X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Bullpen Arms To Target In 2024 Fantasy Baseball Drafts - Closers and Relief Pitchers

edwin diaz fantasy baseball rankings draft sleepers closers saves

Which bullpen arms should you target in 2024 fantasy baseball drafts? Joey Pollizze analyzes seven relief pitchers that you need to draft this season.

Fantasy baseball drafts are right around the corner, and it's never too early to start prepping for your league. In the early rounds, position players and starting pitchers get the most love because they have the most value in both points and roto leagues.

But relief pitchers are just as important in the middle to late rounds. If you're in a roto league, bullpen arms are key for saves, ERA, and WHIP. Even in points leagues, you'll need to fill out your roster with relief pitchers who can rack up saves on a nightly basis.

Here are the seven bullpen arms to target in fantasy baseball drafts this year. Some of these pitchers are going semi-early while others are going much later but provide extremely nice value. So, let's dive in and see who makes the list.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and resources:

 

Josh Hader, Houston Astros (Average ADP: 59.6)

Spending a high draft pick on a bullpen arm can always be tricky, especially when solid position players are still on the board. But Houston Astros closer Josh Hader is someone to target early in drafts. His average ADP is early at 59.6. So if you want the five-time All-Star, you will have to spend up, which is something I am willing to do in a roto league -- when saves and ERA are premium for pitchers.

Not only did Hader have a bounce-back year on the mound with a 1.28 ERA and 33 saves, but he also joined an Astros team this offseason that will feature plenty of save opportunities. Houston has won at least 95 games in five of the past six seasons (excluding the shortened 2020 season. As for the three-time Hoffman Award winner, he has totaled over 32 saves in four straight full seasons and has 152 saves since 2019, most in the MLB.

Hader will see plenty of chances to close out games for the Astros this year, and that's why he is someone to target early in drafts. His ADP might be a bit too early in points leagues, where players like Nico Hoerner, Kyle Schwarber, and Paul Goldschmidt are likely still on the board. However, his ADP on ESPN is 80, which could be a strong spot for him in points formats.
 

Edwin Diaz, New York Mets (Average ADP: 65.4)

If you miss out on Hader or want to double up on top closers, targeting New York Mets pitcher Edwin Diaz could be a strong selection. Diaz missed the entire 2023 season with a right knee injury, so the right hander might be coming into the year slightly undervalued. But he's a player that will contribute in several categories at a high rate.

The last time we saw Diaz in 2022, he was coming off his best campaign. He finished with a 1.31 ERA, 118 strikeouts, and 32 saves across 62 innings pitched. The flame-throwing 29-year-old also only gave up nine runs the entire year to go with an absurd 17.1 K/9. That helped him finish ninth in the American League Cy Young voting.

Taking Diaz at a premium will sacrifice other positions, but he can contribute in several different areas, including saves, ERA, WHIP, and strikeouts. The right hander has a career 14.8 K/9 and has totaled over 95 strikeouts in three of the past four full seasons. He is also fully healthy coming into 2024, so there should be no concern about his availability to close out games for the Mets on a nightly basis.
 

Jordan Romano, Toronto Blue Jays (Average ADP: 87.8)

When looking for bullpen arms to fill your roster, taking closers who play for good teams could be a solid recipe for success. There will surely be more opportunities for them to earn saves. A relief pitcher like Jordan Romano of the Toronto Blue Jays perfectly fits that bill.

The Blue Jays have won at least 89 games in three straight seasons, which has boosted Romano's fantasy value in all formats. The 30-year-old right hander has 95 saves over those past three years, including 36 saves each in of the last two seasons. During that span, he has been a consistent bullpen arm in Toronto. Since 2021, he has a 2.37 ERA with 230 strikeouts and a 1.091 WHIP across 186 IP. The veteran has also been selected to the All-Star game in back-to-back years. 

Romano had a down year in 2023 -- compared to his 2021 and 2022 seasons. But he still had a respectable 2.90 ERA with 36 saves and 72 strikeouts across 59 IP last season. A better ERA should be in store in 2024, as opposing hitters are only hitting .199 against him over his career. The Toronto native plays for a team that should be competitive this year, which should lead to plenty of save chances.
 

