2024 Fantasy Baseball Rankings (NL)

Edwin Diaz was in line for another stellar campaign when a patellar tendon tear ended his season during the World Baseball Classic. We'll just run it back for 2024, though, as Diaz's Statcast page shows that he leads the world in almost every pitching metric. The 29-year-old probably won't come with much of a discount in 2024, and the latest reports are that he is fully healthy. Diaz is a minimal-risk, extremely-high reward reliever.

Camilo Doval finished 2023 tied for the National League lead in saves with 39. He offers an elite mix of offerings, with his slider and cutter leading the way. His strikeout rate is 31.0 percent, xBA is .203, and he is in the 88th percentile of GB% at 52.5. Doval should cross the 35-save mark again in 2024, making him the last of the Tier 1 closers.

Raisel Iglesias finished in the Top 10 in saves with 33 last season. This number might seem low, but the Atlanta Braves didn't have many save opportunities while routinely blowing out opponents. Iglesias remains elite in Chase% (35.4), but batters lit up his fastball and sinker more than in past seasons. Iglesias will remain a Tier 2 closer because of the team he plays for, but look out for that to continue to be a double-edged sword when it comes to saves. There are other relievers with more ratio upside later in the draft.

David Bednar finished 2023 tied for the National League lead in saves. He struck out 80 batters in 67 1/3 innings and had a 222 ERA+, which puts him in the elite tier of relievers just behind Josh Hader, Devin Williams, and Felix Bautista. There isn't much to dislike about Bednar, and as last year proved, a closer doesn't have to be on a good team to rack up saves. The 29-year-old should be going higher in drafts than he is, so take advantage of the discount.

Alexis Diaz finished second in the National League with 37 saves and had a 3.07 ERA and 1.19 WHIP. He also struck out 86 batters in 67 1/3 innings, and he held opponents to an xBA of .192. The knocks against Diaz are that he was in the sixth percentile in BB% at 12.6, and he pitches in Cincinnati, which always feels like playing with fire. The 27-year-old is a step away from being in the upper tier of closers, but he will provide plenty of saves if you can tolerate the walks.

Evan Phillips appeared in 62 games for the Dodgers in 2023. He struck out 66 in 61 1/3 innings and finished with a sparkling 2.05 ERA and 0.83 WHIP. While his xFIP of 3.37 suggests he benefited from some luck, his 28.2 K% also says he is good in his role. While it seems appealing to grab the L.A. closer, beware of the "Blowout Wins" issue that sometimes drags down save totals. Still, Phillips isn't going to hurt you as a second closer on your roster.

Ryan Helsley had a shortened season due to injury, appearing in only 33 games before being shut down. When healthy, his strikeout rate continued at an elite rate (35.6 K%), and he sits above 99 mph with his fastball. Helsley mightily struggled with walks (4.17 BB/9), reminiscent of his pre-2022 profile. He should enter the season as the Cardinals closer and could touch 30 saves if his health allows it.

 

 

Paul Sewald split time in Seattle and Arizona last season, racking up 34 saves between the two clubs. Sewald's stuff is the real deal, with a K% of 32.1, xERA of 2.75, and xBA of .189. He walked more batters than his career average, but he has the makeup of a solid closer for a competitive squad in 2024. Fantasy managers should expect around 30 saves from the veteran.

 

 

 

 

Devin Williams is going to miss at least three months of the season due to a stress fracture in his back. The injury news makes him a late-round draft-and-hope option. He saved 36 games in 2023 and struck out 87 in 58 2/3 innings. He had a sparkling ERA of 1.53, though this was somewhat misleading, with an xERA of 2.75 and an xFIP of 2.79. Williams consistently gives up more walks than fantasy managers would like, but we forgive him due to his 99th percentile K% (37.7 in 2023). Even with the walks, he finished with a 0.92 WHIP.