Another week has passed as the Nationals barrel toward infamy. The team can tie a franchise and major league record if it suffers two more blown saves in its remaining 23 games, and own it outright with three more. Meanwhile, Mason Montgomery keeps climbing up the closer ranks courtesy of a strong August while wresting the role despite the team’s aggressive adds at the trade deadline. Unfortunately, save situations remain unsettled in Arizona, Miami, San Francisco, and the aforementioned Washington Nationals.
It’s been tough sledding for closers returning from their rehab assignments. For now, Justin Martinez and Daniel Palencia have been removed from the top 50. If their results and usage patterns improve, they will return in short order. However, with four weeks remaining, time is of the essence.
Because teams continue using matchup-based approaches and managing workloads, an MLB record 240 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 nears its conclusion. 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 2026 and August, through games played on the 30th.
Stock Up for Saves
- Didier Fuentes (ATL); Juan Morillo (ARI); Elvis Alvarado (ATH)
Here are their statistical boxes for August:
Saves Leaderboards
Updated RP Rankings for Saves
| Rank | Reliever |
| 1 | Bryan Baker |
| 2 | Mason Miller |
| 3 | Josh Hader |
| 4 | David Bednar |
| 5 | Mason Montgomery |
| 6 | Louis Varland |
| 7 | Jhoan Duran |
| 8 | Trevor Megill |
| 9 | Cade Smith |
| 10 | Jacob Latz |
| 11 | Aroldis Chapman |
| 12 | Tanner Scott |
| 13 | Emilio Pagán |
| 14 | Grant Taylor |
| 15 | Andrés Muñoz |
| 16 | Raisel Iglesias |
| 17 | Riley O’Brien |
| 18 | Jacob Webb |
| 19 | Kodai Senga |
| 20 | Jordan Romano |
| 21 | Kenley Jansen |
| 22 | Ben Joyce |
| 23 | Andrew Kittredge |
| 24 | Elvis Alvarado |
| 25 | Steven Cruz |
| 26 | Yoendrys Gómez |
| 27 | Didier Fuentes |
| 28 | Juan Morillo |
| 29 | Bryan Hudson |
| 30 | Calvin Faucher |
| 31 | Brandyn Garcia |
| 32 | MIchael Petersen |
| 33 | Nate Pearson |
| 34 | Hogan Harris |
| 35 | Yennier Cano |
| 36 | Adrian Morejon |
| 37 | Dylan Smith |
| 38 | Carson Seymour |
| 39 | Abner Uribe |
| 40 | Aaron Ashby |
| 41 | Paul Blackburn |
| 42 | Bryan Abreu |
| 43 | Bradgley Rodriguez |
| 44 | Edgardo Henriquez |
| 45 | Erik Miller |
| 46 | Ryan Watson |
| 47 | Orlando Ribalta |
| 48 | Jeff Hoffman |
| 49 | Daniel Duarte |
| 50 | Josh Eckness |
Stock Up for SOLDS
- DL Hall (MIL); A.J. Blubaugh (HOU); Dylan Dodd (ATL)
Here are their statistical boxes from August:
SOLDS Leaderboards
Updated RP Rankings for SOLDS
| Rank | Reliever |
| 1 | Bryan Baker |
| 2 | Mason Miller |
| 3 | David Bednar |
| 4 | Mason Montgomery |
| 5 | Josh Hader |
| 6 | Louis Varland |
