2026 fantasy baseball closer rankings take another turn heading into Week 6 as bullpen situations across the league remain anything but settled. We’re still early enough in the season for volatility to be the norm, and that’s showing up in how teams are handling the late innings. Injuries, uneven performances, and an increasing willingness to mix and match based on matchups have prevented many clubs from committing to a single, traditional ninth-inning option.
For fantasy managers, staying ahead of these changes is critical. The saves landscape can shift quickly, and those who anticipate role changes before they become obvious can gain an edge in multiple categories—from saves to ERA and WHIP. In this Week 6 edition, we refresh the closer tiers, break down notable movement in the rankings, and spotlight the bullpens that deserve your attention in the days ahead.
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2026 Fantasy Baseball Closer Rankings – The Closer Report (Week 6)
The 2026 fantasy baseball closer rankings continue to shift heading into Week 6, with a number of bullpens still lacking clear hierarchy. Committees remain a growing trend, while performance swings and early-season adjustments have opened the door for new arms to emerge as legitimate ninth-inning candidates.
For fantasy managers, staying on top of these changes is essential to maintaining an edge. Saves can be unpredictable, and bullpen roles can change quickly, so identifying usage patterns and potential opportunities before they fully materialize is key. In this week’s closer report, we break down the most impactful developments, highlight changing roles, and identify the bullpen situations worth monitoring closely as the season progresses.
Tier 1 – Elite 2026 Fantasy Baseball Closers
- Mason Miller, San Diego Padres
Sound the alarms! Mason Miller allowed his first runs of the season on Monday, and if that does not signify that the end is nigh, then I do not know what does.
Just kidding. Miller is in a class of his own as the most unhittable pitcher in the game, striking out 28 batters over 14.1 IP. And his league-leading 10 saves are two more than second place (David Bednar).
Tier 2 – High-End 2026 Fantasy Baseball Closers
- David Bednar, New York Yankees
- Andrés Muñoz, Seattle Mariners
- Cade Smith, Cleveland Guardians
- Ryan Helsley, Baltimore Orioles
- Riley O’Brien, St. Louis Cardinals
- Abner Uribe, Milwaukee Brewers
- Aroldis Chapman, Boston Red Sox
- Louis Varland, Toronto Blue Jays
- Tanner Scott, Los Angeles Dodgers
David Bednar leads the American League with 8 saves as the stopper for the AL juggernaut, New York Yankees.
Bednar looks as filthy as ever, sporting a 10.80 K/9, to go along with a 3.09 ERA and 2.01 FIP. The walks (3.86 BB/9) and inflated BABIP (.389) should regress over time, and Bednar should continue piling up the saves for one of the best teams in baseball.
We seem to finally have clarity on the Blue Jays ninth inning role after manager John Schneider yanked Jeff Hoffman from the job.
Louis Varland recorded 3 saves last week as he looks to firm his grasp on the job and separate himself from any closer-by-committee talk.
Varland sports the third-best FIP in the league this year across his 15 innings, as well as a whopping 13.80 K/9. Varland is typically homer-prone (career 17.2% HR/FB rate), but he has managed to keep the ball in the park this year (0 homers allowed). Closing the door for one of the better teams in the game, if Varland can stay healthy and keep the ball in the yard, he could rank near the top of the 2026 fantasy baseball closer rankings by season’s end. Varland should be rostered universally, and is amongst the top Week 6 priority pickups.
Admittedly, I am more bullish on Tanner Scott‘s fantasy prospects than most. But with Edwin Diaz sidelined for 3 months, the best team in MLB has a gaping hole to fill in their ninth inning job, and Scott looks primed for a takeover.
Although manager Dave Roberts hinted at a committee, Roberts mentioned Scott by name, and wouldn’t you know, Scott has the only Dodgers save since his comments.
The strikeouts (career 11.47 K/9) have yet to come for Scott in 2026 (8.76 K/9), but he has almost halved his walk rate from 2025 (2.84 BB/9 to 1.46 BB/9), and the strikeout artist should soon be piling up the Ks (and saves) in bunches. Even in a committee situation, Scott would retain elite value if he commands the majority of save opportunities, given the Dodgers’ expected win volume.
Tier 3 – Reliable 2026 Fantasy Baseball Closers
- Paul Sewald, Arizona Diamondbacks
- Kenley Jansen, Detroit Tigers
- Bryan Baker, Tampa Bay Rays
- Emilio Pagán, Cincinnati Reds
- Ryan Walker, San Francisco Giants
One of the more surprising starts to date amongst all fantasy baseball relievers, Bryan Baker has capitalized on the early season struggles of Griffin Jax, ranking third in MLB with seven saves.
Baker has the underlying skills to develop into an elite closer, pairing strong strikeout ability (10.32 K/9) with solid control (2.38 BB/9). His advanced metrics back it up as well, with a 2.21 xERA and 2.65 xFIP suggesting his performance is supported by sustainable indicators rather than luck. Baker is (somehow) still available in more than half of Yahoo leagues, so scoop him before it is too late.
One of the murkier bullpen situations from earlier this season has started to come into focus. Ryan Walker has looked more like himself in recent outings, picking up his second and third saves of the year last week against the Dodgers. While the elevated walk rate (4.50 BB/9) remains a concern, he’s done a solid job limiting damage, supported by a respectable 9.00 K/9 and a 3.00 ERA that closely aligns with his 3.06 xERA. If he can rein in the free passes, Walker has a path to holding onto the role all year.
Tier 4 – Volatile 2026 Fantasy Baseball Closers
- Dennis Santana, Pittsburgh Pirates
- Devin Williams, New York Mets
- Lucas Erceg, Kansas City Royals
- Seranthony Domínguez, Chicago White Sox
- Victor Vodnik, Colorado Rockies
What to do with Devin Williams.
Williams’ nightmare first season with the Mets has continued, as he’s allowed eight runs over eight innings (9.00 ERA) while opponents have tagged him for a .378/.465/.541 slash line. There are some reasons for optimism beneath the surface, however, as his 3.25 FIP and 3.07 xFIP suggest better days ahead, driven in part by a gaudy 16.88 K/9 and an unsustainably high .591 BABIP. Still, Williams has shown—dating back to last season with the crosstown rival Yankees—that he can be prone to prolonged stretches of inconsistency. At this point, fantasy managers are simply hoping the storm passes and that their high draft pick doesn’t end up as a major bust.
Tier 5 – Speculative 2026 Fantasy Baseball Closers
- Gus Varland, Washington Nationals
- Jacob Latz, Texas Rangers
- Jack Perkins, Athletics
- Robert Suarez, Atlanta Braves
- Brad Keller, Philadelphia Phillies
- Tyler Phillips, Miami Marlins
- Phil Maton, Chicago Cubs
- Bryan King, Houston Astros
- Sam Bachman, Los Angeles Angels
- Cole Sands, Minnesota Twins
With news of Clayton Beeter‘s forearm injury, Gus Varland appears poised to take over ninth-inning duties for the Nationals. He’s posted a strong 10.32 K/9 and already has two saves on the year, giving him the profile to potentially hold down the role if he performs consistently.
Jacob Latz has thrown his hat into the mix for the Rangers’ closer role, becoming the fourth Texas reliever to record a save this season.
He’s shown excellent command early in 2026, posting a stellar 1.84 BB/9 to go along with a 1.23 ERA and 1.62 xERA across 12 appearances (14.2 IP). He’s also limited quality contact at an elite level, ranking in the 99th percentile in expected batting average allowed. With uncertainty still surrounding the Rangers’ bullpen, Latz has the profile to provide much-needed stability, and is a priority pickup in Week 6.
While he’s thrived in a flexible, rover-type role, the Athletics may not be able to keep Jack Perkins out of the ninth inning for long.
Perkins has shown elite swing-and-miss ability, posting an 11.91 K/9 and a 41.5% chase rate (99th percentile), with a 1.81 FIP supporting the underlying dominance. Although Joel Kuhnel currently leads the team with four saves, this bullpen appears to be trending toward a committee, and Perkins stands out as the most talented option.
The Cubs seem content using Ben Brown in a flexible role as evidenced by his recent usage, so the recently activated Phil Maton looks to be a leading candidate for saves while both Daniel Palencia and Caleb Thielbar recover from injury.
Following Jordan Romano‘s DFA, the Angels now have a clear void in the ninth inning. A committee approach appears to be the most likely short-term solution, though 26-year-old Sam Bachman may hold a slight edge over the rest of the bullpen.
Bachman has posted a 9.20 K/9 and ranks among MLB’s best in expected batting average against, average fastball velocity, average exit velocity allowed, and whiff percentage.
Final Thoughts on 2026 Fantasy Baseball Closer Rankings (Week 6)
The 2026 fantasy baseball closer rankings remain highly dynamic as we move further into the season, with bullpen roles still evolving across much of the league. While a handful of teams are starting to solidify their ninth-inning plans, plenty of situations remain unsettled, keeping fantasy managers on their toes.
Staying competitive in saves means being both proactive and flexible—whether that’s speculating on emerging relievers, navigating unstable committees, or quickly adjusting to changing roles. Bullpen value can shift in a matter of days, and those who consistently track usage trends and act decisively will have the upper hand. Be sure to check back each week for the latest 2026 fantasy baseball closer rankings as we continue to break down every key development and help you stay ahead of the curve.
