Injuries, inconsistency, and the all-around volatility of the position make it tough to handicap. Just think back to this time last year – would you have ever expected Seung Hwan Oh and not Trevor Rosenthal to be on this list? Moreover, would you have ever expected Oh to be a top-10 closer, maybe even top-five, on many big boards?
And that’s just the way it is with relievers. You can try to avoid injury risks, but, really, they’re all injury risks. You can try to avoid the unproven guys, but that might mean you’re missing out on the best values. You can try to load up on middle relievers late instead of jumping into the fray early, but you might never be able to recover in the saves category.
Please note that we put the 30 players we currently project to open the season as closers first in our rankings, but things could change in a hurry with those players, so expect plenty of updates throughout the spring. Also, pitchers who are RP-eligible but not expected to work in relief are not ranked below.
MORE RANKINGS:Catcher | First | Second | Third | Shortstop | Outfield | Starter
Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Closers
Kenley Jansen, Dodgers Aroldis Chapman, Yankees Zach Britton, Orioles Wade Davis, Cubs Craig Kimbrel, Red Sox Ken Giles, Astros Mark Melancon, Giants Roberto Osuna, Blue Jays Cody Allen, Indians Edwin Diaz, Mariners Seung Hwan Oh, Cardinals Alex Colome, Rays Kelvin Herrera, Royals A. J. Ramos, Marlins David Robertson, White Sox Jeurys Familia^, Mets Francisco Rodriguez, Tigers Jim Johnson, Braves Raisel Iglesias*, Reds Cam Bedrosian*, Angels Tony Watson*, Pirates Sam Dyson, Rangers Neftali Feliz, Brewers Brandon Maurer, Padres Blake Treinen, Nationals Fernando Rodney, D-backs Jeanmar Gomez, Phillies Brandon Kintzler, Twins Greg Holland*, Rockies Ryan Madson, A’s
Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Middle relievers
Andrew Miller, Indians Dellin Betances, Yankees Addison Reed, Mets Shawn Kelley, Nationals Adam Ottavino*, Rockies Huston Street*, Angels Kyle Barraclough, Marlins Darren O’Day, Orioles Carl Edwards Jr. , Cubs Matt Bush, Rangers Hector Neris, Phillies Will Harris, Astros Nate Jones, White Sox Derek Law, Giants Brad Brach, Orioles Chris Devenski, Astros Grant Dayton, Dodgers Matt Strahm, Royals Brad Hand, Padres David Phelps, Marlins Ryan Dull, A’s Koda Glover, Nationals Carter Capps, Padres Pedro Strop, Cubs Sean Doolittle, A’s Santiago Casilla, A’s Sergio Romo, Dodgers Tyler Thornburg, Red Sox Hector Rondon, Cubs Koji Uehara, Cubs Joaquin Benoit, Phillies Hunter Strickland, Giants Ryan Buchter, Padres Drew Storen*, Reds Daniel Hudson*, Pirates
^ Facing a 15-game suspension * Considered to be in competition for closer’s job
MORE 2017 RANKINGS:Catcher | First | Second | Third | Shortstop | Outfield | Starter
Fantasy Baseball Draft Strategy: Closers
There’s no perfect way to draft this position. Jumping in early for Aroldis Chapman or Kenley Jansen is often looked down upon, but getting lights-out closers who strike out that many batters gives you a big advantage at the RP position. As long as you don’t go crazy (i.e. the first four rounds), you won’t be sorry you drafted one of those players.
From there, it’s all about knowing your surroundings. In some drafts, the closer run(s) start early; in others, it’s amazing how late good RPs are available. And they could go in any order. Our rankings below give a little more love to guys who have done it for a full season or more (Wade Davis, Craig Kimbrel), but others look at their warts (injury for Davis, declining numbers for Kimbrel) and have guys like Oh and Edwin Diaz ranked ahead of them. As a result, you could see Diaz go in the seventh round of one draft or the 11th round of another. Guys like Kelvin Herrera, Alex Colome, and Raisel Iglesias (assuming he closes) are other RPs with huge upsides but relatively short track records as closers.
MORE: Top 50 prospects | 2017 Fantasy Alarm Draft Guide
What makes this year’s closer rankings interesting is that, while the bottom third “closers” are big gambles, arguably the top two relievers in baseball (at least two of the top five) aren’t going to be closing to open the season. That raises the question – should you draft Andrew Miller or Dellin Betances ahead of, say, Sam Dyson? They’re going to have more overall value, but if they’re not getting saves, then they’re not helping you in that all-important category. In weekly leagues, that’s especially risky.
The answer is probably yes, as you should be able to pick up some closers throughout the year, but it’s still tough to pull that trigger on draft day. Even if you don’t want to pay up for Betances or Miller, It’s always smart to have at least one high-K, low-WHIP middle reliever, especially one who has a legit shot at closing at some point,
