Fantasy Baseball RP Rankings: Closer Tears, Sleepers, Draft Tactics

Everyone knows that closures are the worst, so it’s surprising why most fantasy baseball leagues still survive as a category. Even if your league has switched to save and hold as a category – which actually opens up the player pool to include all relief pitches and much less draft-day or season stresses Causes – those third-in-a-innings, four-run implications really sting. Nevertheless, most leagues still have saves, and so most owners require a good set of RP rankings on draft day.

Each season makes it more difficult to rank the reliever. Roughly two-thirds of closures lose their jobs, at least temporarily, at some point each year. This may be due to injury or poor performance, but either way, there is going to be significant turnover. At the top, more teams are being selected in the late innings for the “close-by-committee” strategy, which eventually adds more potential savings contributors, but makes it even more difficult to find the right ones. There are only too many spots on the roster, and you can’t dedicate too many RPs courage Get one saving opportunity per week.

2021 fictitious basis
Catcher First | Second | Third. Short | Outfield | Starter Top 300

Our RP rankings elevate “safe” closers, but even our No. 2 man, Josh Hyder, who you think may be in more than a committee. His K-rate and peripherals are so good, however, that he can still have a major contribution in any type of league. The same goes for his bullpen-mate Devin Williams, who could also find himself in the mix to save. Perhaps we have overvalued him, but it shows how difficult it is to navigate this situation. There are not many “sure things” to save, and very few “sure things” that are really good ERAs and WHIPs.

RP is an important position, but it is the most difficult situation for the handicapped in March. This means that you should not invest too much draft capital in it. Yes, you want a stud closer, maybe even two, but unless they have ultra-high K-rates and have proven themselves in the previous season, you shouldn’t get too far. There will be plenty of closures that pop up on the wire that is missing throughout the year, and if you trust yourself to get them, there is no need to pass on more reliable hitters or starters.

We will keep updating these RP rankings frequently throughout the spring, so check back for the latest player movement.