be a valuable trade chip mid-season as a lefty setup man, so take the saves while you can with Smith, but know they might not stick around all year.

Spring stats often get overblown, but how do you ignore someone throwing 103 mph and collecting eight strikeouts in his first 16 batters faced? Armed with what pitching coach Mike Maddux called "the best fastball I've ever seen," Hicks brandishes elite upside despite posting a middling 3.59 ERA and 7.4 K-BB% in his rookie season. Remember, the Cardinals bumped him up straight from Single-A, so the 22-year-old is still developing. He just may ascend into a top-shelf reliever as soon as this season, and it's possible that dominance would land him save opportunities. If opening 2019 as the Cardinals' closer, Hicks wields league-winning upside.

Reports were suggesting that Vizcaino was in a closer battle with A.J. Minter, but now that Minter is banged up, it seems as though Vizcaino will open the season as the closer for a playoff contending team. That should make him worthwhile to draft, but that doesn't exactly mean he will hang onto the job for long if he slips up.

Although Baltimore may only win 50 games, Givens is one of the closers who has no competition for saves on his team. Even 25 save opportunities is better than what someone like Josh Hader or Zach Britton will get. Pair that with another 80 strikeouts and respectable ratios and we are looking at a top 30 fantasy reliever.

Some are under the impression that Miller was signed to close in St. Louis, but the Cardinals have made it clear that Miller will be a multi-inning middle of the game type of beast like we saw in his Cleveland days. Rather, Jordan Hicks or potentially even Carlos Martinez will close. Regardless, Miller should be able to pile up the Ks and keep his ratios down enough to warrant a late-round pick.

Although you may expect Herrera to be the closer battle in Chicago, some reports are suggesting that Colome has the upper-hand in the competition. This will be one to watch in spring training to see how it plays out. If Colome gets the job, he would be a top 25 closer.

Assuming Craig Kimbrel does not return, Barnes is reportedly the favorite to serve as Boston's closer. Barnes is coming off an impressive 2018 campaign in which his 14.01 K/9 was fourth-highest among all pitchers who threw at least 60 innings. His struggles with command (3.85 career BB/9) should keep his ERA north of 3.00 and WHIP above 1.20, but he can still be a pretty significant mixed-league asset if he's earning most of the team's saves.

Bradley looked like the overwhelming favorite to close in the desert, but the situation became considerably cloudier when the Diamondbacks signed Greg Holland in January. Manager Torey Lovullo now expects to have "a nice little competition" for the job. 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 certainly be better than Holland.

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.

Brandon Morrow is technically the Cubs' closer, but it seems as though he will miss at least a month to open the season. That makes Strop the likely replacement and for one of the best teams in baseball. Don't be surprised if Morrow misses longer or even losses the job to Strop while he is on the IL.

The majority of Dominguez' appeal was ruined when the Phillies signed David Robertson, who will almost certainly be their closer. With that said, Dominguez should be a three-category monster and well worth owning even without the saves.

Plenty are suggesting that Blake Parker was brought in to be the closer for Minnesota, but

Although Greene had a rough 2018 season, he comes into this year as the expected closer for Detroit. Joe Jimenez might take over before long, but as long as Greene continues to offer saves and strikeouts, he deserves a roster spot.

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.

The Marlins likely won't win 70 games, but even so, there will be saves to be found on the roster and Steckenrider is the early favorite to get the job done. How long the role stays his is anyone's guess, but saves are saves so add him late if you are desperate.

Morrow is working his way back from an elbow injury that should cost him the first month of the season. He was very good last season and will earn $9 million this year, so it's certainly possible he regains the closer job even if Pedro Strop is handling it well in his absence. He's a smart DL stash.

Strickland recorded two saves before any other MLB team could win a game. Guess he's the 2019 fantasy MVP, right? Not quite, but this is a case that demands swift attention, as the Tokyo games confirmed his status as Seattle's closer. He also started 2018 strong in the same role for San Francisco before winding up with a 3.97 ERA and 1.41 WHIP, so don't get too carried away.

A former elite prospect, Glasnow couldn't quite get his act together in Pittsburgh, but things started looking up when he was moved to the Rays. He struggled mightily with the long ball during his brief stint in Tampa, but the much more important thing is that he nearly cut his walk rate in half. Glasnow can miss bats with the best of them, so if he can stop giving away so many free passes we could suddenly be looking at a pitcher who can provide solid ratios to go along with the elite strikeout numbers. He's an exciting breakout candidate.

After Parker signed with the Twins, many assumed he will be the closer, but it seems as though Trevor May is the favorite. In fact, Parker is likely the third-best reliever in this bullpen behind May and Rogers so beware on draft day.