Clay Holmes, New York Yankees (Average ADP: 136.8)

New York Yankees relief pitcher Clay Holmes was a nice late-round option in fantasy drafts last year. He made an All-Star appearance in 2022 behind a 20-save, 2.54 ERA season. Despite an up-and-down year in 2023, he's a bullpen arm to target again in the later rounds of fantasy drafts.

It wasn't the perfect season for Holmes, who got off to a slow start in 2023. He had a 6.30 ERA and two blown saves through his first 12 appearances out of the bullpen. As a result, the Yankees decided to make a switch early in May to momentarily relieve the right hander of his closer duties. He eventually got his job back and ended the year strong. In his last 13 appearances, he had a 0.69 ERA with eight saves.

That should give fantasy managers enough confidence to draft him in the later rounds. He won't put up the numbers like some of the closers who were featured earlier on this list. But he can produce 20-25 saves with an ERA under three. Over the past two years, Holmes has totaled 44 saves (24 last year) with a 2.70 ERA and 136 strikeouts. He will be the Yankees closer in 2024, and that should be enough to make him a nice selection in the double-digit rounds.

 

Craig Kimbrel, Baltimore Orioles (Average ADP: 149.0)

Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel is one of my favorite sleepers in the later rounds. With Felix Bautista (elbow) likely out for the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery late last season, Kimbrel is set to take over the Orioles' closer role in 2024. That is huge for a team that will be one of the best in the AL this year.

Bautista has been a workhorse for Baltimore's bullpen over the past two years, which included 126.2 IP during that span. Just last year, he totaled 33 saves. With him out of the picture, Kimbrel should be in a great spot to overtake most of that work for the Orioles this season.

Kimbrel was solid for the Phillies last year and finished with a 3.26 ERA, 23 saves, and 94 strikeouts across 69 innings. Despite entering his 15th MLB season, the veteran has shown no signs of slowing down. His 71 games pitched in 2023 were the second most of his career. The workload will be there for him in Baltimore, and that should help his production on an Orioles team that just won 101 games.
 

Kenley Jansen, Boston Red Sox (Average ADP: 157.8)

Another veteran and AL East closer makes the list in Kenley Jansen of the Boston Red Sox. Jansen dealt with some injuries toward the end of the season, but it was still a somewhat successful 2023 season for the four-time All-Star. He had a 3.63 ERA with 29 saves across 44.2 IP.

Jansen's ERA has taken a hit in recent years, which doesn't make him as appealing as some of the other options on this list. He has finished with over a 3.30 ERA in four of the past five seasons. But the saves will always be there for the 36-year-old -- even on a Red Sox team that might not be the best in 2024.

Jansen has the second-most saves since 2019 (151) and was on pace to finish with over 32 saves in 2023. However, the Red Sox shut him down at the end of the season. If the veteran can stay healthy this year, he'll be a reliable fantasy option later in your draft because he's someone who can provide solid saves and strikeout numbers.
 

Adbert Alzolay, Chicago Cubs (Average ADP: 165.2)

The last bullpen arm to target in fantasy drafts this season is Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Adbert Alzolay. Alzolay was once a starter for the Cubs, but after missing almost the entire 2022 season, Chicago decided to stick him in the bullpen. The right hander eventually earned the closing duty and did a fantastic job in that role last year. 

Alzolay finished the 2023 season with a 2.67 ERA, 22 saves, 67 strikeouts, and 13 walks across 64 IP. The right hander dealt with some injuries toward the end of the year, which limited his end-of-season production, especially in the fantasy playoffs. However, he should be in line to be the Cubs closer once again in 2024.

Chicago hasn't added another closer this offseason, so Alzolay is certainly the favorite to regain that role this upcoming season. The 28-year-old also had a 1.016 WHIP last season, which should certainly help in roto leagues. With the Cubs pitcher entering his second season as the closer, he should be more familiar in that role in 2024. He is going so late in fantasy drafts this year that he is surely worth a shot after a solid 2023 season.



