This week on Saves and Steals, Jhoan Duran returned from the injured list to record his first save. Mason Miller continues to collect strikeouts and climb the rankings. Concern over Craig Kimbrel’s injury brings some uncertainty in Baltimore. And Kyle Finnegan is closing the door in the ninth inning for the Nationals. In the steals department, Jacob Young is on the loose in Washington and some valuable prospects made their debuts in Houston and Colorado. Let’s start with the final overview of last week.
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Closest Fantasy Baseball Rankings
Layer 1: On top
Edwin Díaz – New York Mets
Díaz is going through a drought. He hasn’t seen a chance to save in over two weeks. He took the loss to the Cubs on Monday, giving up a two-run homer in the top of the ninth in a game-tying run. Still, Díaz remains at the top of the closest rankings behind his high-level skills and assured role.
Tier 2: The Elite
Emmanuel Clase – Cleveland Guardians
Evan Phillips-Los Angeles Dodgers
Mason Miller – Oakland A’s
Ryan Helsley – St.
Jhoan Duran – Minnesota Twins
Raisel Iglesias-Atlanta Braves
Camilo Doval – San Francisco Giants
Josh Hader-Houston Astros
Clase recorded his eighth save against the Red Sox, then lost in extra innings against the Braves. He bounced back with a save in extra innings against the Astros on Wednesday in the ninth. Clase was excellent during the first month, posting a 0.55 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 16 strikeouts to one walk in 16 1/3 innings. The strikeout rate is a nice rebound from last season, when fewer strikeouts led to more volatility. Phillips made two saves to give him eight. He’s off to a great start with a 0.71 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 16 strikeouts in 12 2/3 frames.
Miller has solidified himself as a top-five pick, picking up three saves this week to give him eight. Oakland doesn’t have the best team context, but low-scoring games mean more opportunities to save when they are ahead. And the 25-year-old right-hander is displaying some of the best skills in baseball, with 29 strikeouts in 14 1/3 innings for an incredible 18.21 K/9.
Helsley had a big week on the mound with three saves. He has up to ten saves with a 1.69 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and 19 strikeouts with just two walks in 16 innings. He will remain among the closers if he can keep his walk rate low and stay off the injured list.
Duran was activated from the injured list this week after suffering an oblique strain in spring training. He had a save on his first day back, striking out a batter in his first save Tuesday against the White Sox. Duran is once again among the elite closers.
Iglesias recorded his eighth save, working around two baserunners against the Mariners on Wednesday. He has been effective despite a drop in his strikeout rate. On the bright side, the smells have returned in recent weeks. The 34-year-old right-hander should be fine throughout the season.
The Giants weren’t able to give Doval much trouble during the first month. He managed just his fifth save and a win this week. And Houston’s struggles meant Hader made just two saves in April. Both could make solid buy options on the dip.
Tier 3: The Solid Options
Clay Holmes-New York Yankees
Robert Suárez – San Diego Padres
Jordan Romano x Toronto Blue Jays
Kirby Yates – Texas Rangers
Jason Foley – Detroit Tigers
Kenley Jansen-Boston Red Sox
Alexis Díaz – Cincinnati Reds
David Bednar – Pittsburgh Pirates
Craig Kimbrel – Baltimore Orioles
While not the flashiest of closers, Holmes has been incredibly reliable for the Yankees. He had a five-strikeout save against the Orioles on Wednesday, striking out three. He had a league-leading 11 saves but didn’t allow a run in more than 15 innings of work, striking out 16 batters with just one walk.
Suarez has been outstanding in approaching the Padres. He has another save this week for his tenth year with a 0.66 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 11 strikeouts in 13 2/3 innings.
Romano threw a perfect ninth inning with two strikeouts Sunday against the Dodgers, his fourth save since coming off the injured list on April 16. Yimi García continues his impressive work as a setup man, striking out 16 batters with one run allowed over 13 1/3 innings.
Yates’ late-career resurgence was impressive to see. The 37-year-old right-hander continues to solidify the closer role with two more saves this week for five on the season. He has yet to allow a run while striking out 14 batters in 12 innings. Meanwhile, José Leclerc continues to return to a high-leverage job, with five consecutive goalless games.
Foley, another emerging player in 2024, added two more saves on the week to give him nine. He gave up his first two runs of the season for a 1.32 ERA in 13 2/3 innings. Foley has occasionally been used in high-leverage positions in the eighth inning, with Shelby Miller getting a save this week. But Foley remains the primary reliever to get the ninth inning and the Tigers have played a lot of close games, giving him plenty of save chances.
Jansen has been excellent for the Red Sox as they move away from spring injury concerns. He picked up a win this week and carries a 1.86 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 14 strikeouts in 9 2/3 innings. Rookie right-hander Justin Slaten has been a rising young reliever in Boston. He allowed just one run in 17 1/3 frames.
Díaz picked up his sixth save this week, striking out two hits in one inning against the Padres. He’s been pitching well lately, with no walks in five of his last six starts. Meanwhile, Bednar has struggled when it looked like he was getting it right. He has allowed at least one run in each of his last three starts.
Kimbrel has not been available to pitch in recent days due to a long-standing issue. However, the Orioles did not consider the situation serious enough for a trip to the injured list. But the problem may explain his consecutive save chances. Danny Coulombe got the first save with Kimbrel sidelined, converting his first against the Yankees on Monday. Yennier Cano should also have a chance to save if Kimbrel needs to lose more time.
Level 4: there are advantages here
James McArthur – Kansas City Royals
Andrés Muñoz/Ryne Stanek – Seattle Mariners
José Alvarado/Jeff Hoffman – Philadelphia Phillies
Kyle Finnegan – Washington Nationals
Kevin Ginkel-Arizona Diamondbacks
Jason Adam – Tampa Bay Rays
McArthur has made just one appearance this week, picking up his seventh save with a perfect inning against the Blue Jays on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Muñoz bounced back in the ninth inning with three straight saves, giving him five. In Philadelphia, Alvarado continues to be used out of the ninth inning, frustrating fantasy managers. He recorded his fifth save on Sunday, then pitched his eighth on Tuesday and Wednesday, while Jeff Hoffman and Gregory Soto each had saves.
Finnegan is in a good place. He has allowed just one baserunner in his last eight starts, striking out nine hitters and allowing one walk since April 13. He shut out the team against the Rangers on Wednesday in his 10th save, tying them for the league lead.
Ginkel’s run as a closer for the Diamondbacks was extended, with Paul Sewald suffering a minor setback in his recovery due to an oblique strain. Sewald felt some renewed pain and will continue throwing bullpen sessions. Ginkel made his fifth save on Sunday against the Mariners.
Adam got his first save on Monday against the Brewers, striking out two batters. However, it doesn’t appear that Adam will get the full defense chance in Pete Fairbanks’ absence. Garrett Cleavinger made some saves, with Adam regularly working high-leverage positions before the ninth inning. Adam should be drafted as the reliever most likely to lead the team in save chances, but it could just be a committee until Fairbanks returns.
Tier 5: Just Surviving
Héctor Neris – Chicago Cubs
Carlos Estévez – Los Angeles Angels
Tanner Scott-Miami Marlins
Joel Payamps/Trevor Megill – Milwaukee Brewers
Neris is yet to have a clean sheet in 12 games. He picked up his fifth save of the season on Wednesday, turning around a hit against the Mets. He can only get away with an 11/10 K/BB ratio for so long. Mark Leiter Jr. has been by far the most effective late-inning reliever for the Cubs and should be someone to watch for potential saves.
Estévez gave up running, but held up on defense on Monday against the Phillies. He had another save on Tuesday, but gave up three runs to suffer the loss. He has allowed runs in three of his last four starts after a strong start to the season. Meanwhile, Scott hasn’t allowed a run in his last seven starts but still maintains a 13/12 K/BB ratio in 12 2/3 innings.
No chance of saving for Payamps this week. Instead, it was Trevor Megill recording his first save as this situation appears to be heading towards a by-committee approach.
Level 6: if you need it
Michael Kopech-Chicago White Sox
Tyler Kinley/Justin Lawrence – Colorado Rockies
Injured
Devin Williams – return
Paul Sewald – oblique
Robbery Department
The Reds and Nationals ranked above the rest of the league in steals, with the Reds leading the way with 55 to Washington’s 53. Elly De La Cruz and Jacob Young were the main contributors, both leading the leagues in steals last week with six. We know all about De La Cruz’s early success, but Young is having a solid season with the Nationals. The 24-year-old outfielder is slashing .314/.351/.371 with 16 runs scored and 12 steals in 76 plate appearances. Two more widely available prospects made their debuts this week, which could contribute some speed. Joey Loperfido was promoted by the Astros, taking José Abreu’s place in the lineup. Loperfido stole 27 bases in the minors in 2023 while hitting 25 home runs. He was hitting .287/.393/.713 with 13 home runs and five steals at Triple-A before he got the call. The hitting tool is in question, but there are some intriguing power/speed advantages with the potential to account for hitting stats in Houston’s lineup. In Colorado, Jordan Beck was called up in place of Nolan Jones, who went on the injured list due to a back problem. The 23-year-old stole 20 bags in the minors last year with 25 homers. He had as many as five homers, five steals and a .999 OPS in 121 appearances at Triple-A. Both Beck and Loperfido deserve to be seen in all formats.