Let's not forget how awesome Stripling was to start the season. He posted a 2.39 ERA with an MLB-high 11.38 BB/K ratio before the All-Star break. Despite finishing with a 3.02 ERA, he underperformed a .266 xwOBA that finished ninth among all starters. A potential top-25 starter if provided a secure job, he's instead a dicey top-50 choice with the Dodgers likely to give Kenta Maeda the fifth spot after Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler, Rich Hill, and Hyun-Jin Ryu. He'll earn some starts eventually, potentially to start the season if Kershaw (shoulder inflammation) and/or Buehler (arm) aren't ready, but Stripling may not significantly exceed last year's 122 innings. The skills make him worth a plunge at the right spot, especially with injuries already beginning to pile up for the NL champs.

An intriguing bounce-back selection, Knebel is dealing with a UCL injury that has Brewers manager Craig Counsell concerned. Although one of the game's elite strikeout artists over the last two seasons, late drafters should avoid him in case the worst scenario is confirmed. Josh Hader could see more save opportunities, but the Brewers could still sign Craig Kimbrel or put someone else into the ninth-inning role so their best reliever can keep working in high-leverage spots.

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.

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.

McHugh was terrific in relief for the Astros last season and is now slated for a return to the starting rotation. This is a pitcher capable of helping in ERA, WHIP, and strikeouts, and the win potential is certainly there as well. He's a nice sleeper.

Jeffress could again see save opportunities in Milwaukee this season, but Corey Knebel is the favorite to lead the closer committee. Regardless, Jeffress can help enough in other areas (Ks, ERA, WHIP) to be worth rostering in many formats even if he isn't closing. If you're skeptical, consider this: Josh Hader and Jeffress finished as the third and fourth most-valuable relievers in standard 5

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.

Assuming the Red Sox keep their word and don't re-sign Kimbrel, Braiser will be battling it out with Matt Barnes for one of the most coveted closer jobs in the league. If he wins it, you can count on stellar ratios to go along with all the save opportunities.

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.

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.

Peacock has been very effective as both a starter and reliever for the Astros over the last two seasons and looks likely to open the season in Houston's rotation this year. While it's possible he's eventually pushed out by Josh James or Forrest Whitley, Peacock can be nearly as valuable as a reliever, particularly in innings-capped roto leagues. He's well worth drafting.

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.

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.

Despite posting a 4.66 ERA last season and struggling to reach 90 mph in spring, Holland will open 2019 as Arizona's closer. Best-case scenario: He keeps the job and records 30 saves with an ugly ERA like Brad Boxberger last season. He could just as easily lose the job to Archie Bradley or Yoshihisa Hirano in April, so he's best deployed in deeper leagues.

Strahm is the ultimate sleeper, as he is a great bet to post killer numbers if he beats out the odds and makes the Padres rotation. He has been a stud in the bullpen when healthy but may end up there once again.

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.

Pressly isn't expected to pick up more than a save or two this season because of Roberto Osuna's presence, but if Osuna were to suffer an injury, Pressly would likely take over the job and be a top 10 closer right away.

 

 

 

Boxberger is expected to have the closer job in Kansas City to start the season, but he is among the worst closers in baseball so keep Peralta on speed dial in case he takes over the job.

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.

 

 

 

If you play in a deeper league, Castillo can be a ratio master that racks up plenty of saves, or better yet, if you employ the Marmol Strategy, Castillo qualifies as a starting pitcher so you can plug him on days where you don't have enough starters going.

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lugo is one of those rare assets who qualifies as both a starting pitcher and reliever. Most likely, he will be used exclusively in the bullpen where he may pile up another 100 innings of stellar ratios.

 

 

May and Parker are seemingly in a batter at the top of Minnesota's depth chart, but Rogers is the type of guy who could find himself in the role at some point, and if it were to happen, he would dominate.

With Brandon Morrow out, the Cubs' closer job will likely end up in Strop or Edwards' hands, but keep an eye on Cishek just in case he takes the coveted role for a month or two to start the season.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hudson has quality stuff and produced for the Redbirds last season, but he is going to have a difficult time beating out both Alex Wainwright and Alex Reyes for the final spot in St. Louis' rotation. If it happens, he will be worth owning, but don't bank on it until we get more info.

 

 

 

Erlin may not be a household name and you'll never feel sexy about drafting him, but if you want quality ratios, especially WHIP, he will answer the call late into drafts as your 6th starting pitcher.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The closer job in Chicago seems to be between Herrera and Colome, but don't be shocked if Fry jumps in at some point in the season, as he has the best raw stuff and numbers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Castillo is out for the first two months, but if the Padres fall behind early and dangle Kirby Yates in trades like they've done with closers in the past, don't be surprised if Castillo takes over as a dominant second-half closer.