This season, ESPN fantasy managers made Seattle Mariners RHP Andres Munoz one of many first 10 reduction pitchers chosen on draft day. Nonetheless, few anticipated him to carry out at fairly this unbelievable degree. Roughly one-third of the MLB season is now full, and Munoz not solely leads the majors in saves (tied with the San Diego Padres RHP Robert Suarez), however he has but to allow an earned run. That is proper, as we strategy June, 40 pitchers have saved three or extra video games, and Munoz is the one one with a spotless 0.00 ERA!
Because of this, it appears slightly apparent to bestow our made-up “Reliever MVP award for the primary two months of the 2025 season” to Seattle’s most interesting, as Munoz plows towards his second consecutive All-Star recreation. He’s effectively on his solution to breaking his private document for saves, set final season when he had 22. He’s already at 17 and the Mariners lead the AL West. Munoz, with a 2.38 profession ERA, a 1.01 WHIP and a very good Okay price, has at all times been a fantasy favourite (regardless of quite a lot of IL stints), however at the moment he certain seems to be like baseball’s prime reduction pitcher.
Seattle’s bullpen enters Tuesday with a 3.43 ERA, tenth within the league, though that determine can mislead as non-leverage pitchers are likely to have an effect on the quantity. What actually issues are how the highest choices carry out. Save and maintain shares matter, too. Munoz boasts all however one of many Mariners saves. RHPs Carlos Vargas and Gabe Speier lead in holds, with Speier being the popular fantasy choice attributable to his Okay price. Watch RHP Matt Brash, too. Now wholesome after lacking all of 2024, the electrical Brash (107 Okay in 2023!) has thrown six scoreless innings since making his latest 2025 debut.
Munoz leads all pure reduction pitchers (Kansas Metropolis Royals LHP Kris Bubic boasts twin eligibility) in ESPN customary fantasy factors. For perspective, a mere 11 beginning pitchers have outscored him. It has been fairly a powerful begin. Final season, Cleveland Guardians RHP Emmanuel Clase and St. Louis Cardinals RHP Ryan Helsley completed among the many top-10 pitchers in scoring. They permitted earned runs, although. Can Munoz make it by six full months of perfection? We will see!
As I proceed to make up the foundations for deciding fantasy MVP awards, we are likely to focus extra on draft day bargains than those that have been anticipated to hold fantasy rosters. As a mid-draft choice, Munoz qualifies, however for these in search of reduction pitchers who have been removed from coveted on draft day, New York Yankees RHP Luke Weaver, Royals RHP Carlos Estevez and Cincinnati Reds RHP Emilio Pagan all deserve credit score — and extra consideration in leagues. Every is among the many top-10 scorers amongst relievers, and every stays fairly out there in customary leagues.
For the extra adverse/pessimistic readers on the market, there are made-up Least Priceless Pitcher (LVP) awards as effectively. Primarily based on outcomes from common stay drafts, Yankees RHP Devin Williams appears to be the clear winner for this doubtful honor. Williams, he of the profession 1.83 ERA getting into this season, has a 6.16 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP for his new staff, with solely 4 saves. Nonetheless, let’s not overlook eight consecutive scoreless outings, and 13 strikeouts towards 28 hitters over that span. Weaver has pitched magnificently, however each he and Williams could be top-10 fantasy reduction pitchers for the remainder of the season, no matter who earns the saves.
Inventory rising
Daniel Palencia, RHP, Chicago Cubs: Palencia, 25, boasts Chicago’s three most up-to-date saves over the previous week. He might maintain onto the ninth-inning position for some time. Palencia, who saved video games within the minors and made his 2025 debut in mid-April, pitched effectively sufficient to earn a setup position. Then, with RHP Ryan Pressly nonetheless struggling and RHP Porter Hodge (indirect) on the IL, he moved into the nearer position every week in the past. Palencia reaches 100 mph together with his fastball, though management and the lure of issuing free passes have been an issue for years. This does not make Palencia so distinctive amongst closers, although. He ought to pile on the saves.
