No lengthy intro right here. Similar as my final difficulty, I’ll recap the week in nearer information (we had a lot), rank one of the best out there guys, and observe up with just a few new pickups for holds leagues.
One fast notice: subsequent week’s column is up within the air, as I’m heading out of city this Thursday, however I’ll see if I could make a name to the bullpen of my very own.
(stats up to date via Saturday, 6/14)
Nearer Information (by crew)
ARI
Sigh.
After getting back from the IL every week prior, nearer Justin Martinez went down for the depend with a UCL sprain on Monday, and is headed for Tommy John. Fellow nearer A.J. Puk–on the IL since mid-April–could also be subsequent in line on the surgeon’s workplace, as his throwing program was paused on Friday.
This clears the best way (once more) for Shelby Miller in Arizona. I should mood expectations on Miller considerably; whereas the 1.57 ERA actually sparkles, beneath it lies a 3.66 xERA that higher suits his profile. An elite wOBA of .238 vs. an xWOBA of .312 additional signifies some regression forward.
Anyway – shut up, nerd! Miller is nonetheless one of many highest-priority pickup for saves this week, even when what comes with is extra “good” than “nice.”
ATL
The fog is clearing within the wake of Raisel Iglesias’s elimination from closing duties in Atlanta. Whereas Iglesias stays the one Seussian “Courageous with a Save” within the final month, Dylan Lee appeared to have taken over this week.
In a 7-4 recreation in opposition to the Rockies on Friday, Iglesias pitched the eighth inning. Lee was warming for a save likelihood within the backside half, however the Braves tacked on an insurance coverage run (or 5) to spoil it. In a 4-0 recreation the next day, Lee once more took the ninth, surrendering simply an unearned run whereas putting out two.
Lee’s been my best choice for hypothesis right here for a while now, and surges up my nearer rankings this week.
CHC
Not this once more.
After I backpedaled from my Ryan Pressly suggestion final week, Pressly picked up his first save in two months on Thursday in a 3-2 win over the Pirates. Newly-anointed nearer Daniel Palencia took the eighth, sending fantasy managers right into a tailspin.
Palencia remains to be the man right here, and his utilization on Thursday was solely in order that he might face the “coronary heart” (heavy air quotes there) of the Pirates’ order. In a 2-1 Cubs win on Saturday, Pressly pitched a usually mediocre seventh inning, and Palencia nabbed a save within the ninth, showing for a 3rd straight day.
Hopefully we don’t see an excessive amount of flexibility from supervisor Craig Counsell; Pressly’s reemergence shouldn’t add greater than a little bit of inconsistency for Cubs saves going ahead.
LAD
Alex Vesia notched one other save on Wednesday, and is tied with Tanner Scott at two apiece over the previous couple of weeks. It’s price noting that following a tough stretch from Scott, supervisor Dave Roberts commented in early June that the Dodgers had “no devoted nearer,” a quote I’d in some way missed till lately.
Since that assertion, Scott has rattled off just a few sturdy appearances, together with that pair of saves. He’s nonetheless far and away the best choice right here, and groups are cussed on the subject of their huge offseason acquisitions (a la Pressly). Nonetheless, Vesia is climbing the rankings, and has turn into a viable candidate for saves in deeper roto leagues.
MIA
As indicated right here final week, Calvin Faucher has totally taken over as nearer in Miami. In the event you stopped studying that sentence on the phrase “nearer,” you’re in all probability fairly fired up proper now. Faucher will not be a lot to get enthusiastic about, however he’s the least-rostered ninth-inning common in fantasy baseball. His three saves led the league this week.
PHI
Matt Strahm had the Phillies’ solely save this week. Strahm pitched the ninth in a 3-2 win over Toronto on Saturday, although he was warming with the sport knotted at two within the eighth.
I put each Strahm and Orion Kerkering on “high-alert standing” final week, given Jordan Romano’s latest struggles. The “committee strategy” sirens are certainly blaring, and whereas Romano nonetheless has the lead, the pecking order for saves in Philadelphia has turn into muddled.
Saves (rankings <60%-rostered Yahoo)
David Bednar – PIT (56%)
Daniel Palencia – CHC (43%)
Robert Garcia – TEX (19%)
Shelby Miller – ARI (34%)
Calvin Faucher – MIA (10%)
Jordan Romano – PHI (58%)
Dylan Lee – ATL (6%)
Alex Vesia – LAD (17%)
Tommy Kahnle – DET (37%)
Matt Strahm – PHI (14%)
The Watchlist: Orion Kerkering (PHI), Dennis Santana (PIT), Ryan Pressly (CHC), Jake Chook (COL), Grant Taylor (CHW)
Holds
Brock Stewart (MIN) (1%)
I’m unsure why–perhaps I’m too deep on this reduction pitching stuff–however I used to be stunned to see Brock Stewart at simply 1%-rostered. Stewart appears like an enormous title to me, although he solely has one good season (2023) beneath his belt. His 2024 season was shortened by damage, and he opened this 12 months on the IL.
Nonetheless, Stewart has been phenomenal in 2025, and the numbers up to now are a useless ringer to that 2023 season. As his utilization price rises, I can see Stewart being as excessive as a top-25 pitcher in holds leagues the remainder of the best way.
Keegan Akin (BAL) (2%)
Keegan Akin is one other man with some profile, coming into this 12 months excessive sufficient on loads of reliever rankings following a improbable 2024. The explanation I’m together with him now could be that he lately gained SP eligibility universally, on account of some appearances as an opener this season.
Whereas we’re not huge on openers right here, Akin’s utilization tends to be of the extra typical high-leverage selection; he’s acquired 4 holds and two wins since Could twenty fifth. He hasn’t matched his efficiency from final season, however he’s been a stable choice within the inconsistent Baltimore bullpen. Had I ranked him amongst SPRPs final week, he could have even cracked the highest 5.
Jalen Beeks (ARI) (1%)
One thing like a rising tide lifting all boats, however the reverse; Jalen Beeks seems right here for a similar cause as Shelby Miller. With the damage to Justin Martinez and unhealthy information relating to A.J. Puk, Beeks is solidified because the Diamondbacks’ prime setup man. In reality, amongst these with that distinction on profitable groups, he’s simply the least rostered in all of fantasy baseball. It doesn’t take greater than that to make Beeks a simple pickup in holds leagues this week.
Honorable Point out: Andrew Kittredge (BAL), Bennett Sousa (HOU), Brad Lord (WSH), Ryan Thompson (ARI), Brad Keller (CHC)
