In saves and steals this week, Trevor Megill led the way with four saves this week as he continues to dominate the ninth inning in place of Devin Williams in Milwaukee. In Boston, Kenley Jansen is still having it, making three saves. And in the steals department, Wyatt Langford is finally feeling comfortable in the majors with a big month of June.
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Closest Fantasy Baseball Rankings
Layer 1: On top
Emmanuel Clase – Cleveland Guardians
Ryan Helsley – St.
Mason Miller – Oakland A’s
Clase made an appearance this week, picking up his 21st save of the season with a clean inning against the Blue Jays after giving up a run in each of his previous two starts. Still, he posted an excellent 0.81 ERA, 0.66 WHIP, and a 35/3 K/BB ratio in 33 1/3 innings. Behind Clase, Hunter Gaddis and Cade Smith have been excellent setup men.
Helsley moves into second place in the rankings with two more saves this week. He’s even 24 years old, the best in baseball, with a 2.53 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 36 strikeouts in 32 innings. He outperforms Miller, who was 1-for-2 on save chances.
Tier 2: The Elite
Craig Kimbrel – Baltimore Orioles
Clay Holmes-New York Yankees
Robert Suárez – San Diego Padres
Josh Hader-Houston Astros
There is not much action in this tier during the week. Holmes gave up two runs in both games, taking the loss and getting the save last Thursday against the Royals. Suarez missed a save on Tuesday before rebounding with his 18th save on Wednesday against the Phillies. Kimbrel moves to the top of the division. He shut out the team in a no-save situation against the Phillies on Saturday and earned the win after giving up a run to get a save on Wednesday. Kimbrel recorded a 2.53 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 39 strikeouts in 27 1/3 innings while converting 16 saves.
In Houston, Hader gave up one run in two games in no-save situations against the Tigers, then earned his 10th save with a scoreless outing against the White Sox on Wednesday. After a shaky start to the season, Bryan Abreu has excelled in a setup role for the Astros, recording 16 holds with a 2.72 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 51 strikeouts in 36 1/3 innings.
Tier 3: The Solid Options
Andrés Muñoz – Seattle Mariners
Jhoan Duran – Minnesota Twins
Kirby Yates – Texas Rangers
Evan Phillips-Los Angeles Dodgers
Paul Sewald-Arizona Diamondbacks
Edwin Díaz – New York Mets
Raisel Iglesias-Atlanta Braves
Kyle Finnegan – Washington Nationals
Pete Fairbanks – Tampa Bay Rays
Kenley Jansen-Boston Red Sox
After some injury issues, Muñoz threw two scoreless games, including a five-out save against the Guardians on Tuesday. He has as many as 13 saves with a 1.47 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 42 strikeouts in 30 2/3 innings. Ryne Stanek also had two saves in a busy week for Seattle’s bullpen.
Duran had a good week on the mound, earning two wins and a save in three starts. He hasn’t been as effective this season, posting a 3.43 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 19 strikeouts in 21 innings for a 22.9 percent strikeout rate, down from 32.9 percent last season.
Yates struck out the team to earn his 10th save last Thursday against the Dodgers, then gave up an unearned run in the loss against the Mets on Tuesday before earning his 11th save on Wednesday. The 37-year-old right-hander solidified his position as the Rangers’ closer with a 1.03 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 34 strikeouts in 26 1/3 innings.
Phillips had three scoreless games, earning two saves, giving him three since returning from the injured list and 11 for the season. Meanwhile, there is no save for Sewald this week, who remains at seven on the season with just one run allowed in 11 2/3 innings of work so far.
The three weeks that Díaz took off to recover from a shoulder injury seem to have done him good. He was sitting at 98 miles per hour on his fastball in his first few games back while recording two saves and a kill.
Iglesias was busy on the mound, recording three saves and suffering a loss. The 34-year-old right-hander has up to 19 saves with a 2.60 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 21 strikeouts in 27 2/3 innings. Joe Jiménez also picked up a save while recording two holds in a setup role for the Braves.
Finnegan made three goalless appearances, converting two saves to give him 21 as he continued his stellar season. Fairbanks also picked up two saves this week before being removed from Tuesday’s contest after being hit in the hand by a defender. Fortunately, he avoided a serious injury and could be available to pitch on Thursday.
Jansen may have had his best week of the season with three saves. He’s 13 with a 2.59 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 31 strikeouts in 24 1/3 innings.
Level 4: there are advantages here
Trevor Megill – Milwaukee Brewers
Camilo Doval – San Francisco Giants
David Bednar – Pittsburgh Pirates
José Alvarado/Jeff Hoffman – Philadelphia Phillies
Tanner Scott-Miami Marlins
Carlos Estévez – Los Angeles Angels
Jason Foley – Detroit Tigers
Alexis Díaz – Cincinnati Reds
Chad Green vs. Toronto Blue Jays
Megill is on the rise in Milwaukee. He shut out four saves, bringing him to 15 with a 2.01 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 27 strikeouts in 22 1/3 innings. It’s been slow for Devin Williams his recovery from stress fractures in his back. He is expected to start throwing a bunch soon.
In San Francisco, Doval falls in the rankings as his consistency issues persist. He had a rough day on Sunday, giving up four runs in a no-save situation against the Angels. He bounced back on Monday, converting his 13th save with a clean sweep against the Cubs.
After giving up consecutive runs, Bednar made two clean appearances, making two saves to give him 15 with a 5.17 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 32 strikeouts in 31 1/3 innings. Behind Bednar, Colin Holderman continues his excellent work as a setup man, recording 12 holds with a 0.73 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 29 strikeouts in 25 2/3 frames.
There were no saves for Alvarado this week, but he made two perfect appearances. Hoffman picked up a win on Tuesday, striking out two batters in a clean sweep against the Padres. Scott also picked up a win on Tuesday after blowing a save chance last Thursday against the Mets. The two runs allowed against New York were the first he had allowed since April 14.
Estévez picked up three saves this week, giving him 13 on the season, while lowering his ERA to 3.52 with a 0.87 WHIP and 23 strikeouts in 23 innings. He has now pitched seven consecutive perfect innings.
Foley had a scoreless game, but still has 12 saves after not getting a save this week. Meanwhile, Díaz picked up a save on Friday despite giving up a few runs to the Brewers, and then recorded his 16th save with a scoreless outing on Tuesday against the Pirates.
There have been more injury concerns in Toronto this week. Yimi García was doing an excellent job filling in for Jordan Romano, but landed on the injured list with a right elbow injury. Chad Green is the next best reliever who will likely get a chance to save. Nate Pearson and Trevor Richard could be additional names to watch.
Tier 5: Just Surviving
James McArthur – Kansas City Royals
Héctor Neris – Chicago Cubs
McArthur threw two scoreless games, picking up a win on Thursday against the Yankees. While he was volatile, posting a 5.02 ERA in 28 2/3 innings, there weren’t many other options emerging from the Kansas City bullpen. And the regression is certainly hitting Neris now. He has allowed seven runs, including three home runs, in his last three starts as he has converted one save and suffered two losses. Colten Brewer got a chance to pitch the ninth inning on Wednesday and came away with his first career save. He could be someone to watch if the Cubs move away from Neris due to being closer.
Level 6: if you need it
Michael Kopech-Chicago White Sox
Tyler Kinley – Colorado Rockies
Injured
Devin Williams – Back
Jordan Romano – Elbow
Robbery Department
There was an incredible amount of excitement surrounding Rangers rookie outfielder Wyatt Langford entering the season. He struggled out of the gate and was slowed by a hamstring injury that sidelined him for more than three weeks. But the 22-year-old is starting to get his groove back in June, slashing .288/.344/.458 with two doubles, two triples and a home run, his first that would actually come out of the yard. Langford has become particularly aggressive on the bases, with a baseball-leading five steals last week. Langford may be available in shallower leagues, but he is becoming a player you want to start in all formats. More widely available on waiver wires, Dylan Moore was among the leaders this week with three steals. He is at 12 points on the season while slashing .206/.319/.402 with seven home runs, 27 runs scored and 23 RBI in 226 plate appearances. Moore may not have much use in most formats, but playing every day could make him useful for teams looking to add speed in deep leagues.
