This process can be challenging due to the sample size, but adjustments or breakouts do occur after the All-Star break. Our first segment features qualified relievers with the highest gains by percentage points in K-BB and swinging strike rate. There will be some overlap between relievers who appear on both lists, but relievers of interest for 2026 will be highlighted in each category.
K-BB% Gainers
Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/gqfG6/1/
Relievers of Interest
Jordan Leasure (CHW)
- 2H Results: 3-1 record, five saves in six opportunities, five holds, 30.1 IP, 41:9 K:BB, 0.792 WHIP
- Notable: Allowed 15 hits in the second half; six were home runs.
Unlike many on the list, there were no discernible changes in arsenal or approach. However, his splits by month and half-season illustrate that he improved his strike percentage after the All-Star break, which enhances his results:
Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/df5Lt/1/
Carrying over these gains and his role will determine his fantasy impact in 2026.
Pete Fairbanks (TB)
- 2H Results: 0-2 record, 12 saves in 14 save opportunities, 24.1 IP, 28:3 K:BB, 0.905 WHIP
- Notable: Allowed 19 hits in the second half; six were home runs.
Remaining healthy for a full season represents a win for those who took him as a fallback option at closer this season. His second half provides mixed results and may make him too costly for the Rays since his incentives will drive his team option for 2026 over $11 million. For our purposes, his splits by month and half-season:
Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/L9Xpf/1/
He could surprise the fantasy community once again, but if he’s traded, destination and role will determine how many saves he will accrue. I do not plan on paying to find out for next season.
Kyle Finnegan (WSH/DET)
- 2H Results: 3-1 record, six saves in seven opportunities, 22.1 IP, 28:6 K:BB, 0.987 WHIP
- Notable: Will he retain the pitch mix tweak from the Tigers?
During the preseason, I did a deep dive on Finnegan which concluded he should be throwing more four-seam fastballs in the upper-third of the strike zone.
Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/BEovM/2/
With this in mind, his usage patterns shifted after being traded to Detroit:
More importantly, he threw more elevated four-seam fastballs from August forward:
Which paired well with his split-fingered fastball locations, attacking hitters at the top and the bottom of the strike zone:
Which resulted in much improved results with the Tigers:
Link:https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/AmYva/2/
Fantasy managers must determine if this was a hot stretch or an alteration which will be maintained next season. As a free agent, he represents a potential bridge option as the closer until a replacement becomes available.
Brad Keller (CHC)
- 2H Results: 1-1 record, 3 saves and 11 holds, 27.2 IP, 35:8 K:BB, 0.578 WHIP
- Notable: Was scoreless in 27 of 28 appearances following the All-Star break, allowing one earned run on a solo home run.
A former starting pitcher, Keller effectively transitioned to relieving in the second half, utilizing five different pitches. His improvement lay in attacking the strike zone more frequently (64.1 strike percentage), resulting in a 12.1 percent swinging strike rate. This chart displays how he attacks hitters by handedness:
Getting this template honed unlocked his second-half results and sets him up for a potential payday. He signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Cubs and will be a free agent at the end of the postseason.
Mason Miller (ATH/SD)
- 2H Results: Three saves in four save opportunities, 10 holds, 26 IP, 47:11 K:BB, 0.692 WHIP
- Notable: Finished the regular season on a 20-game scoreless streak, spanning 21.1 innings.
For starters, he threw more sliders than fastballs after joining the Padres:
It was a slow process, but fueled his strong finish, highlighted above. Here were his splits by pitch with San Diego:
Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/ilmK1/1/
He is a dominant force during high-leverage events and if Robert Suarez invokes his opt-out and Miller does not get stretched out for a rotation spot next spring, Miller will be the first reliever taken in most drafts.
Jhoan Duran (MIN/PHI)
- 2H Results: 2-2 record, 17 saves in 20 opportunities, 26.2 IP, 31:3 K:BB, 1.049 WHIP
- Notable: Notched 16 of these saves with the Phillies.
If Miller is the first reliever taken, Duran will not be far behind. An improved team concept and a secure role in the ninth inning will put an end to the team’s “floating closer” concept from years past. There were slight tweaks in his pitch usage after joining the Phillies:
Here are his pitch splits by team this season:
Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/WF8Kz/1/
With health, 40 saves and 90-plus strikeouts could be in store next year.
SwStr% Gainers
Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/d35fE/1/
Relievers of Interest
Garrett Whitlock (BOS)
- 2H Results: 2-2, 13 holds, 26.2 IP, 34:5 K:BB, 0.899 WHIIP
- Notable: Ended 2025 on a 13-game scoreless streak, during which he recorded 22 strikeouts versus two walks across 14.1 innings.
As the year progressed, Whitlock’s outings became more streamlined. He recorded more than three outs in 14 contests during the first half, but only worked extended outings in four games after the All-Star break. This helped his whiff rates rise, along with slight adjustments to his arsenal:
He ramped up his change-up during the second half, yielding the following splits by half-season:
Second Half 2025
- Sinker: 46.2 percent usage, 20.7 swinging strike percentage, 33.6 percent whiff rate
- Slider: 36.3 percent usage, 21.2 swinging strike percentage, 36.2 percent whiff rate
- Change-up: 21.2 percent usage, 21.3 swinging strike percentage, 32.7 percent whiff rate
First Half 2025
- Sinker: 47.6 percent usage, 14.4 swinging strike percentage, 29.6 percent whiff rate
- Slider: 26.4 percent usage, 17.9 swinging strike percentage, 38 percent whiff rate
- Change-up: 20.7 percent usage, 16.9 swinging strike percentage, 30.8 percent whiff rate
Plan on his second half patterns persisting in the postseason and next year. He remains a alluring target for those in SOLDS formats or draft and hold leagues.
Devin Williams (NYY)
- 2H Results: 1-3 record, five saves in eight opportunities, eighth holds, 26.2 IP, 44:11 K:BB, 1.161 WHIP
- Notable: Finished the regular season on a nine-game scoreless streak, recording 12 strikeouts verus two walks while posting a 0.556 WHIP.
There will not be a varied arsenal chart for the reliever, though Statcast did credit him with two cutters during the second half. I found this video by Trevor May very interesting about Williams, which may be a key toward a bounce back in 2026. Where he signs will directly impact his fantasy status coming off a down year.
For our purposes, his splits by half-season:
Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/cyjIx/1/
Through 241 appearances with the Brewers, he owned a 1.023 WHIP with 375 strikeouts versus 112 walks across 235.2 innings. Steamer will foretell a rebound, if he’s near these numbers, 30-plus saves could be in the offing, but it’s highly unlikely he will be back with the Yankees.
Closer Monkey Emails for 2025
This year, the daily emails have changed. 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.
Thanks for being part of the Closer Monkey community. Stay safe, and be well.
Statistical Credits:
