Bullpen roles can change overnight. Injuries, trades, performance swings, and managerial decisions can turn a seemingly stable closer situation into a committee before fantasy managers have time to react.
That is why RotoProspects continually updates its Fantasy Baseball Closer Chart, helping fantasy managers track not only the current ninth-inning option, but also the relievers most likely to inherit saves next.
This update focuses on the bullpens that have experienced meaningful changes since our previous chart. The complete team-by-team closer hierarchy—including each team’s backup, next option, dark horse, and Closer of the Future—is available to subscribers.
Morillo has quietly taken over in Arizona
While Brandyn Garcia and Kevin Ginkel have both banked saves for the Diamondbacks this year, it’s Juan Morillo who’s separated himself. He had rattled off 17 consecutive scoreless innings before allowing a game-tying home run Tuesday and has emerged as Arizona’s primary option in the ninth. Justin Martinez may emerge as he continues to work his way back from a second Tommy John surgery. It’s still genuinely a three-man mix — manager Torey Lovullo has shown he’ll go by matchup — but if you’re picking one name in Arizona right now, it’s Morillo.
Two of our “Closer of the Future” picks have arrived early
This is exactly the scenario our Closer of the Future column exists to anticipate — we just didn’t expect it this fast, twice, in the same update.
Edgardo Henriquez has climbed to 1st in line for saves in Los Angeles, right behind Tanner Scott. And in San Diego, Bradgley Rodriguez has moved up to 2nd in line for the Padres. Both were our picks for the pitcher who’d eventually take over the ninth inning down the road — and both are now already pitching in high-leverage spots in September. That’s a good problem to have as an outlet that prides itself on identifying these arms early, but it also means both teams need a new Closer of the Future name, since neither pick is really about “the future” anymore.
Pittsburgh’s committee is over — Montgomery has the job
What was a genuine three-way mix between Mason Montgomery, Luke Weaver, and Gregory Soto has resolved itself. Montgomery has converted 6 of the Pirates’ last 7 save chances and hasn’t allowed a run in 16 consecutive appearances. The asterisks are gone — he’s the guy in Pittsburgh now.
Updated bullpens
Here’s a look at the Fantasy Baseball Closer Chart for the teams listed above (* denotes a committee). For the complete chart, with every team’s Closer of the Future, CLICK HERE and purchase a subscription.
| Team | Current closer | 1st in line | 2nd in line | Dark horse | Closer of the Future |
| Diamondbacks | Juan Morillo* | Brandyn Garcia* | Kevin Ginkel* | Justin Martinez | Yordin Chalas |
| Dodgers | Tanner Scott | Edgardo Henriquez | Jack Dreyer | Evan Phillips | Edgardo Henriquez |
| Padres | Mason Miller | Adrian Morejon | Bradgley Rodriguez | Wandy Peralta | Bradgley Rodriguez |
| Pirates | Mason Montgomery | Luke Weaver | Gregory Soto | Camilo Doval | Reinold Navarro |