2024 Fantasy Baseball Bullpen Rankings: Who To Draft?

Oct 29, 2025 by Jhon Lennon 54 views

Hey fantasy baseball fanatics! As you gear up for your drafts, don't overlook the importance of your bullpen. A strong bullpen can be a game-changer, providing valuable saves, holds, and strikeouts. These crucial stats can make or break your week-to-week matchups, so let's dive into the 2024 fantasy baseball bullpen rankings to help you make informed decisions.

Why Bullpen Rankings Matter in Fantasy Baseball

Okay, guys, let's get real. A lot of fantasy players focus almost exclusively on starting pitchers and big bopper hitters. But savvy managers know that a dominant bullpen can be a secret weapon. Saves are an obvious category where bullpens shine, but don't forget about holds – especially in leagues that value them. Beyond that, relievers often provide excellent strikeout rates and can help lower your team's ERA and WHIP. Think about it: a closer who pitches one inning and racks up two strikeouts with a 0.00 ERA is incredibly valuable, especially compared to a starting pitcher who gets shelled for five earned runs.

When we talk about bullpen rankings, we're not just looking at the closers. We're evaluating the overall depth and talent of each team's relief corps. A team with a reliable closer and a stable of setup men who can consistently get outs is gold. Injuries happen, performance dips occur, and roles change throughout the season. Having a bullpen that can withstand these fluctuations is a huge advantage. So, as you prepare your draft strategy, consider these rankings as a guide to identifying teams with bullpens that can contribute across multiple categories, not just saves. Remember, it's about the entire unit, not just the guy who gets the final three outs.

Drafting relief pitchers can be tricky. Closers are usually the first relievers off the board, but it's important to identify potential sleepers and undervalued setup men who could emerge as valuable contributors. Keep an eye on spring training battles and early-season performance to spot potential role changes. A reliever who starts the season as a middle reliever could quickly become a valuable source of holds or even step into the closer's role if the incumbent falters. The key is to be proactive and monitor your league's waiver wire for emerging talent. Ignoring the bullpen in your draft is a big mistake – don't let your competitors gain an edge in this often-overlooked area.

Top Tier Bullpens: The Elite Closers and Depth

Alright, let's get to the good stuff! We're talking about the bullpens that can truly anchor your fantasy pitching staff. These teams boast established closers, reliable setup men, and the depth to weather any storm. Investing in these bullpens early in your draft can pay dividends throughout the season.

Los Angeles Dodgers: With Evan Phillips at the helm, the Dodgers boast a top-tier closer. What sets them apart is the incredible depth behind him. Guys like Brusdar Graterol and Blake Treinen (when healthy) offer elite ratios and strikeout potential. The Dodgers' bullpen is a fantasy goldmine.
New York Mets: Edwin Diaz is back! And that's enough said. When healthy, he's arguably the best closer in baseball. The Mets also have a solid group of setup men like Brooks Raley and Drew Smith, making their bullpen a force to be reckoned with. Investing in Diaz gives you a major advantage in the saves category.
Seattle Mariners: The Mariners have one of the most underrated bullpens in baseball, led by Andres Muñoz. They have arms that rack up strikeouts and consistently deliver quality innings. Guys like Matt Brash and Gabe Speier provide excellent support, making the Mariners a strong choice for fantasy managers looking for saves and holds.
Atlanta Braves: Raisel Iglesias anchors a Braves bullpen that is always among the league's best. With setup men like A.J. Minter and Pierce Johnson, Atlanta's bullpen is deep and talented. They are a reliable source of saves, holds, and strikeouts, making them a valuable asset to your fantasy team.
Milwaukee Brewers: Devin Williams, with his devastating air bender, is one of the most dominant closers in the game. The Brewers also have a solid supporting cast in their bullpen, making them a strong option for fantasy managers looking for consistent save production.

These top-tier bullpens offer a combination of elite closer talent and overall depth. Drafting a closer from one of these teams can provide a significant advantage in the saves category, while the supporting cast can contribute valuable holds, strikeouts, and ratio stabilization.

Middle Tier Bullpens: Solid Options with Upside

Now, let's move on to the bullpens that offer solid value and potential upside. These teams may not have the same level of certainty as the top tier, but they still boast reliable closers and intriguing setup men who could emerge as valuable contributors.

Toronto Blue Jays: Jordan Romano is a reliable closer, and the Blue Jays have a few intriguing arms in their bullpen. They are a decent source of saves, but their overall depth is not as strong as the top-tier teams.
Tampa Bay Rays: The Rays' bullpen is always a bit of a mystery, as they tend to mix and match their relievers based on matchups. Pete Fairbanks seems to have the closer role locked down, but keep an eye on other arms like Jason Adam. The Rays are a decent source of saves and holds, but their usage patterns can be unpredictable.
San Diego Padres: Robert Suarez is projected to close, but his hold on the role is tenuous. The Padres have invested heavily in their pitching staff, so there's potential for their bullpen to improve throughout the season. They are a decent source of saves, but their overall value depends on Suarez's performance and the emergence of other relievers.
Texas Rangers: Jose Leclerc is currently slated as the closer, but he has been inconsistent in the past. The Rangers have a few other intriguing arms in their bullpen, so keep an eye on potential role changes. They are a decent source of saves, but their overall value is uncertain.
Minnesota Twins: Jhoan Duran has elite closer upside, but injury concerns are always a factor. The Twins have a few other solid relievers in their bullpen, making them a decent source of saves and holds.

These middle-tier bullpens offer a mix of established closers and intriguing upside. Drafting a reliever from one of these teams can be a smart way to address your bullpen needs without overspending early in the draft. Keep an eye on these bullpens throughout the season, as role changes and emerging talent could significantly impact their fantasy value.

Bottom Tier Bullpens: Proceed with Caution

Alright, let's talk about the bullpens you should probably avoid unless you're desperate. These teams either lack a clear closer, have a bullpen full of question marks, or are simply not expected to provide many save opportunities.

Washington Nationals: The Nationals' bullpen is a mess. They don't have a clear closer, and their overall talent level is low. Avoid this bullpen at all costs.
Colorado Rockies: Pitching in Coors Field is never a good thing for relievers. The Rockies' bullpen is a fantasy wasteland. Steer clear.
Oakland Athletics: The A's are in rebuild mode, and their bullpen reflects that. There's no reason to target any of their relievers in fantasy.
Kansas City Royals: The Royals' bullpen is unsettled and lacks high-end talent. Avoid this bullpen unless you're in a very deep league.
Cincinnati Reds: Alexis Diaz struggled quite a bit last season and nearly lost his job. There's too much risk involved here.

These bottom-tier bullpens should be avoided in most fantasy leagues. They offer little to no value in terms of saves, holds, or strikeouts, and they could actually hurt your team's ERA and WHIP. Focus on targeting bullpens with more established closers and greater overall talent.

Late-Round Sleepers and Waiver Wire Targets

Okay, so you've navigated the early rounds of your draft and haven't landed an elite closer. Don't panic! There are always late-round sleepers and waiver wire targets who can emerge as valuable contributors. Keep an eye on these guys:

Potential Closers in Waiting: Look for relievers who are next in line for saves on teams with uncertain closer situations. These guys can become goldmines if the incumbent falters.
Setup Men with High Strikeout Rates: Relievers who consistently rack up strikeouts can be valuable even if they don't get many save opportunities. They can help your team's strikeout totals and improve your ERA and WHIP.
Relievers on Good Teams: Pitchers on winning teams are more likely to get save and hold opportunities. Target relievers on teams that are expected to contend for a playoff spot.
Players who perform well in Spring Training: Keep and eye on relievers who perform well in Spring Training, as they may be in line for bigger roles in the regular season.

By monitoring these late-round sleepers and waiver wire targets, you can bolster your bullpen and gain a competitive edge in your fantasy league. Remember, the bullpen is a dynamic part of your team, and you need to be proactive in managing it throughout the season.

Final Thoughts: Drafting Your Bullpen for Success

So there you have it, folks! Your guide to navigating the 2024 fantasy baseball bullpen landscape. Remember, a strong bullpen can be the difference between winning and losing in your fantasy league. Don't neglect this crucial area of your team.

By considering these rankings, identifying potential sleepers, and staying active on the waiver wire, you can build a bullpen that will help you dominate your league. Good luck, and happy drafting!