Volatility remains the high-leverage theme this season. Since our last update, the Pirates have a save, but it was Mason Montgomery who recorded it, even though he warmed up earlier in the seventh inning. Kodai Senga has filled in capably for Devin Williams. Edwin Díaz did not pitch over the weekend so he could fine-tune his mechanics, searching for a consistent release point for his four-seam and slider. Raisel Iglesias has struggled with traffic, resulting in two blown saves in the second half and an inflated WHIP. Ben Joyce secured two saves last week, but may not be used in back-to-back games this season. Arizona will activate Justin Martinez, so he is ranked accordingly, pending his return.
Last but not least, Mason Miller received rest in Cleveland, but it was a workload measure, according to Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune:
Because teams continue using matchup-based approaches and managing workloads, an MLB record 234 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 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.
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 16.
Stock Up for Saves
- Kodai Senga (NYM)
- 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 | Cade Smith |
| 8 | Louis Varland |
| 9 | Emilio Pagán |
| 10 | Riley O’Brien |
| 11 | Aroldis Chapman |
| 12 | Andrés Muñoz |
| 13 | Pete Fairbanks |
| 14 | Jacob Latz |
| 15 | Jacob Webb |
| 16 | Kodai Senga |
| 17 | Yoendrys Gómez |
| 18 | Kenley Jansen |
| 19 | Raisel Iglesias |
| 20 | Ben Joyce |
| 21 | Mason Montgomery |
| 22 | Jordan Romano |
| 23 | Edwin Díaz |
| 24 | Hogan Harris |
| 25 | Steven Cruz |
| 26 | *Justin Martinez |
| 27 | Andrew Kittredge |
| 28 | Clayton Beeter |
| 29 | Dylan Smith |
| 30 | Samy Natera Jr. |
| 31 | Brandyn Garcia |
| 32 | Luke Weaver |
| 33 | Aaron Ashby |
| 34 | Grant Taylor |
| 35 | Tanner Scott |
| 36 | Yennier Cano |
| 37 | Didier Fuentes |
| 38 | Nate Pearson |
| 39 | Bryan Hudson |
| 40 | Bryan Abreu |
| 41 | Brayan Bello |
| 42 | Adrian Morejon |
| 43 | Brock Burke |
| 44 | Sean Newcomb |
| 45 | Yovanny Cruz |
| 46 | Chad Patrick |
| 47 | Luis Medina |
| 48 | Paul Blackburn |
| 49 | Ryan Zeferjahn |
| 50 | Julian Garcia |
Stock Up for SOLDS
- Steven Okert (HOU)
- Didier Fuentes (ATL)
Here are their statistical boxes for the second half:
SOLDS Leaderboards
Updated RP Rankings for SOLDS
| Rank | Reliever |
| 1 | Mason Miller |
| 2 | Bryan Baker |
| 3 | David Bednar |
| 4 | Dylan Lee |
| 5 | Jhoan Duran |
| 6 | Cade Smith |
| 7 | Josh Hader |
| 8 | Adrian Morejon |
| 9 | Louis Varland |
| 10 | Trevor Megill |
| 11 | Emilio Pagán |
| 12 | Brent Headrick |
| 13 | Aroldis Chapman |
| 14 | Didier Fuentes |
| 15 | Jacob Webb |
| 16 | Riley O’Brien |
| 17 | Steven Okert |
| 18 | Andrés Muñoz |
| 19 | Mason Montgomery |
| 20 | Kodai Senga |
| 21 | Bryan Abreu |
| 22 | Jacob Latz |
| 23 | Juan Morillo |
| 24 | Hunter Gaddis |
| 25 | Kevin Kelly |
| 26 | Pete Fairbanks |
| 27 | Tanner Scott |
| 28 | Tyler Rogers |
| 29 | Garrett Cleavinger |
| 30 | Brandyn Garcia |
| 31 | Michael Petersen |
| 32 | Raisel Iglesias |
| 33 | Yoendrys Gómez |
| 34 | Brock Burke |
| 35 | Tyron Guerrero |
| 36 | Kenley Jansen |
| 37 | Aaron Ashby |
| 38 | Luke Weaver |
| 39 | Jeremiah Estrada |
| 40 | Andrew Kittredge |
| 41 | Grant Taylor |
| 42 | Alex Vesia |
| 43 | Paul Blackburn |
| 44 | Samy Natera Jr. |
| 45 | Chad Patrick |
| 46 | Jordan Hicks |
| 47 | Hogan Harris |
| 48 | Jordan Romano |
| 49 | Yennier Cano |
| 50 | Ryne Stanek |
| 51 | Steven Cruz |
| 52 | Jonathan Bowlan |
| 53 | Ben Joyce |
| 54 | Ryan Zeferjahn |
| 55 | Gabe Speier |
| 56 | Orion Kerkering |
| 57 | Dylan Smith |
| 58 | Dylan Dodd |
| 59 | Nate Pearson |
| 60 | Julian Garcia |
| 61 | Daniel Duarte |
| 62 | Eduard Bazardo |
| 63 | Jakob Junis |
| 64 | Bradgley Rodriguez |
| 65 | Clayton Beeter |
| 66 | Edwin Díaz |
| 67 | Nate Lavender |
| 68 | Erik Miller |
| 69 | Josh Walker |
| 70 | Yuki Matsui |
| 71 | Tyler Holton |
| 72 | Colin Holderman |
| 73 | Brennan Bernardino |
| 74 | Calvin Faucher |
| 75 | Luis Medina |
Stock Up for Holds
- Brock Burke (CIN)
- Jonathan Bowlan (PHI)
Here are their statistical boxes for the second half:
Holds Leaderboards
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 | Brock Burke |
| 9 | Tyler Rogers |
| 10 | Hunter Gaddis |
| 11 | Bryan Abreu |
| 12 | Jeremiah Estrada |
| 13 | Kevin Kelly |
| 14 | Garrett Cleavinger |
| 15 | Brandyn Garcia |
| 16 | Tanner Scott |
| 17 | Paul Blackburn |
| 18 | Jonathan Bowlan |
| 19 | Tyron Guerrero |
| 20 | Bradgley Rodriguez |
| 21 | Juan Morillo |
| 22 | Ryan Zeferjahn |
| 23 | Daniel Duarte |
| 24 | Ryne Stanek |
| 25 | Gabe Speier |
| 26 | Chad Patrick |
| 27 | Alex Vesia |
| 28 | Yennier Cano |
| 29 | Eduard Bazardo |
| 30 | Samy Natera Jr. |
| 31 | Nate Lavender |
| 32 | Orion Kerkering |
| 33 | Jordan Hicks |
| 34 | Dylan Dodd |
| 35 | Kody Funderburk |
| 36 | Jakob Junis |
| 37 | Luis Mey |
| 38 | Tyler Holton |
| 39 | Josh Walker |
| 40 | Yuki Matsui |
Thanks for being a part of the Closer Monkey community. Stay safe and be well.
Statistical Credits: