The more things change this season, the more they stay the same. Even as some teams have a reliever emerging as a preferred option, matchups dictate late-inning machinations across the landscape, making it more challenging to mine saves. One week removed from leaving an outing early, suddenly, Andrés Muñoz is nailing down saves while working with increased velocity:
Ryan Helsley was passed over for a save opportunity on Saturday after allowing three home runs in his first two appearances since his activation from the injured list.
Because teams continue using matchup-based approaches, 173 relievers have already recorded a save this season, well ahead of the pace from the two previous seasons:
Although the top end of the saves strata remains in line with past years, the number of relievers with at least ten or 15 saves is lagging as a result of the appreciable spike in pitchers securing a save this season.
When assessing the rankings, understand that they remain fluid as sample sizes grow. They are a mix of in-season results and rest-of-season potential. Rankings should be part of a fantasy player’s toolkit, not the sole source of evaluation. This week may look different. I have continued 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 season and in June through games played on June 21.
Stock Up for Saves
- Josh Hader (HOU): Through his first eight appearances, he’s posted a 0.375 WHIP with 13 strikeouts against one walk (44.5 K-BB%) across eight innings.
- Tony Santillan (CIN): Amid a seven-game scoreless streak while posting a 0.571 WHIP with six strikeouts and no walks (23.1 K-BB%) across seven innings. However, it’s a narrowing window of opportunity for fantasy players with Emilio Pagán nearing a rehab assignment.
- Elvis Alvarado (ATH): Yes, he suffered a loss on Sunday, but he’s racked up 13 strikeouts and no walks (50 K-BB%) while recording a win and two saves across his last eight innings with a 0.50 WHIP.
Saves Leaderboards
Updated RP Rankings for Saves
| Rank | Reliever |
| 1 | Cade Smith |
| 2 | Jhoan Duran |
| 3 | Mason Miller |
| 4 | Louis Varland |
| 5 | Josh Hader |
| 6 | Paul Sewald |
| 7 | Bryan Baker |
| 8 | David Bednar |
| 9 | Jacob Latz |
| 10 | Andrés Muñoz |
| 11 | Raisel Iglesias |
| 12 | Tanner Scott |
| 13 | Aroldis Chapman |
| 14 | Pete Fairbanks |
| 15 | Devin Williams |
| 16 | Trevor Megill |
| 17 | Kenley Jansen |
| 18 | Elvis Alvarado |
| 19 | Tony Santillan |
| 20 | Alex Lange |
| 21 | Gregory Soto |
| 22 | Riley O’Brien |
| 23 | Ryan Helsley |
| 24 | Caleb Kilian |
| 25 | Yoendrys Gómez |
| 26 | Grant Taylor |
| 27 | Clayton Beeter |
| 28 | Hogan Harris |
| 29 | Brad Lord |
| 30 | Chad Patrick |
| 31 | Seranthony Domínguez |
| 32 | Luke Weaver |
| 33 | Will Vest |
| 34 | Garrett Whitlock |
| 35 | Jacob Webb |
| 36 | Yennier Cano |
| 37 | Orion Kerkering |
| 38 | Aaron Ashby |
| 39 | Bryan Abreu |
| 40 | Ryan Zeferjahn |
| 41 | Sam Bachman |
| 42 | Chase Silseth |
| 43 | Didier Fuentes |
| 44 | Jakob Junis |
| 45 | Gus Varland |
| 46 | Bryan Hudson |
| 47 | Robert Suarez |
| 48 | Tyler Rogers |
| 49 | Lucas Erceg |
| 50 | Daniel Lynch IV |
| 51 | Andrew Morris |
| 52 | Abner Uribe |
| 53 | Adrian Morejon |
| 54 | Jaden Hill |
| 55 | Antonio Senzatela |
| 56 | Victor Vodnik |
| 57 | Ryan Rolison |
| 58 | Kevin Kelly |
| 59 | Yohan Ramírez |
| 60 | Garrett Cleavinger |
Stock Up for SOLDS
- Adrian Morejon (SD): He has only recorded one hold over the last 14 days; however, he’s collected two wins and posted a 0.52 WHIP with nine strikeouts and no walks (34.6 K-BB%) across 7.2 scoreless frames.
- Garrett Cleavinger (TB): Bouncing back from a slow start this season, he’s recorded a win, a save, and three holds over the last two weeks with eight strikeouts versus two walks (26.1 K-BB%) over six innings.
