With just a few weeks left in the fantasy baseball season there are several fantasy baseball closers who have unexpectedly found their way into the upper tier of the MLB closers rankings. Padres closer Mason Miller and Astros closer Josh Hader being among the elite tier of our MLB closers rankings should come as no surprise but very few expected Blue Jays closer Louis Varland and Rays closer Bryan Baker to dominate opposing batters the way they have this season.

Jacob Latz, Yoendrys Gomez and even Kodai Senga have also seemingly come out of nowhere to climb and establish themselves on the MLB closers rankings this season. They have been among MLB’s best closers this season and it will be interesting to note how much their 2026 breakouts will impact early 2027 fantasy baseball closer ADP rankings.

As usual, we’ve revised our fantasy baseball closer grid with updates based on recent late inning high leverage reliever developments and will continue to tweak MLB closers rankings, but keep in mind that the grid is just one of Fantasy Alarm’s great resources that can help you win your fantasy baseball league. Check out James Grande’s weekly Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire column with new articles dropping every Sunday. For the latest in our video content, which is also updated daily, visit the Fantasy Alarm You Tube Channel.

In the meantime, we still have lots of closer and late inning high leverage reliever related news to cover in this week’s bullpen report so please enjoy!

 

Saves Leaders Over The Past Week

Pirates closer Mason Montgomery certainly has emerged as a fantasy baseball closer who will be highly sought after in 2027 fantasy baseball drafts. He led all closers with five saves last week. Heading into Friday’s action he has logged 19.1 consecutive scoreless innings, and he has struck out 30 batters while walking just four during that time frame.

Four other relievers who are among this seasons MLB’s best closers converted three saves last week including Red Sox closer Aroldis Chapman, Astros closer Josh Hader, Braves closer Raisel Iglesias and Mariners closer Andres Munoz.

Seven other relievers secured two saves last week including Hogan Harris. Harris is part of a closer committee for the A’s and has been pitching well of late. Over his last nine appearances spanning nine IP, Harris has a 1.00 ERA, and he has struck out 11 batters. His three saves and three holds during that time span make him a good potential waiver wire add in SOLDS leagues.  

The previously mentioned Rays closer Bryan Baker tops the MLB closers rankings and leads all relievers with 39 saves this season. Cardinals closer Riley O’Brien, who has struggled a bit recently, is next up with 36 saves. Guardians closer Cade Smith is right behind him with 35 saves, the third-most in baseball.

 

 

 

Holds Leaders Over The Past Week

Luke Weaver, Luis Medina and Brent Headrick each recorded three holds last week. Weaver has been a bit inconsistent since being traded to the Pirates from the Mets but remains a good source of holds for the rest of the season. Medina has largely been used in a setup role in a fluid A’s bullpen that has become increasingly effective as the season has progressed. Medina has a 1.00 ERA, five holds and he has struck out 15 batters in his last eight appearances spanning nine IP. Headrick has been among MLB’s best setup men this season for the Yankees. He’s recorded 27 holds and a 1.86 ERA this season.

Blue Jays setup man Tyler Rogers moved ahead of Braves setup man Dylan Lee for the major league lead in holds this season. Rogers has 31 holds this season and Lee has 30. Rays reliever Kevin Kelly also has 30 holds, which is the second most in baseball this season. Guardians reliever Hunter Gaddis has 28 holds this season, which is the third most in baseball. 

 

Relievers And Bullpens To Take Note Of

Nate Pearson has been sharing closer duties with Steven Cruz for the Royals lately and has been picking up steam as the season progresses. He has a 0.39 ERA, three saves, five holds and has struck out 21 batters in his last 23 IP. Pearson’s control has been somewhat of an issue, as he has issued 10 walks in those 23 innings. However, with the Royals’ bullpen in flux all season his emergence as a reliable late inning high leverage reliever could lead to him having a prominent role as a potential closer in 2027.

The Cubs may be having some issues with finding a reliable arm to close out games for them right now, but Aaron Civale has been doing a very good job holding onto leads in the middle of games for the Cubbies. Since being traded to the Cubs from the A’s he’s flourished in a long relief role. In 28.1 IP for the Cubs Civale a 1.27 ERA and has struck out 29 batters. He’s even managed to pick up a win and two saves during that time frame.

At the start of the season who would have thought that Kodai Senga would be included in our MLB closers rankings? The Mets, who are playing out the string at this point, can’t possibly remove him as their closer if/when Devin Williams is ready to come off the IL. Despite giving up six walks in his last 13.1 IP, Senga has been able to convert all seven of his save opportunities while striking out 15 batters. Part of Senga’s success has been his increased ability to induce ground balls. For the season his ground ball rate is 29.6 but in his last 14 games his ground ball rate has risen to 35.5. If you need help in the saves category and Senga is available on your league’s waiver wire, snatch him up!