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy baseball app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, sleepers, prospects & more. All free!



More Fantasy Baseball Advice




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

José Castillo7 mins ago

Jose Castillo Makes Season Debut
Jordan Wicks17 mins ago

Optioned To Triple-A
Termarr Johnson25 mins ago

Tallies Two Hits In Return
Zach Dezenzo31 mins ago

Busy In Monday's Victory
Craig Yoho39 mins ago

Allows One Run In MLB Debut
Jackson Chourio1 hour ago

Singles In Loss To Giants
Caleb Durbin1 hour ago

Homers In Loss Monday
Edwin Díaz1 hour ago

Edwin Diaz Earns Save On Monday
Will Vest2 hours ago

Picks Up Save On Monday
Justin Slaten2 hours ago

Picks Up Save On Monday
Otto Lopez2 hours ago

Steals Two Bases Monday
Austin Riley2 hours ago

Drives In Two On Monday
Bryson Stott2 hours ago

Hits Three-Run HR On Monday
José Ramírez2 hours ago

Jose Ramirez Homers, Drives In Four On Monday
Spencer Schwellenbach2 hours ago

Notches Quality Start Vs. Cardinals
Camilo Doval5 hours ago

Earns Third Save
Hunter Brown5 hours ago

Hurls Gem Monday
Francisco Lindor5 hours ago

Launches Two Big Flies On Monday
Sean Murphy5 hours ago

Blasts Three-Run Homer
Agustín Ramírez6 hours ago

Agustin Ramirez Notches Two Hits In MLB Debut
Kyle Manzardo6 hours ago

Stays Hot With Homer In Third Consecutive Game
Tennessee Titans7 hours ago

Titans Have Turned Down Offers For No. 1 Overall Pick
8 hours ago

Saints Targeting Jaxson Dart?
Kirk Cousins8 hours ago

Falcons Have Had Trade Discussions Regarding Kirk Cousins
Atlanta Falcons8 hours ago

Falcons Could Take A Tight End On Day 2 Of The Draft
8 hours ago

Steelers Very Interested In Jaxson Dart, Shedeur Sanders
Sam Howell8 hours ago

Seahawks Open To Trading Sam Howell
Las Vegas Raiders8 hours ago

Raiders Not Afraid To Take A Running Back Early In The Draft
NFL9 hours ago

Shavon Revel Expected Back Around The Start Of Training Camp
Aaron Gordon10 hours ago

Cleared For Action
NFL11 hours ago

Josh Simmons May Not Be Cleared Until August
NFL11 hours ago

Jihaad Campbell A Candidate To Start On PUP List
NFL11 hours ago

Mykel Williams Still Hampered By Ankle Injury
NFL11 hours ago

Will Johnson Could Fall In Draft Due To Knee Injury
12 hours ago

Shedeur Sanders Could Fall Out Of First Round
12 hours ago

Cam Skattebo Visiting With Lions, Titans
Dallas Cowboys12 hours ago

Cowboys Expected To Pick Up Tyler Smith's Fifth-Year Option
Philadelphia Eagles12 hours ago

