Top 5 This Week

Related Posts

Way Too Early Fantasy Baseball Rankings – Closer

Fantasy Baseball
Dave Funnell
Author: Dave Funnell
9 min.read
Mason Miller Dynasty Closer Rankings

Welcome to the Way Too Early Closer Rankings for January 2026. Here, I will go over my Top 10 closers in baseball, reviewing what we saw this past season, what we’re looking for this offseason, and what we can expect in 2026. I will be doing this for every position, so get ready for the ride.

What?! Your fantasy baseball league wasn’t hosted on Fantrax this season? Preposterous! Check out what the Fantrax MLB Commissioner has to offer and we think you’ll be singing a different tune for the 2026 MLB season.

Previous Rankings

Catcher  |  First Base  |  Second Base  |  Third Base  |  Shortstop  |  Outfield Part 1  |  Outfield Part 2  |  Utility  |  Starting Pitcher Part 1  |  Starting Pitcher Part 2  |  Closers  |

Way Too Early Closer Rankings

1. Edwin Diaz – Los Angeles Dodgers

Last season’s return to glory by Edwin Diaz was a reminder of just how good he has been over the years. Throughout his career, he’s recorded at least 18 saves a season, culminating with a total of 253 career saves and a very low 41 career blown saves. He’s also finished with an ERA below 2.00 in four separate seasons, and has had a WHIP less than 1.00, three different times. In short, he’s been outstanding on the mound. Last season, he had two different pitches with a WHIFF rate of at least 39%, making him hard to hit against. Now, he heads out to Los Angeles to play for the defending back-to-back World Series Champions, and the opportunities should be plentiful.

2. Mason Miller – San Diego Padres

Don’t get me wrong, Mason Miller is every bit the pitcher that Edwin Diaz is. His fastball sits at triple digits, and his slider is the very definition of being lights out. He got better with the move to San Diego, improving drastically across the board. He is now the team’s closer, and he should have a very long leash with respect to keeping the job. If you want proof of that, look at what the Padres gave up in a trade to acquire him. He is their golden child, and he will be treated like royalty. You can draft either player here as the best closer in baseball, but Diaz gets the nod because of his situation. Either way, though, you can’t go wrong if you’re willing to invest an early round draft pick in saves.

3. Andres Munoz – Seattle Mariners

Andres Munoz has done well over the last few years after early-career injury concerns. He has avoided the Injured List over the past two seasons, providing stability atop the bullpen pecking order in Seattle. When given the chance, he became one of baseball’s premier closers, securing 38 saves a year ago. Playing in a pitcher’s haven like T-Mobile Park does wonders to help things, though in 2025, he flipped the script. Even though he has a career ERA almost one and a half runs higher on the road than at home, in 2025, he surrendered less than one run a game away from home. That’s an incredible turn of events, and if things continue in 2026, he will definitely be worth where he’s being picked in drafts. Again, though, drafting closers early is a choice that requires a plan for the rest of your team.

4. Cade Smith – Cleveland Guardians

With Emmanuel Clase likely never pitching again in the major leagues, Cade Smith has taken the reins in Cleveland and has done so in a truly special way. In 2025, he finished with a 2.15 ERA in the ninth inning, and actually pitched best when given zero days of rest in between outings. As it stands, he is their man heading into 2026, and fantasy owners should feel confident in his abilities moving forward.

5. Jhoan Duran – Philadelphia Phillies

Jhoan Duran went from a team that was beginning a massive rebuild to a World Series contender, and didn’t bat an eye. He will be 28 years old next season and entering his prime. He will be playing for a team that knows how to develop pitching. It feels like everything that needs to happen for him to succeed is set in place for him to be one of baseball’s best. I probably have him too low here.

6. Devin Williams – New York Mets

Here’s where the doubt starts settling in with respect to these rankings. Before 2025, Devin Williams was seen as a rock-solid option to close out games with the Milwaukee Brewers. However, last season he blew four saves and lost six games, highlighting his struggles on the mound. His 4.79 ERA is extremely uncharacteristic of his early-career dominance, and it’s possible that he was still adjusting to the back injury he sustained in 2024. Whatever the case may be, he is now a member of the New York Mets, and the hope is that this isn’t a big-market struggle, but rather a one-off of incompetence. He can be drafted to close for you, but he does come with risk.

