NL Closer Situations: Fantasy Baseball Draft Guide for 2026

We went over closer situations in the American League yesterday and are back today to go over the closer situations in the National League.

I'll be using RosterResource from Fangraphs for the closer projections again.

Fantasy baseball average draft position data can be found on FantasySP. Draft Genius now has custom head-to-head scoring options and on demand AI expert help for every pick.

Braves - Raisel Iglesias

Iglesias is still the Braves' closer, even after the team signed Robert Suarez.

Iglesias' ADP is around pick 115 right now, which is a decent spot. He regressed in 2025 compared to past seasons and his career marks. He could be a draft steal if he bounces back, or a bust if he regresses again or loses the closer role.

I don't mind his ADP, but wouldn't want to take him much earlier than that pick.

Marlins - Pete Fairbanks

Fairbanks is primed to be the new Marlins' closer for 2026. Calvin Faucher and Tyler Phillips are the setup men, and likely next in line for saves.

Fairbanks has been a solid closer for the Rays over the past three years. Miami might just not win enough to support Fairbanks as a fantasy reliever.

His ADP is 152, which makes him a low-risk pick later in fantasy drafts. I like taking Fairbanks, but wouldn't be expecting too much out of him in 2026.

Mets - Devin Williams

Wiliams is the new closer in New York. Luke Weaver is next in line most likely if Williams were to struggle.

Williams struggled with the Yankees in 2025, and lost his closer role. We'll see if he can bounce back in 2026.

Williams' ADP is 90, which isn't terrible, but it's also still pretty early. He could bounce back and be a huge fantasy draft steal, or struggle again and be a bust. It all comes down to how you perceive Williams.

Phillies - Jhoan Duran

Duran is the Phillies' closer now, with Jose Alvarado sliding into a setup role.

Duran was stellar in 2025, and should be in store for another monster season - maybe his best ever.

His ADP is 68. That's an early pick, but I like his upside as much as any of the four relievers being picked before him, so at a later pick, I like the idea of drafting/rostering Duran more.

Nationals - Clayton Beeter or Cole Henry

Beeter and Henry are projected to split the Nationals' closer role.

Not having a go-to closer means both guys will just be deep-league assets, but could work into standard leagues if they grab the closer role full-time and are pitching well.

Neither are on the ADP list, but both are worth tracking if they indeed are the ones getting the save chances. I don't think Washington will win enough to support a go-to closer anyways, but you just never know.

Cubs - Daniel Palencia

Palencia is back as the Cubs' closer for 2026. Phil Maton is maybe next in line for saves.

Palencia earned 22 saves and posted a 2.91 earned run average last season, while averaging more than a strikeout per inning pitched.

His ADP is almost 180, so he's a low-risk pick later in drafts. I like the idea of drafting Palencia, especially if you are lacking in the save department.

Reds - Emilio Pagan

Pagan earned himself the closer role in Cincinnati after how he performed in 2025. Tony Santillan or Graham Ashcraft might be next in line for saves.

Pagan had a 2.88 ERA and 32 saves last season. Cincinnati should be in the playoff mix, giving Pagan a nice outlook for 2026.

His ADP is 148, making him another low-risk pick later in drafts. I really like drafting/rostering Pagan for 2026.

Brewers - Abner Uribe or Trevor Megill

Uribe or Megill could earn saves in Milwaukee, which again deflates the fantasy value of each guy.

Both are capable of being deep-league fantasy assets even if they aren't earning saves, and they could both be standard leaguers if they are truly splitting the closer role.

Megill's ADP is 127, while Uribe is at 164. I like both guys, but more so in deeper leagues, not standard ones. Add whoever steps into the closer role when it happens, or let someone else take the gamble in a fantasy draft.

Pirates - Dennis Santana

Santana is the closer for the Pirates heading into 2026. Gregory Soto or Isaac Mattson could be next in line.

Santana had a 2.18 ERA and 16 saves over 70 appearances last season. He could be in store for more as the full-time closer now, and with the Pirates on the rise.

His ADP is 204, so he's a better deep-league asset to kick off 2026. If Pittsburgh is winning more and Santana is excelling, then he'll be a good standard league option too.

Cardinals - Committee

While most other NL teams have a clear closer, there's absolutely no clear guy in St. Louis. Riley O'Brien, JoJo Romero, Matt Svanson and Ryne Stanek are all projected to be in a closer committee.

Romero and O'Brien are the two St. Louis relievers on the ADP list, but not until picks 244 and 245, respectively. Nobody knows who will close games in St. Louis, and with the team rebuilding and not likely to be very good, none of them are likely to ever get into standard leagues.

The ones that are pitching well and earning occasional saves could be worth deep-league ownership and usage.

Diamondbacks - Paul Sewald

Sewald is back as the D-Backs closer, at least to open the 2026 season. Taylor Clarke and Ryan Thompson could be next in line until the team gets some injured relievers back.

Sewald had some success in the closer role for Arizona a few years back, and now he gets a chance to revive his career in that same role. He had a 4.58 ERA last season, and a 4.31 mark in 2023. Sewald is 35 years old, so regression could keep coming.

He's not on the ADP list, but could at least be a deep-league asset if he's indeed the go-to closer. Arizona should win enough to support him in those leagues, at least.

Rockies - Victor Vodnik

Vodnik is lined up to close games for Colorado, with Jimmy Herget and Juan Mejia as the top setup men.

Vodnik isn't on the ADP list, and that's because the Rockies might not win enough to support him as a fantasy reliever. Pitching in Colorado is never easy either.

Vodnik did post a 3.02 ERA and had about a strikeout per inning pitched, so he could be a deep-league asset at the very least. Keep an eye on Vodnik.

Dodgers - Edwin Diaz

Diaz was signed in free agency to close games for the superteam in LA. Tanner Scott falls back into a setup role, and the team has Alex Vesia and other notable relievers as well.

Diaz is one of the top fantasy relievers when healthy, and he has a sky-high outlook on the best team in the league.

He's the No. 2 fantasy reliever off draft boards though, going near pick 51 right now. If he falls past that pick, I like the idea of adding Diaz. I'm just not one to take fantasy relievers super early, but Diaz is worth being one of the first RPs taken.

Padres - Mason Miller

Miller is the Padres' closer, and the top fantasy reliever going in drafts for 2026. Adrian Morejon and Jeremiah Estrada are very good setup men.

Miller starred after being traded to the Padres at last year's deadline, and he's got a sky-high outlook for 2026.

Miller's ADP is 43. He's worth being one of the first RPs taken in fantasy drafts, but you better really like him to spend that early of a pick on a closer. I'd like drafting him more in the 50s.

Giants - Ryan Walker

Walker will get another crack at the Giants' closer role in 2026. Erik Miller and Jose Butto are other options if Walker struggles or gets injured.

Walker had 17 saves and five wins, but an ugly 4.11 ERA last season. He's looking to bounce back to his 2024 form, when he had 10 wins, 10 saves, a 1.91 ERA and 99 punchouts over 80 innings.

Walker's ADP is 194, so that makes him a late option in standard league drafts, and a good deep-league asset. I'd take the low-risk gamble on Walker and hope he bounces back - if he does, you'll have one of the bigger draft steals on your roster.