A new season is upon us and we are already seeing some weird bullpen situations popping up across the league.

It is really hard to truly predict how a bullpen is going to shape up this early in the campaign. But that doesn’t mean we are not going to try!

The Dodgers already have three different dudes with a save. Is it really Emilio Pagan in Cincy? Who’s it going to be in Detroit?

I also will talk about who are in line to get holds for those of you in leagues that count them.

The closer’s I will label in the following tiers (I’ve added a fourth tier):

• Strong – they are definitely the closer.
• Probably – they look to be the closer, for now.
• Weak – I’m not betting on them to be the closer in the long-term
• Committee – We just don’t know who will get the ball in the ninth. Shrug.

Alright, let’s get into it!

NOTE; All stats are for games played through March 31.

Angels

Closer – Kenley Jansen – Strong

Jansen got two saves while Ryan Johnson got one save to begin 2025.

Jansen pitched two games in a row and that normally means the team will give their closer a day of rest and Johnson got the opportunity, with Ben Joyce also working two days in a row prior to the game on March 31.

Headed forward, I would expect Ben Joyce to be the top candidate to closer in place of Jansen but this time they both were given a day off.

Holds

Brock Burke and Ben Joyce both notched holds in the opening games of 2025.

Joyce is the clear top option in holds leagues from the Angels with his immense upside throwing 100+ MPH.

But Burke could be considered in deeper leagues that count holds. His 5.82 ERA was terribly unlucky with a 3.49 xERA, 3.87 FIP, 3.55 SIERA backing it up. He missed barrels with a 4.2% barrel rate in 2024 and had a very nice 47.4% ground ball rate.

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Astros

Closer – Josh Hader – Strong

He got two saves to begin 2025.

Hader is one of the best in the game. He is the dude.

Next!

Holds

Bryan Abreu got two holds while Bryan King got one.

Abreu is the clear top man in Houston for holds while everyone else is just a speculative add.

King is probably next in line with a 2.39 ERA in 2024 that was backed up with a 3.17 xERA, 2.71 FIP and 3.14 SIERA. He also had a solid 29.4% K rate.

Taylor Scott is an interesting arm after last year’s 2.23 ERA. But he did have a 4.13 FIP and 4.04 SIERA.

That has a lot to do with a high 12.4% walk rate and a 25.2% K rate is not good enough to overcome it. But he did allow 2-ply contact with a 3.5% barrel rate and 34.9% hard-hit rate.

Athletics

Closer – Mason Miller – Strong

Miller got the only save for the Athletics to begin 2025.

He is the closer and he should work his way into the conversation to be one of the top closers in the game, especially after last year’s 2.49 ERA was backed up with a 1.77 xERA, 2.18 FIP and 1.91 SIERA.

His fastball is 101 MPH and allowed him to return a 41.8% K rate in 2024.

He is that guy.

Holds

Tyler Ferguson, Hogan Harris and Noah Murdock all notched a hold for the Athletics to open up 2025.

Ferguson is definitely a candidate to continue getting holds after 2024’s 3.68 ERA was supported by a 3.67 xERA, 3.28 FIP and 3.42 SIERA.

T.J. McFarland is in this ‘pen and he notched 19 holds last year. He doesn’t get any K’s as he relies on inducing soft contact as he is just a deep league target for holds.

I need to see more out of Harris and Murdock before I call them adds anywhere.

Jose Leclerc is also in this ‘pen and he has had success in the past as a high-leverage relieve in Texas. He is an interesting dart throw in deeper leagues.

Blue Jays

Closer – Jeff Hoffman – Strong

Hoffman and Yimi Garcia each have notched saves in the beginning of 2025.

Hoffman pitched in consecutive days, yielding a save to Garcia.

They paid Hoffman the big bucks in the offseason and is the closer north of the border.

Hoffman was stuck in a Philly bullpen last year but he was fantastic with a 2.17 ERA, 2.87 xERA, 2.52 FIP and 2.39 SIERA. He also had a K rate of 33.6% and a walk rate of just 6.0%.

He should be a solid closer for the year in Toronto.

Holds

Brendon Little got two holds while Nick Sandlin and Yariel Rodriguez each to one.

Little is the lefty option out of the ‘pen in Toronto and probably isn’t a reliable source of holds on a consistent basis.

Sandlin has some late inning experience in his career but has allowed too much hard contact and doesn’t strikeout enough hitters for me to really trust him. His 11% barrel rate makes me believe the 5.23 FIP from last year.

Ultimately, Garcia and Chad Green are the two main arms for holds out of this ‘pen.

Though, I am intrigued by Yariel Rodriguez in the bullpen. He throws hard and has some swing-and-miss potential. But he is just someone to watch, for now.

Braves

Closer – Raisel Iglesias – Strong

No one got a save in Atlanta as they have stuggled out of the gate as a team, having yet to win a game.

I fully expect that to change.

Igesias has six seasons of 28+ saves in his career. He is the closer for the Braves.

Holds

As the Braves are winless, only one arm got a hold and that was Dylan Lee.

Lee got some looks last year late in games and is more than just a lefty specialist as he threw 59.2 innings in 52 appearances last year. He had a 2.11 ERA with a 2.57 xERA, 3.00 FIP and a 2.73 SIERA while obtaining a nice 31.7% K rate and 7.1% BB rate.

With Joe Jimenez on the 60-day IL, Lee and Pierce Johnson look to be the top dudes to setup Iglesias.

Brewers

Closer – Trevor Megill – Strong

There has yet to be a save in Milwaukee in 2025. But Megill was awesome last year when Devin Williams was down.

There is little reason to doubt he will be the guy when the time comes. He had a 2.72 ERA with a 2.83 xERA, 3.10 FIP, 3.31 SIERA with a respectable 27.3% K rate and 7.7% BB rate.

Holds

This is a some what deep bullpen with some solid, though underwhelming, arms. Jared Koenig, Joel Payamps and Bryan Hudson are all in line for holds.

Koenig induces soft contact and ground balls and doesn’t strike a lot batters outs. Payamps has a bit more K upside but allows too much hard contact for comfort. Hudson had a 1.73 ERA last year and, while that ERA is not repeatable, he also allowed soft contact last year.

Payamps and Hudson are the two top candidates mainly because they were 1 and 2 in holds on the team in 2024.

The dark horse his Abner Uribe, who is serving a suspension from April of last year that he never served after being demoted and subsequently injured. But he is going to be in the ‘pen and was an early closer candidate last year after Devin Williams went down.

Cardinals

Closer – Ryan Helsley – Strong

Helsley and Steven Matz each recorded a save so far for St. Louis in the early going.

Matz’s save was a long-relief save and is not anything to overreact to.

Helsley led the league in saves last year and is going to be the dude in St. Louis.

Next!

Holds

The Cards bullpen has had a productive start to the year with Chris Roycroft getting two holds, with Phil Maton, JoJo Romero, John King, Kyle Leahy and Ryan Fernandez each getting one hold.

Romero got 30 holds last year and should be in line for a healthy number this year.

Maton has a ton of late-inning experience and should get some holds as well.

King has some holds over the last few seasons but is just a dart throw with no K upside.

Fernandez has better K upside and got some holds last year. I’d view him and Maton as tied for second after Romero for holds.

Andrew Kittredge and his 37 holds are gone so Maton and Fernandez should be in line for a good enough amount of holds to justify rostering in deeper formats.

Cubs

Closer – Ryan Pressley – Probably

Pressly and Colin Rea each notched one save to open the season.

Rea’s save was a volume save and shouldn’t be read into.

Pressly was brought in to hold down the closer’s role while they let Porter Hodge simmer and work his way into the role, eventually.

Hodge is definitely the superior pitcher, but is young and raw while Pressly brings a ton of experience.

Don’t expect Pressly to be the closer all season. But for now, he is the guy. And with last year’s 3.38 SIERA and 3.10 FIP, he is still an effective pitcher.

Holds

Hodge and Caleb Thielbar got two holds while Nate Pearson got one hold to open up the 2025 campaign.

Hodge is the man to roster for holds in the meantime but has a good chance to force his way into the closer’s role by season’s end.

Thielbar had a rough campaign in 2024 but has a track record of success as a high-leverage reliever with multiple campaigns with 12+ holds and respectable ratios before last year’s 5.32 ERA in Minnesota. His BB rate exploded to an 11.1% and if he can get that back down to between 5-7% like it has been, then he could be a decent option for the Cubs and your fantasy team.

Pearson has yet to have an ERA below 4.20 in his career to go with too much hard contact. I wouldn’t trust him on my fantasy teams.

Brad Keller is an intriguing converted starter who has seen a near 3 MPH bump to his fastball as a reliever (93.8 to 96.7) and throws his slider a tick harder as well now too.

Julian Merryweather is another name to keep an eye on after an abbreviated 2024. He was very good in 2023 with 17 holds, 32.3% K rate and 3.43 SIERA. Walks are his main problem.

Eli Morgan had a fun little 2024 with a 1.93 ERA and a ton of soft contact. Let’s see him do it again and in high-leverage roles before we trust him.

Diamondbacks

Closer – Justin Martinez – Probably

No one has recorded a save yet. But my bet all offseason has been that Justin Martinez will get the bulk of the save chances for the D’backs.

He had a 2.48 ERA with a 3.07 xERA, 2.49 FIP and a 3.14 SIERA. He was an extreme ground ball pitcher with a 58.9% rate while allowed 2-ply contact with a 2.8% barrel rate and 31.8% hard-hit rate.

But A.J.Puk is also an incredible option for the D’backs as he had similar numbers as Martinez, just without the ground balls.

The D’backs went mostly with Martinez last year down the stretch and I believe they will do the same in 2025.

But there is enough doubt for me to list him as ‘probably’

Holds

No one has a hold in Arizona to begin 2025.

Puk and Martinez are the two big arms to roster in leagues that count holds.

Ryan Thompson got 24 holds last year and is the next best option with a 3.32 ERA and 3.30 FIP and 3.23 SIERA to go with those holds.

Joe Mantiply is a deeper league option for holds with a ton of ground balls induced as he turned in a solid 2024.

Shelby Miller and Jalen Beeks are also in this ‘pen are should be watched.

Dodgers

Closer – Tanner Scott – Probably

Scott, Blake Treinen and Alex Vesia each got a save to start out the 2025 campaign.

Eek.

The worst fears of managers that took Scott in drafts has already began.

This bullpen has those three arms, plus Evan Phillips, Kirby Yates, and Michael Kopech coming back off IL at some point.

All of these arms have experience and success as a closer and that is awesome for manager Dave Roberts and the Dodgers, not so much for fantasy managers.

Scott got the big contract, but Yates isn’t exactly making the league minimum.

Scott is very much to leading candidate and should lead the team in saves.

But because of depth of arms, he might be limited to just 20 saves with double digit saves very possible for Yates, Treinen and even Kopech.

Scott is the only must roster player in 12-team leagues with deeper leagues needing to roster the others.

Holds

It’s the same analysis here. Except all the arms mentioned above should be rostered in all leagues that count both holds and saves.

Deeper leagues can consider Luis Garcia and Anthony Banda for holds. But they are nothing more than dart throws.

Giants

Closer – Ryan Walker – Strong

Walker and Camilo Doval each have a save early on in 2025.

Don’t freak out too much over Doval getting a save as Walker was held out due to back tightness.

But Walker pitched on Monday in a non save situation so he should be back to full health and ready to role.

I think Walker can work his way into the elite closer conversation after last year’s 1.91 ERA was supported by a 2.61 xERA, 2.52 FIP and a 2.45 SIERA. He also had a nice 46.5 ground ball rate, a soft 30.4% hard-hit rate to go with an excellent 32.1% K rate and 5.8% walk rate.

Holds

Erik Miller got two holds, while Lou Trevino and Tayler Rogers each  got one.

Doval is going to be the setup man for Walker and is the number one option out of this ‘pen for holds.

Miller is a lefty and is a matchup dependent play for holds.

Rogers is the next option in this ‘pen for holds leagues as he has 30+ holds in three of his last four seasons.

Trevino has a history of high-leverage roles but has not had a full time role in the major since 2022 due to Tommy John surgery and shoulder injuries. He had a 3.19 SIERA, 52.6% ground ball rate and a 26.8% K rate in 2022. So he could end up picking up some holds but he is just a dart throw for now.

Guardians

Closer – Emmanuel Clase – Strong

Clase did blow his first save chance while Paul Sewald got the first save in Cleveland.

But Clase was too damn good last year to worry and overreact.

Holds

Hunter Gaddis and Cade Smith got two holds while Tim Herrin got one hold to open up the 2025 campaign.

Smith’s K upside probably makes him more valuable in holds leageus than Gaddis as both Gaddis (33) and Smith (26) led the team in holds last season

Tim Herrin is a lefty,matchup dependent holds guy.

Sewald also figures to get some holds but is a deep league option at the moment.