| 7 | Adrian Morejon |
| 8 | Jhoan Duran |
| 9 | Cade Smith |
| 10 | Trevor Megill |
| 11 | Didier Fuentes |
| 12 | Emilio Pagán |
| 13 | Tanner Scott |
| 14 | Brent Headrick |
| 15 | Aroldis Chapman |
| 16 | Jacob Latz |
| 17 | Jacob Webb |
| 18 | Andrés Muñoz |
| 19 | Grant Taylor |
| 20 | Aaron Ashby |
| 21 | Hunter Gaddis |
| 22 | Kevin Kelly |
| 23 | Bradgley Rodriguez |
| 24 | Dylan Lee |
| 25 | Paul Blackburn |
| 26 | Raisel Iglesias |
| 27 | Juan Morillo |
| 28 | Steven Okert |
| 29 | Tyler Rogers |
| 30 | Garrett Cleavinger |
| 31 | Edgardo Henriquez |
| 32 | Erik Miller |
| 33 | Michael Petersen |
| 34 | Brandyn Garcia |
| 35 | Abner Uribe |
| 36 | Bryan Abreu |
| 37 | Tyron Guerrero |
| 38 | Nate Lavender |
| 39 | Daniel Duarte |
| 40 | Riley O’Brien |
| 41 | Kodai Senga |
| 42 | Brock Burke |
| 43 | Jonathan Bowlan |
| 44 | Jack Dreyer |
| 45 | Luke Weaver |
| 46 | Mason Fluharty |
| 47 | Kenley Jansen |
| 48 | Erik Sabrowski |
| 49 | Rico Garcia |
| 50 | Dylan Dodd |
| 51 | Calvin Faucher |
| 52 | A.J. Minter |
| 53 | Jordan Romano |
| 54 | Yoendrys Gómez |
| 55 | Orion Kerkering |
| 56 | Andrew Kittredge |
| 57 | Evan Phillips |
| 58 | Gregory Soto |
| 59 | Ryne Stanek |
| 60 | Tyler Wells |
| 61 | Bryan Hudson |
| 62 | Nate Pearson |
| 63 | Jakob Junis |
| 64 | Yennier Cano |
| 65 | Jakob Junis |
| 66 | Ben Joyce |
| 67 | Eduard Bazardo |
| 68 | Elvis Alvarado |
| 69 | Gabe Speier |
| 70 | Dylan Smith |
| 71 | Luis Medina |
| 72 | Carson Seymour |
| 73 | Luis Gastelum |
| 74 | DL Hall |
| 75 | A.J. Blubaugh |
Stock Up for Holds
- Paul Blackburn (NYY); Mason Fluharty (TOR)
Here are their statistical boxes for August:
Holds Leaderboards
Updated RP Rankings for Holds
| Rank | Reliever |
| 1 | Adrian Morejon |
| 2 | Paul Blackburn |
| 3 | Didier Fuentes |
| 4 | Kevin Kelly |
| 5 | Bryan Abreu |
| 6 | Brent Headrick |
| 7 | Aaron Ashby |
| 8 | Bradgley Rodriguez |
| 9 | Dylan Lee |
| 10 | Erik Miller |
| 11 | Hunter Gaddis |
| 12 | Tyler Rogers |
| 13 | Brandyn Garcia |
| 14 | Steven Okert |
| 15 | Abner Uribe |
| 16 | Garrett Whitlock |
| 17 | Dylan Dodd |
| 18 | Erik Sabrowski |
| 19 | Nate Lavender |
| 20 | Edgardo Henriquez |
| 21 | Michael Petersen |
| 22 | Daniel Duarte |
| 23 | Jonathan Bowlan |
| 24 | Evan Phillips |
| 25 | Tyron Guerrero |
| 26 | Brock Burke |
| 27 | Orion Kerkering |
| 28 | Ryne Stanek |
| 29 | Mason Fluharty |
| 30 | Jack Dreyer |
| 31 | Jakob Junis |
| 32 | Drew Sommers |
| 33 | Luis Medina |
| 34 | A.J. Minter |
| 35 | Garrett Cleavinger |
| 36 | A.J. Blubaugh |
| 37 | Sean Newcomb |
| 38 | Tim Herrin |
| 39 | Tayler Saucedo |
| 40 | Ryan Watson |
Thanks for being a part of the Closer Monkey community. Stay safe and be well.
Statistical Credits: