As the fantasy baseball season comes to a close, it’s time to reflect on our end-of-season MLB closer rankings so that we can prepare for the 2027 fantasy baseball season. We’ve watched several new elite closers emerge, but the one fantasy baseball closer who stands out is Pirates closer Mason Montgomery. 

Heading into Friday’s action, the last time Montgomery gave up a run was July 26th, 2026. Since then, he’s pitched 24.2 innings, struck out 37 batters while walking seven, and he’s saved 15 games. Montgomery’s addition of a hard sinker to his arsenal has been a game changer. Opposing hitters have a .143 BAA it, and while they whiff at it at a 34% rate, it’s also helped Montgomery raise his ground ball rate by just under 10% this season. We’ve moved Montgomery into the elite category of our final fantasy baseball closer grid of the season, and he’ll be highly sought after in 2027 fantasy baseball drafts. 

Elite Closers Heading Into the 2027 Season

Padres closer Mason Miller and Guardians closer Cade Smith are the incumbent gold standard when it comes to fantasy baseball closers in all league formats. They have been consistently at the top of the MLB closers rankings this season and will be close to the top of the 2027 MLB closers rankings as well.

Josh Hader, who missed the first two months of the 2026 season due to left biceps tendinitis, quickly returned to form once he was activated from the IL.

David Bednar, who will be a free agent at the end of the season, turned his season around beginning in early June. His control was much better, and he generated more swings and misses. In his last 39 games heading into the final week of the season, Bednar has struck out 46 batters and walked just seven in 44.1 IP. He has a 1.42 ERA and has saved 23 games and won six others during that time span. 

 

 

 

2026 Breakouts

Rays closer Bryan Baker and Blue Jays closer Louis Varland, who both had breakout 2026 seasons, will join Miller and Smith near the top of the 2027 MLB closer rankings. 

Baker practically eliminated his slider from his pitch mix and increased his usage of his changeup this season. His increased use of his changeup, which induces a high groundball and whiff rate, and his 97-mph fastball have helped him become one of MLB’s best closers.

Like Baker, Varland’s increased success this season could be tied to his increased use of his changeup. Varland almost quadrupled the use of his changeup compared to 2025, and his fastball has been much more effective as well. His changeup has produced a 37.5% whiff rate, and opposing hitters have a .196 BAA his four-seam fastball.

Jacob Latz developed into one of MLB’s best closers for the Rangers by increasing his use of his four-seam fastball, and as a former starting pitcher, he also has a wider array of offerings compared to other fantasy baseball closers. His changeup and curveball have dominated opposing hitters. Latz’s changeup has produced a 47.5% whiff rate and .082 BAA. Opposing hitters have a .105 BAA his curveball.

Yoendrys Gomez seems to be running out of gas as the season is concluding, but he emerged as a viable late-inning, high-leverage reliever once the Twins acquired him from the Rays in early May. The Twins gradually started using him in higher-leverage situations, and with Gomez using his sweeper more often, he eventually became a reliable ninth-inning option. In his first 55 appearances for the Twins, Gomez has saved 21 games and held seven others.

Potential Future Closers for 2027

We seasoned fantasy baseball managers know that in many cases a reliever expected to be his team’s closer on Opening Day has a good chance of losing his job, whether it’s due to injury or ineffectiveness, by the end of the season. However, there are a few relief pitchers that you should keep on your watch list heading into the 2027 season.  

Josh Ekness, Marlins

The Marlins will be looking for a new long-term closer, and Ekness fits the bill. His surface-level 2026 stats don’t tell the full picture of his potential. He has 19 career minor league saves and has struck out batters at an 11.7 K/9 rate during that time frame.

Adrian Morejon, Padres

Morejon will be a free agent at the end of the season and has been one of MLB’s top setup men. He’s a left-handed pitcher who has had good success against both right- and left-handed batters. Depending on where he signs for the 2027 season, he could end up as his new team’s closer.

Trent Harris, Giants

The Giants’ bullpen has been terrible this season, but Harris has been one of the team’s bright spots. He has exhibited good control and hasn’t allowed a home run in 21.1 IP, and Harris has 11 minor league career saves.