Cam Jurgens, Eagles Agree On Four-Year Extension
C.J. Stroud12 hours ago

Expects To Be "Running The Show" In New Offense
J.J. McCarthy12 hours ago

"No Limitations" For J.J. McCarthy
San Francisco 49ers13 hours ago

Fred Warner Could Stay Away From Offseason Program
Ousmane Dieng13 hours ago

Still Out On Tuesday
George Kittle13 hours ago

May Not Take Part In Offseason Workouts
Kevin Love13 hours ago

Remains Away From Team
Brock Purdy13 hours ago

Might Not Participate In Voluntary Workouts
Terry Rozier13 hours ago

Hurts Ankle Monday
Damian Lillard13 hours ago

Officially Listed As Questionable For Game 2
Isaiah Stewart13 hours ago

Ruled Out For Game 2 Against Knicks
Trent Frederic13 hours ago

A Game-Time Call Monday
Leon Draisaitl14 hours ago

Returns To Oilers Lineup For Postseason Opener
Jake Walman14 hours ago

Available For Game 1
Brett Kulak14 hours ago

Ready To Play Monday
Aliaksei Protas14 hours ago

Expected To Return During First-Round Series
Miro Heiskanen14 hours ago

Out On Monday
Ross Colton14 hours ago

Uncertain For Game 2
Gabriel Landeskog14 hours ago

Activated From Injured Reserve
Auston Matthews22 hours ago

Finishes Game 1 With Two Assists
Mitchell Marner23 hours ago

Totals Three Points In Postseason Opener
Matt Boldy23 hours ago

Bags Two Goals In Losing Effort
Brett Howden23 hours ago

Scores Twice In Sunday's Win
Logan Stankoven23 hours ago

Nets Two Goals In Game 1 Victory
Brenden Dillon23 hours ago

Makes Early Exit Sunday
Cody Glass23 hours ago

Injured In Game 1 Loss
Isaiah Stewart2 days ago

Iffy For Monday Night
Aaron Gordon2 days ago

Listed As Probable For Game 2
Gabriel Vilardi2 days ago

To Remain Out For Game 2
Logan Thompson2 days ago

Could Be An Option Monday
Martin Fehérváry2 days ago

Martin Fehervary Iffy For Game 1
Tanner Jeannot2 days ago

Remains Week-To-Week, Out For Game 1
Zeev Buium2 days ago

Makes NHL Debut In Playoff Opener
Anthony Stolarz2 days ago

Makes First Career Postseason Start
Jaylen Brown3 days ago

Not Expected To Be Limited On Sunday
Ja Morant3 days ago

Cleared To Play Friday
Brandon Williams3 days ago

Available Against Grizzlies
Anthony Davis3 days ago

Will Play Friday Night
Gary Trent Jr.3 days ago

Available For Game 1 Against Pacers
Taurean Prince3 days ago

Returns To Bucks Lineup Saturday
Isaiah Stewart3 days ago

To Return For Game 1
Ausar Thompson3 days ago

Available For Game 1
Rui Hachimura3 days ago

On Track To Play Saturday
Austin Reaves3 days ago

Ready To Go For Game 1
Luka Dončić3 days ago

Luka Doncic Removed From Injury Report
LeBron James3 days ago

Listed As Probable For Game 1
Ben Sheppard3 days ago

Probable For Saturday's Game 1
Ryan Blaney5 days ago

Bold Strategies Fall Flat, Still Musters A Top-Five Finish At Bristol
Lucas Glover5 days ago

Looks To Rebound After Poor Performance
Daniel Berger6 days ago

Looking To Continue Solid Play At RBC
Sepp Straka6 days ago

Looking To Bounce Back At RBC
Justin Thomas6 days ago

Looking To Shake Off Poor Masters At RBC Heritage
Xander Schauffele6 days ago

Still Looking For Year's First Win At RBC Heritage
Austin Dillon6 days ago

Nabs His First Top-10 Finish Of The 2025 Season At Bristol
Maverick McNealy6 days ago

Is An Intriguing Play At RBC Heritage
Shane Lowry6 days ago

Looks To Shake Off Poor Masters Sunday At RBC Heritage
Will Zalatoris6 days ago

Eyes A Bounce-Back At RBC Heritage
Gary Woodland6 days ago

Could Add Some Surprise At Hilton Head
Sam Burns6 days ago

Hoping For Better Times At RBC Heritage
Sahith Theegala6 days ago

Still Trying To Put It All Together
Aaron Rai6 days ago

Might Be That Guy For Hilton Head
Robert MacIntyre6 days ago

All Or Nothing At RBC Heritage
Tom Hoge6 days ago

Still Playing Solid Heading To Hilton Head
Nick Dunlap6 days ago

Continues To Have Rough Stretch
Keegan Bradley6 days ago

Looks To Move On From Masters Performance
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF