Because saves have been so volatile this season, refreshing them before the weekend games and waiver wire runs should help fantasy managers prepare for recent changes in the high-leverage ecosystem. This will be the last update preceding the trade deadline. This is the first batch of rankings since the trade deadline, although some hierarchies remain unsettled.
When assessing the rankings, keep in mind they remain fluid as sample sizes grow. They mix in-season results with rest-of-season potential. Rankings should be part of a fantasy player’s toolkit, not the sole source of evaluation. I continue to use updated SGPs (standard gains points) for the season and the last two weeks, with an eye on rest-of-season potential.
Waiver wire recommendations will be listed after the rankings. However, if playing in a shallow format, defer to the rankings based on reliever availability in your league.
Saves Leaderboards (games played through August 20)
Updated RP Rankings for Saves
| Rank | Reliever |
| 1 | Mason Miller |
| 2 | Bryan Baker |
| 3 | David Bednar |
| 4 | Jhoan Duran |
| 5 | Josh Hader |
| 6 | Trevor Megill |
| 7 | Cade Smith |
| 8 | Louis Varland |
| 9 | Andrés Muñoz |
| 10 | Tanner Scott |
| 11 | Riley O’Brien |
| 12 | Jacob Latz |
| 13 | Aroldis Chapman |
| 14 | Pete Fairbanks |
| 15 | Emilio Pagán |
| 16 | Jacob Webb |
| 17 | Kodai Senga |
| 18 | Yoendrys Gómez |
| 19 | Ben Joyce |
| 20 | Mason Montgomery |
| 21 | Raisel Iglesias |
| 22 | Jordan Romano |
| 23 | Steven Cruz |
| 24 | Kenley Jansen |
| 25 | Hogan Harris |
| 26 | Dylan Smith |
| 27 | Andrew Kittredge |
| 28 | Grant Taylor |
| 29 | Luke Weaver |
| 30 | Jonathan Loáisiga |
| 31 | Clayton Beeter |
| 32 | Aaron Ashby |
| 33 | Justin Martinez |
| 34 | Brandyn Garcia |
| 35 | Daniel Duarte |
| 36 | Didier Fuentes |
| 37 | Nate Pearson |
| 38 | Bryan Hudson |
| 39 | Bryan Abreu |
| 40 | Brayan Bello |
| 41 | Chad Patrick |
| 42 | Adrian Morejon |
| 43 | Edgardo Henriquez |
| 44 | Sean Newcomb |
| 45 | Yovanny Cruz |
| 46 | Brock Burke |
| 47 | Yennier Cano |
| 48 | Paul Blackburn |
| 49 | Samy Natera Jr. |
| 50 | Luis Mey |
SOLDS Leaderboards (games played through August 20)
Updated RP Rankings for SOLDS
| Rank | Reliever |
| 1 | Bryan Baker |
| 2 | Mason Miller |
| 3 | David Bednar |
| 4 | Jhoan Duran |
| 5 | Louis Varland |
| 6 | Cade Smith |
| 7 | Josh Hader |
| 8 | Tanner Scott |
| 9 | Dylan Lee |
| 10 | Adrian Morejon |
| 11 | Jacob Webb |
| 12 | Trevor Megill |
| 13 | Brent Headrick |
| 14 | Steven Okert |
| 15 | Andrés Muñoz |
| 16 | Mason Montgomery |
| 17 | Riley O’Brien |
| 18 | Didier Fuentes |
| 19 | Bryan Abreu |
| 20 | Emilio Pagán |
| 21 | Aroldis Chapman |
| 22 | Jacob Latz |
| 23 | Hunter Gaddis |
| 24 | Kevin Kelly |
| 25 | Pete Fairbanks |
| 26 | Yoendrys Gómez |
| 27 | Tyler Rogers |
| 28 | Garrett Cleavinger |
| 29 | Kodai Senga |
| 30 | Aaron Ashby |
| 31 | Luke Weaver |
| 32 | Bradgley Rodriguez |
| 33 | Grant Taylor |
| 34 | Michael Petersen |
| 35 | Raisel Iglesias |
| 36 | Daniel Duarte |
| 37 | Edgardo Henriquez |
| 38 | Ben Joyce |
| 39 | Paul Blackburn |
| 40 | Brock Burke |
| 41 | Tyron Guerrero |
| 42 | Kenley Jansen |
| 43 | Andrew Kittredge |
| 44 | Chad Patrick |
| 45 | Jordan Hicks |
| 46 | Hogan Harris |
| 47 | Jordan Romano |
| 48 | Brandyn Garcia |
| 49 | Ryne Stanek |
| 50 | Steven Cruz |
| 51 | Jonathan Bowlan |
| 52 | Orion Kerkering |
| 53 | Dylan Smith |
| 54 | Luis Mey |
| 55 | Gabe Speier |
| 56 | Nate Lavender |
| 57 | Jonathan Loáisiga |
| 58 | Erik Miller |
| 59 | Eduard Bazardo |
| 60 | Clayton Beeter |
| 61 | Yuki Matsui |
| 62 | Jeremiah Estrada |
| 63 | Daniel Palencia |
| 64 | Ryan Zeferjahn |
| 65 | George Soriano |
| 66 | Jakob Junis |
| 67 | Drew Sommers |
| 68 | Jack Dreyer |
| 69 | Colin Holderman |
| 70 | Brennan Bernardino |
| 71 | Calvin Faucher |
| 72 | Nate Pearson |
| 73 | Tyler Holton |
| 74 | Tony Santillan |
| 75 | Kyle Finnegan |
Holds Leaderboards (games played through August 20)
Updated RP Rankings for Holds
| Rank | Reliever |
| 1 | Dylan Lee |
| 2 | Adrian Morejon |
| 3 | Brent Headrick |
| 4 | Steven Okert |
| 5 | Didier Fuentes |
| 6 | Aaron Ashby |
| 7 | Michael Petersen |
| 8 | Hunter Gaddis |
| 9 | Tyler Rogers |
| 10 | Bryan Abreu |
| 11 | Bradgley Rodriguez |
| 12 | Kevin Kelly |
| 13 | Garrett Cleavinger |
| 14 | Paul Blackburn |
| 15 | Jonathan Bowlan |
| 16 | Tyron Guerrero |
| 17 | Daniel Duarte |
| 18 | Brock Burke |
| 19 | Chad Patrick |
| 20 | Jeremiah Estrada |
| 21 | Brandyn Garcia |
| 22 | Nate Lavender |
| 23 | Orion Kerkering |
| 24 | Edgardo Henriquez |
| 25 | Gabe Speier |
| 26 | Jack Dreyer |
| 27 | Juan Morillo |
| 28 | Daniel Palencia |
| 29 | Jakob Junis |
| 30 | Luis Mey |
| 31 | Jordan Hicks |
| 32 | Ryne Stanek |
| 33 | Eduard Bazardo |
| 34 | Dylan Dodd |
| 35 | A.J. Minter |
| 36 | Hagen Smith |
| 37 | Tony Santillan |
| 38 | Tyler Holton |
| 39 | Samy Natera Jr. |
| 40 | Yuki Matsui |
Waivers Primer
Relievers of Interest
**Green = positive versus his peers
Waiver Wire Options
- Jacob Webb (CHC)
- Ben Joyce (LAA)
- Kodai Senga (NYM
- Jordan Romano (COL)
Ancillary Save Options
- Mason Montgomery (PIT)
- Bryan Abreu (HOU)
- Aaron Ashby (MIL)
Save Stashes
- Justin Martinez (ARI)
- Didier Fuentes (ATL)
- Luis Mey (CIN)
Thanks for being a part of the Closer Monkey community. Stay safe and be well.
Statistical Credits: