In this week’s Saves and Steals, the status quo remained in much of the rankings as the top closeters continue to dominate. Emmanuel Clase occupies first place in the rankings at mid-season. Craig Kimbrel led the way with four saves this week, putting him fourth on the all-time list. Clay Holmes is down a bit after a tough week, and Alexis Díaz gets on the right track with a scoreless streak. In the speed department, Garrett Mitchell could be worth it, and Noelvi Marte is still available in many leagues.
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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, throwing a clean pitch against the White Sox and getting in line for the win. Meanwhile, Helsley made three more saves, giving him 31 to lead baseball at midseason. No defense came Miller’s way. He gave up two runs in a no-save situation against the Angels on Tuesday. Still, he has been one of the most skilled relievers in baseball, posting a 2.39 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 66 strikeouts in 37 2/3 innings while converting 14 saves. While Miller isn’t putting up the highest save totals in Oakland that we would like from a top prospect, he is an elite contributor with his 66 strikeouts to lead all relievers.
Tier 2: The Elite
Craig Kimbrel – Baltimore Orioles
Robert Suárez – San Diego Padres
Josh Hader-Houston Astros
Kimbrel converted four saves to give him 21 with a 2.23 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 48 strikeouts in 32 1/3 innings. Kimbrel matches Suarez’s 21 saves after Suarez made a save Wednesday against the Rangers. In Houston, Hader gave up a solo home run against the Blue Jays but held up his 13th save. He posted a 3.82 ERA, a 1.01 WHIP and 60 strikeouts in 37 2/3 innings.
Tier 3: The Solid Options
Evan Phillips-Los Angeles Dodgers
Clay Holmes-New York Yankees
Andrés Muñoz – Seattle Mariners
Kirby Yates – Texas Rangers
Paul Sewald-Arizona Diamondbacks
Raisel Iglesias-Atlanta Braves
Kenley Jansen-Boston Red Sox
Jhoan Duran – Minnesota Twins
Kyle Finnegan – Washington Nationals
Trevor Megill – Milwaukee Brewers
Pete Fairbanks – Tampa Bay Rays
Phillips has given up a run in each of his last two starts, but fell in line for the win on Tuesday against the Diamondbacks. Holmes also skidded a bit. He has allowed at least one run in four of his last five starts, with his last save coming on June 9. Muñoz also spent time without a chance to save, with his last converted save coming on June 18. he maintains an excellent 1.64 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 43 strikeouts in 33 innings with 13 saves. Yates didn’t see a chance to save this week either. He’s 11 years old with a 0.95 ERA and 38 strikeouts in 28 1/3 innings.
Sewald recorded his 11th save on Saturday against the A’s, then had a clean out on Sunday in a no-save situation. He got into trouble Tuesday against the Dodgers, giving up two runs to blow a save and suffer the loss. The two runs allowed were the first since his season debut on May 7.
Iglesias appeared in a no-save situation against the Pirates on Saturday, striking out two in a scoreless inning. He then made his 21st save against the Giants on Wednesday. Iglesias has now struck out 11 batters in his last six starts after failing to record double-digit hits in April or May.
Jansen recorded his 16th save of the season on Saturday against the Padres. Even in his 15th season, he has been incredibly effective, posting a 2.22 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 33 strikeouts in 28 1/3 innings.
Duran had a solid week, making three scoreless games and converting two saves to give him 13 on the year. Finnegan pitched four scoreless innings this week, making his 23rd save on Wednesday against the Mets. He dropped to a 1.98 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 39 strikeouts in 35 1/3 innings. Behind him, Hunter Harvey has stumbled of late, giving up nine runs in his last six starts.
Megill made two more saves and reached 18 after taking control of the closer position in Milwaukee. Devin Williams is on track to pitch in a simulated game next week and could return at the end of the month. In Tampa Bay, Fairbanks recorded his 13th save on Friday against the Nationals.
Level 4: there are advantages here
Camilo Doval – San Francisco Giants
José Alvarado/Jeff Hoffman – Philadelphia Phillies
Tanner Scott-Miami Marlins
Carlos Estévez – Los Angeles Angels
Jason Foley – Detroit Tigers
Alexis Díaz – Cincinnati Reds
Aroldis Chapman – Pittsburgh Pirates
Chad Green vs. Toronto Blue Jays
James McArthur – Kansas City Royals
Consistency continues to be an issue for Doval. He gave up running for the save against the Dodgers on Friday before getting in line for the win. He then bounced back with his 15th save on Tuesday against the Braves.
Hoffman converted two saves in a row for the Phillies this week. He is up to seven with a 1.24 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 46 strikeouts in 36 1/3 innings. Although Hoffman has been the most effective reliever, Alvarado leads the team with a closer committee-leading 13 saves.
Scott recorded two saves with a pair of perfect innings, giving him 12 saves with a 1.50 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 38 strikeouts in 36 innings. Estéves also had two goalless matches, making his 16th save. Meanwhile, Foley allowed an unearned run against the Angels on Friday to take the loss.
Díaz managed a run of six goalless games, the longest since April. He recorded his 19th save against the Yankees on Wednesday. Chapman also made a save this week, his third of the season in David Bednar’s absence. Bednar is playing ball up to 120 feet as he recovers from an oblique injury, although there is no clear timeline for his return.
Green also made his third save while replacing injured Jordan Romano and Yimi García in Toronto. Romano is expected to be closed for six weeks following arthroscopic elbow surgery. García was scheduled to throw a bullpen session and will need a period of rehab before being activated. In Kansas City, McArthur made his 15th save on Wednesday against the Rays.
Tier 5: Just Surviving
Reed Garrett/Adam Ottavino/Jake Diekman – New York Mets
Héctor Neris – Chicago Cubs
Michael Kopech-Chicago White Sox
Tyler Kinley/Jalen Beeks – Colorado Rockies
Garrett made a unique save against the Nationals on Monday, his first since Edwin Díaz was suspended for ten games. Díaz could return on July 6th.
Neris had one of his best weeks, picking up a win and a save while striking out two batters in each of his last three starts. And Kopech recorded two saves, his first since May 15. Kinley got a win on Monday, but the Rockies’ bullpen has been blamed for six blown saves in the last three games, which tells you all you need to know about the situation.
Injured
Devin Williams – Back
Jordan Romano – Elbow
David Bednar – oblique
Robbery Department
The steals leaders of the week come from the National League Central. Christian Yelich led the way with four, putting together a big week that included two home runs. The 32-year-old outfielder is having his best season since 2019, slashing .333/.408/.519 with nine homers, 37 runs scored, 37 RBI and 19 steals in 263 plate appearances. Yelich’s teammate Garrett Mitchell was activated from the injured list this week after missing the first three months of the season with a broken bone in his hand. Available in over 90 percent of Yahoo leagues, he could be worth picking in deeper leagues for some power/speed advantage. He hit four home runs with four steals and a .318 batting average in 52 Triple-A plate appearances during his rehab period. In Cincinnati, Stuart Fairchild hit three bases while serving as the team’s everyday center fielder. There’s not much upside here, as he’s slashing .233/.306/.362 with four homers and 11 steals in 181 plate appearances. However, Reds third baseman Noelvi Marte is still available in some more superficial formats. The 22-year-old hit his first home run of the season on Wednesday against the Yankees and has stolen two bases in his first six games.
