Catching up with the recent news cycles, there have been numerous alterations to bullpen hierarchies in the American League. As of February 28, roles may change, but here are our updated outlooks for the upcoming season.
Projected Hierarchy: Ryan Helsley | Andrew Kittredge | Keegan Akin
After adding Helsley as a stabilizing force at the backend of the bullpen, he and teammate Yennier Cano are incorporating a split-fingered fastball into their arsenals. In his first outing this spring
If this helps him against left-handed hitters in 2026, it will benefit his ratio statistics.
Projected Hierarchy: Aroldis Chapman | Garrett Whitlock | Justin Slaten
Repeating his results from last year may not be possible, but Chapman has reinvented himself since the second half of 2024, and remains a stable source of saves in a landscape where its harder to find them.
Projected Hierarchy: Seranthony Domínguez | Grant Taylor | Jordan Leasure
Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/vhfhO/2/
Fantasy players hope Domínguez can command his pitches during save situations. His split-fingered fastball helps, but his splits against left-handed hitters should be monitored closely. Those seeking strikeout upside with ancillary saves on the side should focus on Taylor. If he comes close to 100 innings this year, he could record 110-plus strikeouts.
Projected Hierarchy: Cade Smith | Hunter Gaddis | Shawn Armstrong
It will not be easy replacing Emmanuel Clase, but Smith was up to the task last year. His strikeout totals accompany his streakiness, so be patient if he has consecutive rough outings.
Projected Hierarchy: Kenley Jansen | Will Vest | Kyle Finnegan
Hinch remains adamant there are no roles in the bullpen, which leaves save distribution open to interpretation. Jansen should lead the team in them, but he may not be the designated closer fantasy managers crave.
Projected Hierarchy: Bryan Abreu | Bryan King | Kai-Wei Teng
This signals an alarm, and it’s not an overreaction at this point. As of February 26, Josh Hader has not completed a bullpen at spring training, which puts his Opening Day status in jeopardy. With health, he will be closing games for the Astros. How long and how many remain the questions for determining his fantasy floor and ceiling.
Projected Hierarchy: Carlos Estévez | Lucas Erceg | Matt Strahm
Statcast has identified his pitches predominantly as change-ups because of the precipitous drop in velocity. However, Brooks Baseball has the following distribution for his first 38 pitches this spring:
With these velocities, compared with 2025 for reference:
He has faced 10 batters this spring and served up three home runs. He gave up five dingers all of last year, and Kaufmann Field has moved in the fences for the upcoming season. Are you feeling lucky? If yes, take him at his inflated price point. Otherwise, he’s a fade in my estimation.
Projected Hierarchy: *Kirby Yates | *Drew Pomeranz | *Jordan Romano
*= closer-by-committee
This competition should heat up as Opening Day nears. Robert Stephenson and Ben Joyce may be ready by the start of the season, but beat writers insist they will not rush either leverage reliever. This puts the leverage triumvirate listed above as the match-up-based options if necessary. Those taking the long view or with injured-reserve spots in their leagues should lean toward Joyce.
Projected Hierarchy: *Justin Topa | *Taylor Rogers | *Cole Sands
*= closer-by-committee
It’s with zero confidence that the relievers above may be called upon for save chances in April. Non-roster invitee Dan Altavilla may be a factor early on if his strong spring continues. He has worked with new bullpen coach LaTroy Hawkins in the past. Anthony Banda could usurp Rogers as the highest-leveraged left-handed reliever. There was hope that David Festa could transition into the bullpen, but he will miss several weeks with a shoulder impingement. This leverage ladder may be a source of frustration and rough ratios this year, making it worth avoiding if possible.
Projected Hierarchy: David Bednar | Camilo Doval | Fernando Cruz
Finishing last year strong, Bednar opens as the Yankees’ closer on the precipice of free agency. He will be motivated. However, can this bullpen consistently get him the baseball with a lead in the ninth inning? If not, prospect Carlos Lagrange may be forced into a leverage role like Dellin Betances was previously for this organization.
Projected Hierarchy: Andrés Muñoz | Matt Brash | Jose A. Ferrer
Perhaps Muñoz did not appreciate our questioning his velocity trends from last season. In his second outing this spring on February 25, he hit triple digits with his four-seam fastball:
If he remains healthy, he’s a reliable reliever. Monitor his velocity splits during the upcoming season.
Projected Hierarchy: *Griffin Jax | *Garrett Cleavinger | *Bryan Baker
*= closer-by-committee
Remember playing Rays’ reliever roulette during the first two full seasons after COVID? I do. For those who forgot:
In 2022, five relievers had at least five saves, but none reached 10. If this repeats in 2026, there will be plenty of frustrated fantasy players who are targeting Jax as the closer. As for Edwin Uceta, he received positive news regarding his “cranky” shoulder, but is trending toward not being ready for Opening Day, putting Baker into the adjusted hierarchy.
Projected Hierarchy: *Robert Garcia | *Chris Martin | *Alexis Díaz
*= closer-by-committee
Sorting through the myriad of relievers at camp will be a difficult task for first-year manager Skip Schumaker. How roles evolve will depend on health and performance. Wild cards include Rule 5 pick Carter Baumler and Emiliano Teodo for the upcoming season. Save opportunities may change hands often early on.
Projected Hierarchy: *Mark Leiter Jr. | *Hogan Harris | *Justin Sterner
*= closer-by-committee
The team went 28 – 23 (.549) from August 1 until the end of 2025 after trading Mason Miller. In one-run games, they were 7 – 6 (.538), but in games decided by two runs or fewer, they were 8 – 9 (.471). In this timeframe, the team recorded 10 saves, dispersed as follows:
- Hogan Harris (4)
- Michael Kelly and Sean Newcomb (2)
- Osvaldo Bido and Tyler Ferguson (1)
Of the ten saves, four required four or more outs, including two by Harris. Even though Justin Sterner did not record a save over the last two months in 2025, he led the team in K-BB percentage (29.9) while posting a 16.3 percent swinging strike rate. He, Harris, and Leiter Jr. project as the high-leverage triumvirate, but the team hopes a reliable option emerges during spring contests.
Projected Hierarchy: Jeff Hoffman | Tyler Rogers | Louis Varland
No one goes into their draft hoping they get Hoffman, but if he remains in the third tier of closers, he could finish in the top 10 with regression toward past results. If the home run issues persist, the team may be aggressive at the trade deadline.
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