6. Raisel Iglesias/Robert Suarez – Atlanta Braves

This one is a bit of a copout, as I’m placing both players here as the sixth-best in baseball. It is believed that Raisel Iglesias will win the closer’s role in Atlanta, as evidenced by his one-year signing this offseason; however, the Braves also signed Robert Suarez. Iglesias struggled mightily to begin the year, as his slider was giving him trouble. In Suarez, the Braves now have someone who recorded 40 saves last year for the Padres. Whoever wins that job should succeed at it, but the man in waiting could be just as valuable. Depending on when it’s announced, the draft cost for the setup man might subsequently drop in value to where he’s affordable to roster and stash.

7. Aroldis Chapman – Boston Red Sox

I’ve been wrong about him for years, so consider this ranking as me surrendering that take on Aroldis Chapman. He was outstanding last year, giving up just eight earned runs all season, and only two over his final 21 innings pitched. He gained almost a mile per hour on his fastball last year, and all four of his pitches had at MOST an xBA of .230 on the season. He will be 38 next year, and his age alongside his knack to throw hard have always been concerning. However, he has the closing job, and he should, if healthy, give fantasy teams at least 25 saves.

8. Ryan Helsley – Baltimore Orioles

The suddenly resurgent Baltimore Orioles have made a big splash this offseason, and signing Ryan Helsley was one of those waves. He comes to the Orioles with plenty of closing experience. In fact, his 70 saves over the past two seasons put him in third overall in baseball. He does come with some risk, as there is a ballpark downgrade. The home run-friendly left field of Camden Yards may very well be a kryptonite to him and his 1.3 HR/9 he sustained last year. In addition, he moves to a division where every team seems to be competing in 2026. Let’s not forget that he missed significant time with a strained right forearm in 2023, and then saw an ever-so-slight drop in velocity last year. There could be issues here, but saves are saves, and the upside is immense.

9. David Bednar – Pittsburgh Pirates

What a year it was for David Bednar. After struggling to do much of anything positive in 2024, he was in and out of the closer’s role in Pittsburgh before being traded to the Yankees. His career has been defined by perpetual disappointment, in that it’s always felt like he could achieve more than he has. He just might get the chance to do that in 2026. Keep an eye on Camilo Doval, though, as he’s the next pitcher on their depth chart with closer experience should Bednar fail or struggle.

10. Josh Hader – Houston Astros

Full disclosure: I do not have Josh Hader ranked 10th. However, there’s a lot to discuss, hence his location here. Hader has been one of the league’s best pitchers for a while. Unfortunately, last season, he suffered a capsule strain in his throwing shoulder, subsequently costing him significant time. He did not return to the Astros before the end of the season, and as such, a cloud of mystery surrounds him. He did say in November that he feels at full strength and that he is expected to be ready for Spring Training. However, the issue here is that a capsular strain can lead to surgery for repair. In addition to this, he expects to have a normal offseason, but he did throw out the possibility that once he starts throwing and ramping up, it’ll be a tricky situation to monitor. One final red flag: he plays for the Houston Astros, and their success in properly diagnosing injuries has been excessively faulty over the past few years. I am avoiding him in drafts.

Quick Hits

Jeff Hoffman had an up-and-down season. There were days when he looked unstoppable, and others when he couldn’t get anyone out. In 2025, he gave up at least one earned run in just 16 out of his 61 appearances. He still wound up with a 4.37 ERA, but should be the Toronto closer to start the season… It feels like Carlos Estevez should get more love. He has 68 saves over the past two years, and has given up more than one run in a game just eight times… Trevor Megill suffered a right elbow flexor strain and somehow returned in record time. He feels like a “ramped up, shut down” guy early in the season. Be sure to keep an eye on Abner Uribe… Kenley Jansen and Pete Fairbanks both got signed to new teams, and both should be given chances to close out games. It feels like only a matter of time before old age gets either of them, but for now, consider them somewhat solid RP2 choices… Daniel Palencia suffered from a strained right shoulder, but returned before the end of the season to pitch in two scoreless outings. His ramp-up will be something to watch, though perhaps no news (this offseason) is good news.

Fantrax is one of the fastest-growing fantasy sites in the fantasy sports industry, and we’re not stopping anytime soon. We are the most customizable, easy-to-use, and feature-rich platform in the industry, offering the greatest fantasy experience for your dynasty, keeper, redraft, and best ball leagues. Fantasy sports doesn’t sleep, and neither does Fantrax, with seasons running 365 days a year. Take your fantasy leagues to the next level now at Fantrax.com!

Fantasy Baseball
Previous article
Callum Wilson EPL Waiver Wire West Ham
Week 20 – Fantasy Draft EPL Waiver Wire
Next article
Trey McBride Fantasy Football Awards
2025 NFL Fantasy Football Awards
Dave Funnell
Dave Funnell
Dave has been playing fantasy baseball for many years and plans on doing so for many more.

Share your take!

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Popular Articles