Mariners

Closer – Andres Munoz – Strong

Munoz has the only two saves in Seattle to open up 2025. He is the closer.

Holds

Trent Thornton and Gregory Santos have the first two holds for the M’s.

With Ryne Stanek with the Mets and Austin Voth still unsigned, there are more holds to be had in this ‘pen.

Santos had a successful 2023 campaign with the White Sox but never got healthy enough in an abbreviated 2024 campaign. He is the first option for holds out of this ‘pen.

Thornton notched 10 holds last year with solid ratios and some K upside. I’d peg him as just behind Santos but both can be rostered in holds leagues.

However, the name to watch out is Matt Brash when he returns from Tommy John surgery. In ’23 he had a 3.06 ERA backed up by a 3.25 xERA, 2.26 FIP and a 2.86 SIERA. Brash returned a 46.1% ground ball rate and 4.8% barrel rate and a stellar 34.7% K rate.

He could quickly become their top setup man when he returns in around a month or so.

Marlins

Closer – Calvin Faucher – Strong

The fish don’t figure to be in line for a ton of wins, which limits the value of Faucher and makes himi just a fringey 12-team option.

He was solid last year with a 3.19 ERA to go with a 2.90 FIP. The SIERA was an uglier 3.61, but the allowed soft contact and a healthy amount of ground balls.

Holds

No one recorded a hold for the Marlins.

This will probably be a line I type a lot this year.

They also have three really solid bullpen arms injured in Declan Cronin, Andrew Nardi and Jesus Tinoco.

For now, Anthony Bender is the only arm worth rostering for holds but only in deeper leagues.

Mets

Closer – Edwin Diaz – Strong

Diaz has the only save for the Mets so far.

He had his ups and downs last year, but overall he was highly effective.

Diaz is solidly their closer.

Holds

Ryne Stanek, Reed Garrett and A.J. Minter each recorded a hold to open up 2025.

Stanek’s experience and success in high-leverage roles makes him the top option for holds.

Minter probably ends up being a left-handed, matchup dependent holds option.

Garrett has a problem with walks but his ERA estimators were lower than his surface as he is a deep league option for holds.

The dark horse option in this ‘pen is Jose Butto. He has the stuff to be an effective reliever. But he’s young and has yet to fully put it together.

Nationals

Closer – Kyle Finnegan – Probably

Finnegan is not my favorite closer, but the options in Washington are thin, so he is the guy.

But I don’t like that his 3.68 ERA is backed up with a 4.34 xERA and 4.25 FIP. But the SIERA was 3.81, so that’s… OK?

He is a ground ball pitcher but allowed a 48.1% hard-hit rate and he doesn’t induce many swings and misses with just a 22.1% K rate.

Watch out for Jose Ferrar. It was a small sample of just 32.0 innings but he allowed incredibly soft contact with a 1.0% barrel rate, 2.70 xERA 57.3% ground ball rate and 3.27 SIERA.

Holds

No one recorded a hold for the Nats to open 2025.

The aforementioned Ferrar is my top option for holds leagues.

Jorge Lopez is the next option with a 2.89 ERA last year and 10 holds but the ERA estimators were all well above that. But he does induce a ton of ground balls and somewhat soft contact, though an 8.7% barrel rate scares me a little bit.

None of these arms are particularly adept at getting strikeouts.

Lucas Sims had 23 holds for the Reds in 2023 and 16 total last year. But he has obscenely high walk rates (15.1% in ’23, 14.0% in ’24) so he is hard to trust.

Orioles

Closer – Felix Bautista – Strong 

I’m a little worried about Bautista.

The O’s were non-committal to him even being on the Opening Day roster way too late into camp for comfort.

They’ve also talked a lot about easing him back into the full time role.

The velocity is also down on his sinker by over two ticks. 99.5 MPH in 2023 down to 97.4 MPH.

It is way too early to overly freakout, thus the ‘strong’ rating here. But the velo is down, the K’s are down and the hard-hit rates against him are up.

Holds

Keegan Akin got two holds to open up 2025 while Seranthony Dominguez and Yennier Cano each notched one hold.

With Jacob Webb’s 14 holds in Texas and Danny Coulombre’s 13 holds in Minnesota, there are 27 holds on the table in Baltimore.

What I don’t like about Dominguez is the ERA estimators are all over the place with the SIERA at 3.41 and xERA at 3.64, the FIP was 4.68 and xFIP was 4.01. he had a way too high for comfort 12.2% barrel rate but the hard-hit rate was just 32.9%. But he also allowed a ton of fly balls with a 47.5% fly ball rate and didn’t miss many bats an 11.7% SwStr%.

I definitely trust Keegan Akin for fantasy with his much better ERA estimators, better K rate at 31.2% and BB rate at 6.1%. as the barrel rate against him was just 7.7%.

I also like Cano better with his extreme ground ball rates and similarly better ERA estimators.

Andrew Kittredge is working his way back from injury and will definitely cut into the holds but that probably won’t be until June at the earliest.

Padres

Closer – Robert Suarez – Strong

Suarez got two saves and Adrian Morejon notched one to open up 2025.

But if you’ve read some of my offseason content or listened to the Fantasy MLB Today podcast, Suarez was one of my big closer fades.

I will quickly demote his rating at the first sign of trouble.

But in 2024, he had a 3.53 SIERA while allowing too-hard-for-comfort contact with a 40.4% hard-hit rate and 7.75 barrel rate.

He also doesn’t miss bats, at a 12.5% SwStr% in 2024.

But the big thing for me an Suarez is there are some excellent bullpen arms breathing down his neck in Jeremiah Estrada and Jason Adam.

Estrada is my favorite to take over as the closer at some point this season.

He returned an elite 37.3% K rate last year with a 5.2% barrel rate. He missed so many more bats with an 18.2% SwStr% as well.

Holds

The aforementioned Estrada is my top option for holds and Jason Adam is not far behind him.

While Adam doesn’t have the swing-and-miss potential of Estrada, he still allows softer contact than Suarez and solid ERA estimators.

Morejon is another solid arm for holds with a ton of soft contact and respectable ERA estimators himself.

Being a lefty, he may be a bit matchup dependent.

Phillies

Closer – Committee

There are four potential arms to keep your eye one

Jose Alvarado struggled last year and lost his job midway through the season in 2024. He allows a ton of walks and the K’s dried up last year, going from two straight years of 37%+ K rates to just 24.4% in 2024. The ground ball rate went down to 46.0% after multiple consecutive seasons of 53%+. We need to see him get back to those numbers before I believe in him again.

Newcomer Jordan Romano had an injury plagued 2024 with just 13.2 innings of struggles. But don’t forget he had two straight years of 36-save seasons to go with sub-3.00 ERAs and mostly supportive ERA estimators and low barrel rates.

The potential closer behind door number three is Matt Strahm. He turned in an excellent 2024 with a 1.87 ERA and similarly low ERA estimators with an excellent 33.3% K rate and 4.6% walk rate.

Orion Kerkering is behind door number four. Like Strahm, he had an elite ERA of 2.29 with the supportive ERA estimators to with a nice 28.8% K rate and 6.6% walk rate. Unlike Strahm, he is an extreme ground ball pitcher with a 53.3% ground ball rate.

Romano’s experience makes him my personal favorite but Strahm and Kerkering are RIGHT behind him with Alvardo in fourth.

Holds

Alvarado and Kerkering both notched the Phils first holds.

The list above is the same pecking order for holds leagues.

Pirates

Closer – Committee

David Bednar was optioned to Triple-A as I wrote this article. That means three names come to mind when thinking of a replacement.

First is Colin Holderman. However, his 3.16 ERA was no where near supported by ERA estimators that sniff or eclipse 4.00 thanks to a 10.9% barrel rate and an 11.2% walk rate. He also has struggled out the gate in 2025.

Dennis Santana performed well for the Pirates after they acquired him midseason. He had a 2.44 ERA to go with a 2.44 FIP and 2.88 SIERA. He had a nice 29.1% K rate and 6.4% walk-rate.

Caleb Ferguson is an intriguing option that has soft contact and a high ground ball rate that makes me lean toward believing his 3.43 SIERA and 3.55 xFIP.

I’d go Santana, Ferguson then Holderman for the pecking order with Bednar out of the picture.

Holds

Ryan Borucki and Ferguson each got two holds while Santana and Justin Lawrence each got one.

Borucki had an intriguing 2023 but struggled in an abbreviated 2024. Watch list him in holds leagues.

Lawrence has not been very effective over the last couple seasons and can be ignored.

Refer to the list above for holds leagues as well.

Rangers

Closer – Luke Jackson – Weak

Jackson got two saves while Chris Martin got one to open 2025.

Jackson and his 5.09 ERA from 2024 was the surprise closer for Texas to open 2025. It did not start very well as he allowed three earned runs in 0.1 innings to begin the year but has thrown two innings of scoreless ball since then in recording his two saves.

Jackson’s ERA estimators were all below his surface ERA by a full run or more in 2024 as he has maintained a 50%+ ground ball rate the last three seasons and has solid swing-and-miss ability with a 13.5 SwStr% in ’24 and 14.0% in 2023. Even a full run lower ERA is still an ERA at or near 4.00 as he has allowed a too-high-for-comfort barrel rate, consistently above 8%. He also struggles with command with a 10.5%+ BB rates in three straight campaigns.

He is going to have to keep posting zeros for me to upgrade his rating away from weak.

Holds

Robert Garcia has two holds while Chris Martin, Shawn Alexander, Hoby Milner, Jacob Webb, Gerson Garabito and Marc Church each notched a hold.

Martin and Garcia are the two names to know in this ‘pen, not just for holds but to supplant Jackson as the closer.

Rays

Closer – Pete Fairbanks – Probably

Fairbanks has the Rays only save this year.

I label Fairbanks at ‘probably’ because he had a down year last year and there are a couple of intriguing arms behind him.

And the Rays do tend to play musical chairs with the closers role with 28 saves going to 12 arms in 2024 with Fairbanks getting 23.

However, Fairbanks’ ERA went to 3.57 with an xERA of 4.08 and a 3.75 SIERA.

We also saw his ground ball rate drop to 43.4% and the hard-hit rate jump to 41.1%. His SwStr% plummeted to just 9.9%, which is the most concerning.

Edwin Uceta is my main candidate to replace Fairbanks if he struggles. He had an excellent 2024 with a 1.51 ERA, 1.98 xERA, 1.70 FIP and a 2.10 SIERA. He had a great 35.8% K rate and a great 5.0% BB rate.

Holds

Uceta has notched  the Rays only hold and he is the number one candidate for holds.

Garrett Cleavinger is also in line to see high-leverage work but he struggles with walks as his ERA estimators are all at or above 4.00 form 2024.

Mason Montgomery (Wreck ’em Texas Tech) is flashing some serious heat this year and has an arsenal to be  a big part of this ‘pen. He has flased a 99 MPH+ fastball with over 20 (!) inches of IVB.

Keep your eye on him. He might even be worth a speculative add in deeper holds leagues right now.

Red Sox

Closer – Aroldis Chapman – Probably

Justin Slaten got the only save for the Red Sox to open 2025.

Chapman was named the closer and entered a tie ball game in the eighth before the Red Sox took the lead and Slaten shut the door.

Chapman is notoriously wild and volitile as a clsoer, thus the ‘probably’ rating.

Holds

No one recorded a hold for the Red Sox to open 2025.

Slaten is the top arm for holds out of this ‘pen He had a 2.93 ERA and ERA estimators that back it up. He also got a decent K rate of 25.9% and a great walk rate of 4.0% in 2024.

I’m also very intrigued by Garrett Whitlock. He is getting a couple ticks on his sinker and slider being in the ‘pen.

Keep your eye on Liam Hendriks as he works his way back from injury. He has a track record of success in a high-leverage bullpen role.

Reds

Closer – Emilio Pagan – Weak

Pagan got the team’s only save so far, and it should be noted that  he was warming up for a potential second save chance on Sunday. But that chance never came.

It is enough for me to call him the ‘weak’ closer on the Reds.

Though there are multiple reports that the staff is intrigued by the idea of Graham Ashcraft’s arsenal playing as a high-leverage reliever. He can get another tick or two on his curve and throw a harder slider that will help him generate more whiffs.

Holds. 

Tony Santillan has two holds while Pagan, Scott Barlow and Ashcraft each have one.

Santillan and Ashcraft are the top options for holds leagues, and I’ll throw Santillan’s name in the potential closer’s hat as well.

In 30.0 innings, he had a 3.00 ERA, 2.43 xERA, 2.73 FIP and 2.19 SIERA.

He also had an elite 37.7% K rate and very nice 7.4% walk rate.

I’ll need to see more from Barlow before I recommend him for fantasy.

Taylor Rogers is another name to know as he had some intriguing numbers from 2024.

Rockies

Closer – Seth Halvorsen – Probably

Halvorsen recorded the only save for the Rockies this year.

Meh, pitching in Colorado, the ratios are always in jeopardy and the wins won’t be there to rack up enough saves. Don’t consider any Rockies bullpen arm except in deeper leagues.

Halvorsen is a flame thrower (throws 100 MPH) with excellent control (4.3% BB rate).

Vodnik got some save chances last year but he has not performed well to this point in his career.

Tyler Kinkly also got some saves last year for Colorado but he has a walks problem with high ERA estimators, making him risky.

Holds

Same analysis as above. All of them arms are deep league options only.

Royals

Closer – Carlos Estevez – Probably

Estevez had a 2.45 ERA last year with ERA estimators that mostly supported his surface number.But a 49% fly ball rate and 10.1% barrel rate from 2024 makes me fear the 4.09 xFIP.

Lucas Erceg is my favorite to eventually be the closer in Kansas City. Erceg has a similar ERA but does not have any of the red flags that come up when looking at his batted ball and hard-hit data.

Holds

Erceg is the top name to have for holds.

Hunter Harvey is a deep league holds option but is a threat to your ratios after last year’s 47.6% hard-hit rate, 9.1% barrel rate that makes me believe the 5.18 xERA.

Angel Zerpa is the lefty matchup dependent .hold guy and he got 12 of them last year.

John Schriber had 23 holds last year with a 3.66 ERA and supporting ERA estimators.

Tigers

Closer – Committee

Brant Hurter got the team’s only save so far this year. It was a long-relief situation for Hurter and that is the role he will fill this year. He can be ignored in five-category leagues.

Jason Foley is in the minors now and we have no clue who is going to be the closer in Detroit.

Beau Briske had a great run to end the season last year as he had a 1.08 ERA in the final month of the season. He

Tyler Holton and Will Vest also finished very strong. As did Brenan Hanifee.

But we can’t really go based on around a month of dominant play.

Briske had a nice ERA and ERA estimators but struggled with command with not a ton of K upside.

Holton had a 2.19 ERA with the estimators to back it up. as he allows a ton of ground balls and soft contact. But will not get a lot of K’s.

DItto for Vest and Hanifee and Tommy Kahnle, but Kahnle had a high walk rate.

I think Briske, who blew up in his first shot at being the closer, continues to get the first crack then Holton and Vest are my next two options.

Ultimately, this could just be a messy committee all year.

Holds

See the analysis above. Briske, Holton and Vest are my top three candidates.

All of them are deep league plays for holds.

Twins

Closer – Jhoan Duran – Strong

Duran was elite last year and is the man in Minnesota.

Holds

No one has recorded a hold this year.

Griffin Jax is the clear leader for holds on this team. He has 23 and 24 holds the last two years to go with the ratios you want.

Cole Sands is an intriguing arm with a good ratios and command with some K upside to boot.

Louis Varland going to the bullpen gets his fastball up to 98 MPH and sinker up to 97.1 MPH and a 90 MPH+ sliader. Very interesting if you ask me.

Then there is Jorge Alcala who had  a decent year with 15 holds last year.

He and Varland are deeper league dart throws.

White Sox

Closer – Mike Clevinger – Strong

Meh. There won’t be many saves to be had. 12-teamers should ignore the White Sox.

Deeper league managers can go with Clevinger because, well, you’re desperate?

Holds

Clevinger, Penn Murfee and Jordan Leasure got holds.

But with a team set to lose a lot, just like with saves, don’t expect many outta this ‘pen.

Murfee had a great 2022 and injuries cost him ’23 and ’24. So keep an eye on him.

I wouldn’t trust Leasure at all.

Yankees

Closer – Devin Williams – Strong

Williams has the only save for the Bronx Bombers and should be the dude all year.

However, he is on paternity leave for the next 1-3 games so pick up Luke Weaver as the ‘next man up’.

Holds

Weaver, Tim Hill and Mark Leiter Jr. each have a hold this year.

Weaver had a nice 2024 with good K and BB walk numbers while having a good ERA that was supported by the metrics as he is the number one option for holds.

Hill gets virtually no strikeouts as he induces extremely soft contact and a ton of ground balls.

Leiter had an unlucky 4.50 ERA with estimators around 1-1.50 runs lower as he has a ton K upside and had a decent ground ball rate.

Fernando Cruz has a ton of K upside as well but he struggles with command and hard-hit data.

Weaver, Hilll and Leiter are the arms I suggest for holds leagues.

/wcm_restrict]

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