Another week has passed, and more changes have taken place across the closer ecosystem. Tanner Scott will be the Dodgers closer until Edwin Díaz returns, and even after he’s activated. Justin Martinez has not been used in a leverage situation since rejoining the Diamondbacks. As time passes, some teams remain in flux or relying on matchups in the late innings, including: Arizona, Baltimore, Kansas City, and Washington.
Because teams continue using matchup-based approaches and managing workloads, an MLB record 236 relievers have already recorded a save this season. However, the number of relievers with at least 15 and 20 saves remains behind pace compared to 2024 and 2025, while the number with at least 25 and 30 are ahead of pace:
When assessing the rankings, keep in mind they remain fluid as the season progresses. 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.
Each category will have an updated leaderboard featuring the leaders for the second half and the last 14 days, based on games played through August 23.
Stock Up for Saves
- Mason Montgomery (PIT) – I still worry about how they will use him for the rest of the season.
- Ben Joyce (LAA)
Here are their statistical boxes for August:
Saves Leaderboards
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 | Louis Varland |
| 8 | Tanner Scott |
| 9 | Cade Smith |
| 10 | Jacob Latz |
| 11 | Aroldis Chapman |
| 12 | Andrés Muñoz |
| 13 | Emilio Pagán |
| 14 | Yoendrys Gómez |
| 15 | Ben Joyce |
| 16 | Mason Montgomery |
| 17 | Raisel Iglesias |
| 18 | Pete Fairbanks |
| 19 | Jacob Webb |
| 20 | Kodai Senga |
| 21 | Riley O’Brien |
| 22 | Jordan Romano |
| 23 | Grant Taylor |
| 24 | Kenley Jansen |
| 25 | Hogan Harris |
| 26 | Dylan Smith |
| 27 | Nate Pearson |
| 28 | Rico Garcia |
| 29 | Adrian Morejon |
| 30 | Aaron Ashby |
| 31 | Brayan Bello |
| 32 | Daniel Duarte |
| 33 | Ryan Watson |
| 34 | Steven Cruz |
| 35 | Kevin Ginkel |
| 36 | Andrew Kittredge |
| 37 | Brandyn Garcia |
| 38 | Luke Weaver |
| 39 | Didier Fuentes |
| 40 | Paul Blackburn |
| 41 | Hagen Smith |
| 42 | Daniel Palencia |
| 43 | Chad Patrick |
| 44 | Bryan Hudson |
| 45 | Bradgley Rodriguez |
| 46 | Clayton Beeter |
| 47 | Bryan Abreu |
| 48 | Brent Headrick |
| 49 | Edgardo Henriquez |
| 50 | Will Dion |
Stock Up for SOLDS
- Nate Lavender (NYM)
- Bradgley Rodriguez (SDP)
Here are their statistical boxes for the second half:
SOLDS Leaderboards
Updated RP Rankings for SOLDS
| Rank | Reliever |
| 1 | Bryan Baker |
| 2 | Mason Miller |
| 3 | David Bednar |
| 4 | Jhoan Duran |
| 5 | Louis Varland |
| 6 | Tanner Scott |
| 7 | Adrian Morejon |
| 8 | Josh Hader |
| 9 | Brent Headrick |
| 10 | Dylan Lee |
| 11 | Cade Smith |
| 12 | Mason Montgomery |
| 13 | Trevor Megill |
| 14 | Didier Fuentes |
| 15 | Emilio Pagán |
| 16 | Jacob Webb |
| 17 | Steven Okert |
| 18 | Andrés Muñoz |
| 19 | Aroldis Chapman |
| 20 | Jacob Latz |
| 21 | Aaron Ashby |
| 22 | Hunter Gaddis |
| 23 | Kevin Kelly |
| 24 | Bradgley Rodriguez |
| 25 | Grant Taylor |
| 26 | Paul Blackburn |
| 27 | Raisel Iglesias |
| 28 | Daniel Duarte |
| 29 | Yoendrys Gómez |
| 30 | Tyler Rogers |
| 31 | Garrett Cleavinger |
| 32 | Michael Petersen |
| 33 | Edgardo Henriquez |
| 34 | Tyron Guerrero |
| 35 | Chad Patrick |
| 36 | Pete Fairbanks |
| 37 | Luke Weaver |
| 38 | Bryan Abreu |
| 39 | Riley O’Brien |
| 40 | Kodai Senga |
| 41 | Brock Burke |
| 42 | Ben Joyce |
| 43 | Nate Lavender |
| 44 | Jack Dreyer |
| 45 | Kenley Jansen |
| 46 | Erik Sabrowski |
| 47 | Rico Garcia |
| 48 | Brandyn Garcia |
| 49 | Calvin Faucher |
| 50 | Nate Pearson |
| 51 | Jordan Romano |
| 52 | Jonathan Bowlan |
| 53 | Orion Kerkering |
| 54 | Andrew Kittredge |
| 55 | Gabe Speier |
| 56 | Dylan Smith |
| 57 | Erik Miller |
| 58 | Daniel Palencia |
| 59 | Chase Silseth |
| 60 | Ryan Watson |
| 61 | Steven Cruz |
| 62 | Ryne Stanek |
| 63 | Tyler Wells |
| 64 | Cam Booser |
| 65 | Eduard Bazardo |
| 66 | Jakob Junis |
| 67 | Brennan Bernardino |
| 68 | Evan Phillips |
| 69 | Jeremiah Estrada |
| 70 | Andrew Morris |
| 71 | Luis Mey |
| 72 | Jordan Hicks |
| 73 | Hogan Harris |
| 74 | George Soriano |
| 75 | DL Hall |
Stock Up for Holds
- Didier Fuentes (ATL)
- Jack Dreyer (LAD)
Here are their statistical boxes for the second half:
Holds Leaderboards
Updated RP Rankings for Holds
| Rank | Reliever |
| 1 | Adrian Morejon |
| 2 | Brent Headrick |
| 3 | Dylan Lee |
| 4 | Didier Fuentes |
| 5 | Steven Okert |
| 6 | Aaron Ashby |
| 7 | Paul Blackburn |
| 8 | Bradgley Rodriguez |
| 9 | Bryan Abreu |
| 10 | Hunter Gaddis |
| 11 | Tyler Rogers |
| 12 | Daniel Duarte |
| 13 | Michael Petersen |
| 14 | Tyron Guerrero |
| 15 | Kevin Kelly |
| 16 | Chad Patrick |
| 17 | Garrett Cleavinger |
| 18 | Jonathan Bowlan |
| 19 | Brock Burke |
| 20 | Nate Lavender |
| 21 | Edgardo Henriquez |
| 22 | Gabe Speier |
| 23 | Jack Dreyer |
| 24 | Juan Morillo |
| 25 | Daniel Palencia |
| 26 | Jakob Junis |
| 27 | Orion Kerkering |
| 28 | Brandyn Garcia |
| 29 | Will Dion |
| 30 | Hagen Smith |
| 31 | Ryne Stanek |
| 32 | Eduard Bazardo |
| 33 | Dylan Dodd |
| 34 | A.J. Minter |
| 35 | Cam Booser |
| 36 | Jordan Hicks |
| 37 | Bryan Hudson |
| 38 | DL Hall |
| 39 | Luis Mey |
| 40 | Jeremiah Estrada |
Thanks for being a part of the Closer Monkey community. Stay safe and be well.
Statistical Credits: