Relief pitching can sometimes be overlooked by Fantasy Baseball managers due to starting pitching often being prioritized in the draft, but having strong arms in the bullpen can be integral when it comes to winning your weekly matchups. Finding players who are able to provide you with both saves and holds is important, but doing so while posting strong ERA and WHIP numbers can be game-changing. Emmanuel Clase, Cole Mason Miller, and Josh Hader are examples of relief pitchers who will undoubtedly be drafted high and help in those ratio categories as well as saves. However, today we will provide you with relief pitchers who could fly under the radar in your upcoming MLB Fantasy Baseball draft.
Middle Relievers to Target in 2025
1. Jeff Hoffman – Philadelphia Phillies
After struggling to record an ERA lower than 3.00 for seven straight seasons, Jeff Hoffman finally hit his stride in the Philadelphia Phillies bullpen, becoming one of their most reliable relievers throughout his last two campaigns. Hoffman competed in the most games he’s ever played in one season last year, being present in 68 outings while recording a 2.17 ERA and a 0.96 WHIP, which was a career-best. He also posted an impressive 21 holds, nearly doubling the amount he had in the category in 2023. Hoffman just signed with the Blue Jays and there’s talk that he will have the chance to be a starter. If so he becomes one of those points league cheat codes as he’ll have RP eligibility but provide you with the bulk numbers of a starter. Monitor his status as Spring Training progresses. If he does indeed start then we may want to keep him on the bench until we see him have success in the role. If he joins the bullpen then feel confident he can replicate the success he had in Philly.
2. Yennier Cano – Baltimore Orioles
Yennier Cano has proven to be one of the more dependable parts of the Orioles bullpen over the last two seasons. After playing 72 games in 2023 and accumulating over 30 holds, Cano stayed consistent in 2024, once again reaching the 7o game mark, earning 34 holds and 5 saves. Due to Felix Bautista’s right elbow debridement and ulnar nerve transportation that kept him out the entire 2024 season, Cano was able to continue to showcase his skillset, helping the Orioles finish second in the AL East. The 30-year-old will be entering his 5th season in the MLB and has continued to add a few saves in 2024 but he still finished with over 30 holds for the second consecutive season. With Bautista returning to the closer role for the 2025 campaign, Cano will likely be overlooked in this year’s drafts and could replicate the dominant numbers he put up in 2023.
3. Griffin Jax – Minnesota Twins
Similar to Cano, Griffin Jax has been one of the more consistent relief pitchers of the last few seasons. The 30-year-old arguably had his best campaign yet in 2024, pitching in a career-high 72 games and bumping up his saves total from 4 in 2023 to 10 last year. In addition, Jax proved his reliability by setting a new career-best 2.03 ERA and 0.87 WHIP. Jhoan Duran will start the season as the Twins’ closer but Jax is going to post great ratios with a top K/9 and could easily slide into the closer role if Duran falters.
4. David Robertson – Texas Rangers
Despite the Texas Rangers being unable to reach the post-season in 2024, it didn’t stop David Robertson from having an exceptional year in the bullpen. Robertson was able to tie a career-high 34 holds in 68 appearances. He basically replicated his 2023 campaign, with a 3.00 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP so his late-career success is no fluke. Robertson also posted 99 strikeouts in 2024, which is the most he’s had since 2011. Don’t let Robertson’s age fool you, the 39-year-old proved last season that he can still be an integral piece to a team’s bullpen. His late signing and age will have him overlooked heading into 2025 drafts but he’s still got something to offer and he might still put up saves if a team’s regular closer has to miss time.
Middle relievers who post dominant ratios and add in 80+ strikeouts are a bit of a cheat code in many fantasy baseball formats, especially for managers who prioritize offense over pitching. After all, their ratios are not going to drag down the numbers of your top SPs while adding a starter with a 5.00+ ERA is going to do great harm. Hoffman, Cano, Jax, and Robertson will all go very late in traditional 5×5 drafts or they may even be on the free-agent list when the season starts. Monitor their situations and don’t be afraid to roster them if you have a hole in your pitching staff and need to plug in quality ratios. Of course, in holds leagues they should be among your top targets.