Jason Adam, RHP, San Diego Padres: Whereas Suarez stays in agency management of San Diego’s ninth innings, Adam has loved the superior statistical season together with his 1.35 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 28.8% Okay price. Oh, and Adam boasts a 5-0 document, which is not so predictive, however most fantasy managers like wins. Adam has simply as a lot of them as Detroit Tigers LHP Tarik Skubal and two greater than Pittsburgh Pirates RHP Paul Skenes. Adam is a top-10 reliever in fantasy factors, only one maintain off the MLB lead. He needs to be far more standard in fantasy leagues.
Will Vest, RHP, Detroit Tigers: It is nonetheless a relative committee bullpen strategy for A.J. Hinch’s league-leading Tigers, however Vest is the one with three of the staff’s 5 saves in Might (and three wins!). He additionally leads Detroit relievers in fantasy factors for 2025. Vest, 29, hasn’t permitted an earned run in Might, and he’s holding left-handed hitters to an general .352 OPS (they’re 3-for-33 off him!). Do not be upset if RHP Tommy Kahnle or one other Tiger saves a recreation occasionally, however Vest is the one to focus on today in fantasy.
Abner Uribe, RHP, Milwaukee Brewers: Whereas RHP Trevor Megill leads Milwaukee with 10 saves in 11 possibilities, Uribe is having the higher season. He leads baseball with 14 holds, and whereas they are not saves, holds do matter in ESPN customary (factors) leagues. Uribe boasts a 32.4% strikeout price, prime 20 amongst certified reduction pitchers. Walks is usually a downside, however then once more, Megill walked a trio of Pink Sox (although one deliberately) in Monday’s nail-biting win. It could hardly be a shock to see Uribe dealing with ninth inning work this season.
Inventory falling
Shelby Miller, RHP, Arizona Diamondbacks: Nicely, that did not take lengthy. Miller, the main focus of our most up-to-date weblog on reduction pitchers, enters Tuesday having not pitched in a recreation for a full week. That is an issue for fantasy managers looking for quantity. The opposite problem is that RHP Justin Martinez (shoulder) returned from his latest IL stint and appeared in two high-leverage conditions in that span. Martinez is the higher pitcher, and comes extra really useful for fantasy, however well being stays a priority. Miller hasn’t been essentially dangerous because the nearer, however it’s exhausting to inform if he really nonetheless is the nearer.
Mason Miller, RHP, Athletics: Miller is clearly the nearer right here and one of many prime choices from draft day, however his buyers aren’t having fun with his 5.79 ERA and 1.39 WHIP. Miller hurled in all three of the A’s weekend video games towards the Philadelphia Phillies, allowing 4 hits and three earned runs on Friday and blowing the save due to a Max Kepler house run on Saturday, earlier than efficiently ending off Sunday’s win. It’s uncommon for any pitcher to carry out on three consecutive days — particularly one who is just within the bullpen as a result of he could not preserve wholesome within the rotation. However, whereas the numbers and maybe utilization concern us, Miller remains to be somebody to focus on. He leads all pitchers with a 44.4% strikeout price and his excessive .419 BABIP ought to normalize. Let’s simply hope he stays wholesome.
Dennis Santana, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates: Pittsburgh’s prime reduction pitcher is incomes solely a number of the save possibilities as a result of RHP David Bednar is a two-time All Star with 89 profession saves to his credit score. Maybe the Pirates want to store the costly Bednar in a mid-season commerce. Bednar options an unpleasant 5.17 ERA with a 1.60 WHIP and, whereas he has two of the staff’s most up-to-date three saves, he’s nonetheless exhibiting few indicators of being, effectively, beneficial. Santana boasts seven consecutive scoreless outings, and he has struck out seven of the previous 13 hitters he confronted. Oh effectively! The very best relievers do not at all times get the saves, and it is not just like the Pirates current their pitchers with a lot of them anyway. Maybe fantasy managers ought to look anyplace apart from Pittsburgh.
