Recognizing that ranking relievers can become outdated within hours, Closer Monkey’s updated rankings incorporate in-season results with rest-of-season potential, yielding a number often worth debating. Each week, we are providing saves, SOLDS, and holds rankings.
Relievers on the Rise
- Camilo Doval (SF): After reclaiming the closer role, he has recorded consecutive 4-out saves, though his command was not pristine. Riding a 21-game scoreless streak since April 12, he has recorded two wins, five saves, seven holds, and a 0.628 WHIP with 20 strikeouts versus eight walks (16.9 K-BB%) across 20.2 innings.
- Daniel Palencia (CHC): His rise in the Cubs’ leverage ladder has been a combination of perfect timing bundled with electric velocity and demeanor. Since May 21, he has converted all five saves, allowing one hit and striking out six (37.5 K-BB%) through five scoreless frames. What may be the scariest for his competition, his best swing-and-miss pitch from last year, the splitter (19.2 SwStr% in 2024), has been used rarely this season. There could be another level for his strikeouts.
What to Watch For (W2W4)
- New York Yankees: How serious is Luke Weaver’s hamstring issue? If he misses time, fantasy managers can flip-flop him and Devin Williams in our updated rankings. (UPDATED: Weaver’s on the IL)
- Toronto Blue Jays: Can Jeff Hoffman bounce back in June with results closer to his April statistics than May?
- Washington Nationals: Which relievers receive larger high-leverage roles following the release of Jorge López?
Updated Top 40 Closers
| Rank | Relievers |
| 1 | Josh Hader |
| 2 | Edwin Díaz |
| 3 | Robert Suarez |
| 4 | Emmanuel Clase |
| 5 | Andrés Muñoz |
| 6 | Mason Miller |
| 7 | Carlos Estévez |
| 8 | Jhoan Durán |
| 9 | Aroldis Chapman |
| 10 | Camilo Doval |
| 11 | Trevor Megill |
| 12 | Ryan Helsley |
| 13 | Tanner Scott |
| 14 | Emilio Pagán |
| 15 | Will Vest |
| 16 | Devin Williams |
| 17 | Jordan Romano |
| 18 | Pete Fairbanks |
| 19 | Daniel Palencia |
| 20 | Jeff Hoffman |
| 21 | Kenley Jansen |
| 22 | Félix Bautista |
| 23 | Raisel Iglesias |
| 24 | David Bednar |
| 25 | Justin Martinez |
| 26 | Robert Garcia |
| 27 | Kyle Finnegan |
| 28 | Calvin Faucher |
| 29 | Zach Agnos |
| 30 | Shelby Miller |
| 31 | Tommy Kahnle |
| 32 | Jason Adam |
| 33 | Cade Smith |
| 34 | Kirby Yates |
| 35 | Lucas Erceg |
| 36 | Orion Kerkering |
| 37 | Yariel Rodríguez |
| 38 | Matt Strahm |
| 39 | Ronny Henriquez |
| 40 | Bryan Baker |
Save Stashes:
- A.J. Puk (ARI)
- Grant Taylor (CHW)
- Abner Uribe (MIL)
Updated Top 75 for SOLDS
| Rank | Reliever |
| 1 | Josh Hader |
| 2 | Robert Suarez |
| 3 | Edwin Díaz |
| 4 | Emmanuel Clase |
| 5 | Andrés Muñoz |
| 6 | Cade Smith |
| 7 | Jason Adam |
| 8 | Bryan Abreu |
| 9 | Mason Miller |
| 10 | Carlos Estévez |
| 11 | Tanner Scott |
| 12 | Camilo Doval |
| 13 | Jhoan Durán |
| 14 | Will Vest |
| 15 | Bryan King |
| 16 | Abner Uribe |
| 17 | Jordan Romano |
| 18 | Tyler Rogers |
| 19 | Trevor Megill |
| 20 | Griffin Jax |
| 21 | Ryan Helsley |
| 22 | Devin Williams |
| 23 | Jeremiah Estrada |
| 24 | Aroldis Chapman |
| 25 | Daniel Palencia |
| 26 | Emilio Pagán |
| 27 | Lucas Erceg |
| 28 | Kenley Jansen |
| 29 | Pete Fairbanks |
| 30 | Jeff Hoffman |
| 31 | Reed Garrett |
| 32 | Robert Garcia |
| 33 | Justin Martinez |
| 34 | Ryan Walker |
| 35 | Tommy Kahnle |
| 36 | Shelby Miller |
| 37 | Brendon Little |
| 38 | Yariel Rodríguez |
| 39 | Félix Bautista |
| 40 | Raisel Iglesias |
| 41 | Alex Vesia |
| 42 | Kyle Finnegan |
| 43 | Louis Varland |
| 44 | David Bednar |
| 45 | Kirby Yates* |
| 46 | Hunter Gaddis |
| 47 | Dylan Lee |
| 48 | Randy Rodríguez |
| 49 | Serathony Domínguez |
| 50 | Huascar Brazobán |
| 51 | Fernando Cruz* |
| 52 | Dennis Santana |
| 53 | Brad Keller |
| 54 | Garrett Cleavinger |
| 55 | Orion Kerkering |
| 56 | Matt Brash |
| 57 | Matt Strahm |
| 58 | Drew Pomeranz |
| 59 | Tyler Holton |
| 60 | Kyle Leahy |
| 61 | Tony Santillan |
| 62 | Jared Koenig |
| 63 | Tim Herrin |
| 64 | Ben Casparius |
| 65 | Phil Maton |
| 66 | Gregory Soto |
| 67 | Brock Stewart |
| 68 | JoJo Romero |
| 69 | Yennier Cano |
| 70 | Carlos Vargas |
| 71 | Mason Montgomery |
| 72 | Bryan Baker |
| 73 | Greg Weissert |
| 74 | Daysbel Hernández |
| 75 | Justin Wilson |
Relievers on the Rise
- Reed Garrett (NYM): Over the last 14 days, he has recorded two saves and three holds across 7.2 scoreless frames with 12 strikeouts against two walks (35.7 K-BB%) while producing a robust 18.7 swinging strike percentage.
- Greg Weissert (BOS): This represents a reliever benefiting from a larger leverage share with Justin Slaten on the injured list with shoulder fatigue. Weissert has posted a win and four holds since May 19 with seven strikeouts versus two walks (17.9 K-BB%). He can be streaky, but for those streaming for holds, he will be in line for them with the Red Sox in upcoming contests.
Top 50 for Holds
| Rank | Reliever |
| 1 | Jason Adam |
| 2 | Cade Smith |
| 3 | Lucas Erceg |
| 4 | Tyler Rogers |
| 5 | Abner Uribe |
| 6 | Bryan Abreu |
| 7 | Bryan King |
| 8 | Griffin Jax |
| 9 | Ryan Walker |
| 10 | Reed Garrett |
| 11 | Kirby Yates* |
| 12 | Hunter Gaddis |
| 13 | Louis Varland |
| 14 | Randy Rodríguez |
| 15 | Ben Casparius |
| 16 | Alex Vesia |
| 17 | Tommy Kahnle |
| 18 | Jeremiah Estrada |
| 19 | Drew Pomeranz |
| 20 | Brad Keller |
| 21 | Orion Kerkering |
| 22 | Garrett Cleavinger |
| 23 | Mark Leiter Jr. |
| 24 | Fernando Cruz* |
| 25 | John Schreiber |
| 26 | Phil Maton |
| 27 | Dylan Lee |
| 28 | Edwin Uceta |
| 29 | Seranthony Domínguez |
| 30 | Jared Koenig |
| 31 | Carlos Vargas |
| 32 | Brendon Little |
| 33 | Matt Strahm |
| 34 | Mason Montgomery |
| 35 | Daysbel Hernández |
| 36 | Gabe Speier |
| 37 | Tim Herrin |
| 38 | Yariel Rodríguez |
| 39 | Greg Weissert |
| 40 | Jose A. Ferrer |
| 41 | Justin Wilson |
| 42 | Kyle Leahy |
| 43 | Chad Green |
| 44 | Jonathan Loáisiga |
| 45 | Tyler Holton |
| 46 | Bryan Baker |
| 47 | Tony Santillan |
| 48 | Dennis Santana |
| 49 | Ronny Henriquez |
| 50 | Garrett Whitlock |
*= a reliever projected to be activated this week from the injured list.
Closer Monkey Emails for 2025
This year, the daily emails will change. Those interested in daily free updates with links should subscribe to our page at Substack. Subscribers to the former site will not transfer over; readers must register using the new link.
Premium subscribers can still use this link for daily, ad-free content or submit a $25 payment via Venmo to @gjewett9.
Thanks for being part of the Closer Monkey community. Stay safe, and be well.
Statistical Credits: