Assessing reliever performances through the first month-plus comes with apprehension because small sample sizes can be misleading. Focusing on the data and some underlying indicators helps fantasy players remain ahead of the competition.
Total Saves
- 2025: 243 saves recorded between March and April
- 2024: 248 saves recorded between March and April
- 2023: 210 saves recorded between March and April
Blown Saves
- 2025: 126 blown saves between March and April
- 2024: 132 blown saves between March and April
- 2023: 118 blown saves between March and April
Save Chances
- 2025: 369 save chances between March and April
- 2024: 380 save chances between March and April
- 2023: 328 save chances between March and April
Saves and blown saves are slightly down when compared with last year, but offense has been on the rise, affecting ratios:
- 2025: 3,979 runs scored between March and April
- 2024: 3,408 runs scored between March and April
- 2023: 3,744 runs scored between March and April
Even worse news lies in how saves are being dispersed on many teams. This season, 85 different pitchers have recorded a save. Last year, 69 pitchers recorded at least one save in this timeframe; in 2023, 72 pitchers notched a save by the end of April.
Individual Results and Trends
At the end of April, there were four relievers with at least eight saves without a blown save:
- Robert Suarez (SD) – 12
- Andrés Muñoz (SEA) – 11
- Mason Miller (ATH) – 9
- Josh Hader (HOU) – 8
These four closers are off to strong starts. But did they all record a WHIP below one, a K-BB percentage greater than 23, a swinging strike percentage over 15, and a strike percentage above 66?
Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/ksTC3/1/
Miller and Hader met this criteria, but the other two did not. Some intriguing names on this list, including Aroldis Chapman, who has carried over his strong second half from last year into the first month-plus of this season.
Shifting into the leaders at the end of April, these relievers recorded the most SOLDS (saves plus holds):
Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/blxo0/1/
And the leaders in holds:
Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/8ImQ9/1/
Two key indicators for sustained success by relievers are K-BB percentage and swinging strike rate. Leaders from each category are as follows:
Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/pPUv3/2/
Strikeouts and WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) should also be monitored closely by fantasy managers. Here are the leaders in these categories during the first month-plus this season:
Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/L8jqW/1/
It’s been a tremendous first-month providing information for the Closer Monkey community. More volatility lies on the horizon, so stay safe and be well until these situations arise.
Statistical Credits: