As we take a look at the RotoProspects fantasy baseball rankings and projections, we see that the relief pitcher position remains one of the trickiest to navigate in fantasy baseball. With bullpens constantly in flux, securing a reliable closer can provide stability in the saves category while bolstering strikeouts and ratios.
Here at RotoProspects, we provide 2026 Starting Pitcher Fantasy Baseball Rankings and Projections, broken into tiers. You can check out the entire list of the top 90 relief pitchers broken into tiers by clicking here (subscription required).
Here’s a quick look at the first two tiers.
Tier 1: Triple-digit closers and elite lockdown specialists
1. Mason Miller (SD): Now closing for the Padres, Miller (pictured above) is the gold standard of relief, projected for a staggering 100 strikeouts in just 65 innings. His 103-mph heater and 13.8 K/9 make him the single most dominant force in any bullpen, capable of single-handedly carrying your strikeout and save categories.
2. Edwin Diaz (LAD): “Trumpets” has moved to Hollywood, where he remains a premier source of saves with a projected 36 for the powerhouse Dodgers. While his ERA is slightly higher than Miller’s, his elite 12.4 K/9 and high win probability per appearance keep him firmly in the top tier of stoppers.
3. Cade Smith (CLE): Smith has ascended to the elite tier on the back of incredible command (2.7 BB/9) and a deceptive arsenal that fuels a projected 1.06 WHIP. As the primary anchor for a perennial contender in Cleveland, he provides elite ratios and a safe floor for 30+ saves.
4. Andres Munoz (SEA): Munoz continues to be a nightmare for hitters, pairing a wipeout slider with a high-velocity fastball to produce a projected 33 saves. His 1.12 WHIP and consistent high-leverage usage make him one of the most reliable and durable closers in the American League.
5. Jhoan Duran (PHI): Now the high-leverage king in Philadelphia, Duran brings his signature “splinker” to a team that will provide him with plenty of save opportunities. His projected 2.65 ERA is among the lowest in the league, and his ability to suppress hard contact makes him a premier anchor for your relief core.
| TIER 1 – PROJECTIONS | Age | IP | ERA | W | S | SO | WHIP | K/9 | BB/9 | K/BB |
| 1. Mason Miller, SD | 27 | 65 | 2.27 | 3 | 33 | 100 | 0.98 | 13.8 | 3.5 | 3.9 |
| 2. Edwin Diaz, LAD | 32 | 65 | 2.83 | 4 | 36 | 90 | 1.07 | 12.4 | 3.2 | 3.8 |
| 3. Cade Smith, Cle | 27 | 69 | 2.79 | 5 | 31 | 89 | 1.06 | 11.5 | 2.7 | 4.3 |
| 4. Andres Munoz, Sea | 27 | 63 | 2.68 | 4 | 33 | 81 | 1.12 | 11.4 | 3.7 | 3.1 |
| 5. Jhoan Duran, Phi | 28 | 68 | 2.65 | 5 | 31 | 81 | 1.11 | 10.6 | 2.9 | 3.7 |
Tier 2: High-leverage stoppers and ratio stabilizers
6. Devin Williams (NYM): Bringing the “Airbender” to Queens, Williams looks to reclaim his status as an elite closer after a brief period away from full-time ninth-inning duties. His projected 11.7 K/9 ensures he remains a premier source of strikeouts even if his walk rate occasionally fluctuates.
7. Aroldis Chapman (BOS): The veteran southpaw continues to defy time in Boston, coming off a season where he led all relievers in ERA (1.17) and WHIP (0.70). Even with a projected step back, his 12.5 K/9 and high-leverage experience in a competitive division make him a high-end fantasy asset.
8. David Bednar (NYY): Bednar finds himself in a prime environment in New York, where he is projected to anchor the bullpen for 32 saves. His steady 3.22 ERA and ability to limit baserunners make him a reliable SP2-style stabilizer for managers who miss out on the top five.
9. Josh Hader (HOU): Despite starting the season on the shelf with biceps tendonitis, Hader’s per-inning dominance remains elite with a projected 12.2 K/9. Once healthy, his 1.07 WHIP and history of 30-save seasons make him a high-impact luxury pick for those who can afford the early-season wait.
10. Ryan Helsley (BAL): Now pitching for the Orioles, Helsley provides a high-velocity presence in one of the league’s best bullpens. While his strikeout upside has dipped slightly from his peak, his 29-save projection and high win probability per appearance keep him at the front of the secondary tier.
| TIER 2 – PROJECTIONS | Age | IP | ERA | W | S | SO | WHIP | K/9 | BB/9 | K/BB |
| 6. Devin Williams, NYM | 31 | 64 | 2.95 | 5 | 31 | 84 | 1.13 | 11.7 | 3.8 | 3.1 |
| 7. Aroldis Chapman, Bos | 38 | 60 | 2.86 | 5 | 31 | 84 | 1.14 | 12.5 | 3.9 | 3.2 |
| 8. David Bednar, NYY | 31 | 63 | 3.22 | 4 | 32 | 75 | 1.13 | 10.8 | 3.2 | 3.4 |
| 9. Josh Hader, Hou | 32 | 56 | 3.12 | 4 | 28 | 75 | 1.07 | 12.2 | 3.4 | 3.6 |
| 10. Ryan Helsley, Bal | 31 | 63 | 3.37 | 4 | 29 | 73 | 1.20 | 10.4 | 3.5 | 3.0 |
Get our Full Rankings and Projections for each position
Don’t head into your draft with just a list of names. Our full fantasy baseball rankings projections include C, 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, OF, DH, SP and RP, all organized by tiers and available with a link to an easy-to-print PDF format.