Fantasy baseball closer stock watch: O’Brien thriving in St. Louis

Maybe we shouldn’t be so surprised by this St. Louis Cardinals rhp Riley O’Brien Flourishing as near. He earned 15 saves with a 2.29 ERA and 37% strikeout rate for the 2023 Tacoma Rainiers in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, induced several ground balls and allowed only two home runs.

They seattle mariners He already had a strong bullpen, and O’Brien moved to the Cardinals organization, where he flourished for Triple-A Memphis. He didn’t make the Opening Day bullpen in 2025, but once he got a big league chance, the numbers were good. O’Brien posted a 2.10 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in 25⅔ innings after the All-Star break, saving six wins.

It looked like O’Brien would save more games for the Cardinals this season and, after a few first appearances in leverage roles, he went into the ninth inning. Entering Tuesday, O’Brien has claimed a save in four of his last six contests, and has allowed only one single (and hit one batter) among 20 batters he has faced in that span.

Ten pitchers have saved at least four games so far this season. mason miller is the only other man who has not allowed any earned runs (jordan romano Finally, painfully, left this particular group on Monday). It’s also hard to ignore the 75% ground ball rate, which is the highest among right-handed relievers. OK, it’s early and the Cardinals aren’t great, but something is happening here.

imaginary manager O’Brien may have been dismissed in the preseason draft because, after all, he is a 31-year-old journeyman who is still issuing plenty of walks despite emerging last season. He doesn’t have a fancy strikeout rate either. We crave potent strikeout options.

There aren’t many similarities between Miller and O’Brien. O’Brien’s sinker averages 97.5 mph, and he throws the pitch with a slider, 61% of the time. Still, he only allowed two home runs last season and, if he can continue to avoid walks this season, we have a legitimate fantasy option — who should keep earning saves. while he is currently Most Added Relief Pitcher In ESPN leagues, O’Brien is still available in over 50% of them. You know what to do.

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Jacob Junisrhp, Texas Rangers

Junis, 33, bodes well for 2025 cleveland patronBut doesn’t every relief pitcher thrive on that team? A longtime starter who was overlooked by most fantasy managers for good reason, Junis never pitched particularly hard compared to his teammates, never piled on the strikeouts and, even last season, allowed almost one hit per inning. He signed a one-year, $4 million deal in mid-January, with a sense of a sixth inning or longer role being an “afterthought.” Today, he leads the Rangers with three saves, one more than he accumulated during his first nine seasons.

This has happened because L.H.P. robert garcia and rhp chris martin brag 1.83 Matching whip marksAlthough achieved in very different ways. Martin has allowed 11 hits in six innings. Garcia has walked six times in his six frames. Move ahead of them. Junis has allowed very little. rhp cole winn and lhp Jacob Latz They’re also firmly in the picture, and they’ll get a grip, but Junis – I can’t believe this actually happened – may retain this role.

gregory sotoLHP, pittsburgh pirates

This isn’t that surprising, as Soto has been a two-time All-Star. detroit tigersHowever, at that time he was not an imaginary option. Soto saved 30 games in 2022, but with a 3.28 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, and a 2-11 record. His career ERA is 4.19 with a 1.42 WHIP – and that includes his solid starting work for the Pirates, allowing only one run (A) Gunnar Henderson home runs) and 13 strikeouts in 8⅔ innings.

Soto only claims one save (same as RHP). Dennis Santana), but there’s a clear path for both relievers to post some interesting combinations of at least 35 saves/holds. Santana used to be considered “that guy”, but now he’s sharing things. We wouldn’t say you’re adding Soto to your teams with significant confidence, but that matters.

Paul Seewaldrhp, Arizona Diamondbacks

Unlike Soto, who always played hard, Seewald, 36, rarely shines the “closer stuff.” There’s no doubt about his role, as he saved two more wins in Philadelphia this weekend, making it five wins in eight games. Seewald and his 91.3 mph “heater” aren’t exactly inspiring countless ground balls (early small sample caveats apply) and his swinging K rate remains a far cry from where it was during his Mariners days. Still, opportunity is (mostly) everything.

Seewald will eventually walk a hitter and allow a few home runs, but is clear on the way to 30 saves. We should also mention that revived RHP jonathan loaisiga This is the obvious choice for the eighth inning and is next in line for saves. Like Seewald, he’ll eventually give up the walks and home runs, but for now, this surprising 1-2 pairing could help fantasy managers — especially those who have been very slow to buy.

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Edwin Diazrhp, los angeles dodgers

Diaz will probably be fine – no worries here – but, alas, a bad outing over the weekend has people finally concerned about his diminished fastball velocity. Diaz allowed evan carter A two-run home run against the Rangers on Friday. Then, still maintaining a lead of one run, singled to struggle josh jung And Ezequiel Duran Helped save. max munseyDiaz’s third home run of the night gave him the win, but it was ugly.

His four-seam velocity last season was 97.3 mph (down from 99.1 mph in 2022) and this season it is 95.9 mph. Dodgers will be cautious and LHP alex vesia Saturday’s victory is over. Diaz could probably save 35 games on this loaded team with only half a fastball, but watch this situation carefully. Low velocity is often a sign of injury. Vesia, the revived LHP tanner scott (No walks!) and fried RHP blake trainin There are all possible saving options.

David Bednarrhp, New York Yankees

Bednar will probably be OK, too, but what happened to 11 hits in 6⅔ innings, including multiple hits (and a run) in four of five innings? We expected a 2.25 era, no 2.25 whip! People forget that it wasn’t that long ago that Bednar struggled mightily, losing the closer role in Pittsburgh at times during a disappointing 2024 campaign (5.77 ERA, 1.42 WHIP) before bouncing back nicely last season and earning himself a trade to a contending team.

Again, BABIP should be normal (although it is not). Always) and fantasy managers shouldn’t bother with Bednar just yet, especially since the setup RHP camilo doval (who has lost 2 mph off his own fastball) checks in with a 7.36 ERA. But, we remind you again, even top relievers are volatile.

trevor megillrhp, milwaukee brewers

Magill was on many fade lists for this season, as there appeared to be cause for concern for some combination of performance, health and role. Brewers made it clear there could be potential savings from timeshare with RHP abner uribe Was possible. Well, Uribe still hasn’t got a save, but that could change after Magill allowed four runs in Friday’s loss. Washington NationalsNo recording out.

Megill entered the proceedings in a tied game and he soon opened it up, although he barely had a blow. Megill downed one man. Then there was a bunt single, two other sacrifice bunts and an error. Uribe was hit harder on Sunday. Megill and Uribe lead the RP section of ESPN’s most dropped list, but that’s probably an overreaction. Rooster Megill first, although I doubt he’ll reach 30 saves again.