Top 5 Relief Pitchers to Draft in Fantasy Baseball for 2025
Locking in an elite closer is key to winning your fantasy league. Here are the top 5 relief pitchers to target for saves, strikeouts, and dominant ratios.
Fantasy baseball drafts are already ongoing for the early birds, and securing a dominant closer can give your team a huge advantage.
Reliable relievers provide saves, strikeouts, and some elite ratios which make them ever-important in fantasy leagues. If you're looking to lock down your bullpen, which you should, here are the top 5 relief pitchers to keep an eye on in 2025.
| Rank | Player | Team | Saves | ERA | Strikeouts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emmanuel Clase | Guardians | 47 | 0.61 | 66 |
| 2 | Devin Williams | Yankees | 14 | 1.25 | 38 |
| 3 | Josh Hader | Astros | 34 | 3.80 | 105 |
| 4 | Edwin Díaz | Mets | 20 | 3.52 | 84 |
| 5 | Mason Miller | Athletics | 28 | 2.49 | 104 |
1. Emmanuel Clase (Cleveland Guardians)
Clase remains one of the most dominant closers in baseball. In fact, he was in the AL Cy Young discussion for a while despite only closing out games.
In 2024, he posted an insane 0.61 ERA with 47 saves, ranking just 2nd in the league. His 0.66 WHIP made him nearly untouchable when he took the mound, and he struck out 66 batters over 74.1 innings. That’s some of the most consistency we’ve seen from any position.
Clase’s elite control and ability to limit baserunners make him the best fantasy closer. He’s been consistent year after year, and he should continue shutting down games for Cleveland in 2025.
If you want the best reliever in fantasy, Clase is the pick. He’s dominant on the mound and will go pretty quickly once relievers start getting drafted.
2. Devin Williams (New York Yankees)
Williams, one of the top relief pitchers in 2024 is heading to the Yankees after being acquired in a trade with the Brewers, and there’s no doubt that he’ll take over as the team’s primary closer.
Despite dealing with a back injury in 2024, he was absolutely dominant when healthy. He finished with a 1.25 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP over just 22 appearances. His strikeout ability is nothing less than elite, which is fueled by his devastating "Airbender" changeup.
The move to New York should give him some more save opportunities, and for the most part, make him an even better fantasy asset. If he stays healthy, which we don’t see why he wouldn’t, Williams has the potential to be the most valuable reliever in the game. He could be a real contender against Clase.
3. Josh Hader (Houston Astros)
Hader continues to be one of the most reliable closers in baseball as well.
Last season he recorded 34 saves with a 3.80 ERA and 105 strikeouts over 71 innings. While his ERA wasn’t as dominant as in some of his previous years, his 0.96 WHIP and strikeout totals kept him among the best relievers in the game.
Hader’s experience and strikeout ability make him an excellent fantasy option for fantasy managers looking to get some K’s on the board. The Astros should provide him with plenty of save opportunities, keeping his fantasy value high.
4. Edwin Díaz (New York Mets)
Díaz had a solid 2024 season, finishing with 20 saves, a 3.52 ERA, and 84 strikeouts in 53.2 innings.
While his numbers weren’t as dominant as they were in some of his previous years, he still has elite strikeout potential. Projections for 2025 expect him to get at least 36 saves and over 12 strikeouts per 9 innings. He has the potential and the team to do that.
Something unique about Díaz is that he also has the added motivation of an upcoming opt-out clause. This is a side of fantasy that doesn’t get enough attention, but it could push him to perform at an elite level. If he returns to his peak form, he could be one of the best closers in fantasy making you wish you would’ve drafted him.
5. Mason Miller (Oakland Athletics)
Miller was one of the most exciting young closers in 2024 despite being on one of the worst teams in the league. He recorded 28 saves with a 2.49 ERA and 104 strikeouts in 65 innings which goes to show that he was putting in the effort.
His 0.88 WHIP and high-velocity fastball make him a nightmare for hitters. Sources say he spent the offseason working on his slider to reduce home runs, which could make him even more dominant in 2025. For pitchers, it’s all about the tools you have in your toolbox.
The Athletics have confirmed Miller will remain their closer which will give him a stable and consistent role.
If you’re looking for a high-upside reliever who can rack up some K’s, Miller is a great late-round pick.
Get Your Fantasy Bullpen Ready
Despite not getting the attention that some of the other positions get, relief pitchers can make or break your fantasy team, and these 5 are the best options heading into 2025.
Clase is easily the top pick with his elite ERA and saves total. Williams should have no problem thriving as the Yankees' new closer, while Hader remains a proven veteran who can get the job done every night. Díaz has some bounce-back potential, and Miller is a rising star with a high strikeout upside.
As spring training is now underway, keep an eye on bullpen roles and health updates. We always recommend drafting later in spring training to see how some of the players are doing, but if last season is any indicator, these are the best in the league.