SOLDS Leaderboards
Updated RP Rankings for SOLDS
| Rank | Reliever |
| 1 | Cade Smith |
| 2 | Jhoan Duran |
| 3 | Mason Miller |
| 4 | Louis Varland |
| 5 | Dylan Lee |
| 6 | Josh Hader |
| 7 | Bryan Baker |
| 8 | Paul Sewald |
| 9 | Jacob Latz |
| 10 | David Bednar |
| 11 | Tanner Scott |
| 12 | Adrian Morejon |
| 13 | Raisel Iglesias |
| 14 | Fernando Cruz |
| 15 | Robert Suarez |
| 16 | Kevin Kelly |
| 17 | Hunter Gaddis |
| 18 | Grant Taylor |
| 19 | Tim Herrin |
| 20 | Alex Vesia |
| 21 | Andrés Muñoz |
| 22 | Garrett Whitlock |
| 23 | Eduard Bazardo |
| 24 | Tyler Rogers |
| 25 | Trevor Megill |
| 26 | Elvis Alvarado |
| 27 | Luke Weaver |
| 28 | Aroldis Chapman |
| 29 | Devin Williams |
| 30 | Huascar Brazobán |
| 31 | Tony Santillan |
| 32 | Orion Kerkering |
| 33 | Garrett Cleavinger |
| 34 | JoJo Romero |
| 35 | Bryan King |
| 36 | Gabe Speier |
| 37 | Daniel Lynch IV |
| 38 | Kenley Jansen |
| 39 | Alex Lange |
| 40 | Yennier Cano |
| 41 | Hogan Harris |
| 42 | Riley O’Brien |
| 43 | Gregory Soto |
| 44 | Jason Adam |
| 45 | Michael Petersen |
| 46 | Yoendrys Gómez |
| 47 | Will Vest |
| 48 | Jakob Junis |
| 49 | Abner Uribe |
| 50 | Aaron Ashby |
| 51 | Anthony Bender |
| 52 | Didier Fuentes |
| 53 | Colin Holderman |
| 54 | Brad Lord |
| 55 | Seranthony Domínguez |
| 56 | Ryan Helsley |
| 57 | Bryan Hudson |
| 58 | Caleb Kilian |
| 59 | Jeff Hoffman |
| 60 | Bryan Abreu |
| 61 | Andrew Kittredge |
| 62 | A.J. Minter |
| 63 | José Alvarado |
| 64 | Lucas Erceg |
| 65 | Ryan Zeferjahn |
| 66 | Andrew Morris |
| 67 | Rico Garcia |
| 68 | Clayton Beeter |
| 69 | Anthony Banda |
| 70 | Calvin Faucher |
| 71 | Tejay Antone |
| 72 | Brock Burke |
| 73 | Tyler Holton |
| 74 | Kevn Ginkel |
| 75 | Yohan Ramírez |
Holds Leaderboards
Updated RP Rankings for Holds
| Rank | Reliever |
| 1 | Dylan Lee |
| 2 | Adrian Morejon |
| 3 | Luke Weaver |
| 4 | Robert Suarez |
| 5 | Kevin Kelly |
| 6 | Fernando Cruz |
| 7 | Eduard Bazardo |
| 8 | Orion Kerkering |
| 9 | Garrett Whitlock |
| 10 | Yennier Cano |
| 11 | Hunter Gaddis |
| 12 | Tyler Rogers |
| 13 | Tim Herrin |
| 14 | Huascar Brazobán |
| 15 | Bryan King |
| 16 | Abner Uribe |
| 17 | Gabe Speier |
| 18 | Garrett Cleavinger |
| 19 | Daniel Lynch IV |
| 20 | JoJo Romero |
| 21 | Grant Taylor |
| 22 | Jason Adam |
| 23 | Michael Petersen |
| 24 | Alex Vesia |
| 25 | Tyler Holton |
| 26 | Aaron Ashby |
| 27 | Anthony Bender |
| 28 | Tejay Antone |
| 29 | Jakob Junis |
| 30 | Colin Holderman |
| 31 | Brad Lord |
| 32 | Ryan Zeferjahn |
| 33 | Didier Fuentes |
| 34 | Kevin Ginkel |
| 35 | Tejay Antone |
| 36 | A.J. MInter |
| 37 | Andrew Morris |
| 38 | Anthony Banda |
| 39 | Will Klein |
| 40 | Calvin Faucher |
Updated RP American League-Only Rankings
| Rank | Reliever |
| 1 | Cade Smith |
| 2 | Louis Varland |
| 3 | Josh Hader |
| 4 | Bryan Baker |
| 5 | David Bednar |
| 6 | Jacob Latz |
| 7 | Andrés Muñoz |
| 8 | Aroldis Chapman |
| 9 | Kenley Jansen |
| 10 | Elvis Alvarado |
| 11 | Alex Lange |
| 12 | Ryan Helsley |
| 13 | Yoendrys Gómez |
| 14 | Grant Taylor |
| 15 | Hogan Harris |
| 16 | Seranthony Domínguez |
| 17 | Will Vest |
| 18 | Garrett Whitlock |
| 19 | Yennier Cano |
| 20 | Bryan Abreu |
| 21 | Ryan Zeferjahn |
| 22 | Sam Bachman |
| 23 | Chase Silseth |
| 24 | Jakob Junis |
| 25 | Bryan Hudson |
Updated RP National League-Only Rankings
| Rank | Reliever |
| 1 | Jhoan Duran |
| 2 | Mason Miller |
| 3 | Paul Sewald |
| 4 | Raisel Iglesias |
| 5 | Tanner Scott |
| 6 | Pete Fairbanks |
| 7 | Devin Williams |
| 8 | Trevor Megill |
| 9 | Tony Santillan |
| 10 | Gregory Soto |
| 11 | Riley O’Brien |
| 12 | Caleb Kilian |
| 13 | Clayton Beeter |
| 14 | Brad Lord |
| 15 | Chad Patrick |
| 16 | Luke Weaver |
| 17 | Jacob Webb |
| 18 | Orion Kerkering |
| 19 | Aaron Ashby |
| 20 | Didier Fuentes |
| 21 | Gus Varland |
| 22 | Robert Suarez |
| 23 | Abner Uribe |
| 24 | Adrian Morejon |
| 25 | Jaden Hill |
Thanks for being a part of the Closer Monkey community. Stay safe, and be well.
Statistical Credits: