Paul’s Call to the ‘Pen: April 8 – Saves Edition

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  • By Paul Williamson

    Last Updated on April 8, 2026 3:15 pm by Paul Williamson | Published: April 8, 2026

    It is the first Call to the ‘Pen of 2026 and I will keep the format from the end of last year.

    Usually I would dome 3500-4000 words on all 30 ‘pens. It was a large undertaking and I also believe was hard ot digest.

    Now I’ve decided to list players in tiers and break the article up into a saves edition and a holds edition. This is the saves one as I’ll have the holds one out later.

    I will list the closers in the following tiers

    Must-roster – they should be rostered in all leagues.

    Solid play – They are 12-team viable, fringe options for shallower leagues.

    Fringe-play – I would only roster them in 12-team leagues if I was starved for saves or holds

    Deep league play – I’m only using them in deeper than 12-team leagues

    Dart throw – Are you desperate?

    MUST ROSTER

    David Bednar – Five saves but the velocity is a couple of ticks down. Maybe it is early/cold? Something to monitor.

    Devin Williams – change up is up in velo and features over 2+ inches of arm side break.

    Jhoan Duran – He  is lookin’ damn good.

    Mason Miller – He is lookin’ damn good, too.

    Edwin Diaz – I still think he will lose out on a handful on ninths with the depth of arms they have in the ‘pen. Still an elite dude to roster.

    Ryan Helsley – Velocity is there with more IVB on fastball but reduced slider break. Not a panic reason but sometime to notice.

    Bryan Abreu – the velocity has started to return and he is too good to be this bad?

    Jeff Hoffman – So far, he is making his front office look silly for ever doubting him.

    Trevor Megill – He is the dude. Velo dip is a slight concern but 97-98 MPH with plus vert is going to play just fine.

    Cade Smith – Stuff is the same, no need to panic. Struck out two in a perfect  ninth of a tie game on Tuesday.

    Andes Munoz – Velo is down but the arm side runs on his four-seamer and sinker have dropped off by a few inches. Keep monitoring.

    Daniel Palencia – He has picked up where he left off last year

    Aroldis Chapman – not off the greatest start with velo down almost two ticks. Nothing to panic over but monitor.

    SOLID PLAY

    Lucas Erceg – The stuff looks awfully similar to when he was a high-K arm in 2024. I got a feeling the swing and miss will return and he becomes ‘must-roster’ soon.

    Raisel Iglesias – Velo is down some but the results have been there.

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    April 8, 2026, 2:47 pm