A Closer Look at Some of the Best Relievers in MLB
Relief pitchers are the unsung heroes of baseball. They come in during high-pressure situations and are tasked with shutting down the opposing team’s offense. A great closer can single-handedly win a game, while a bad one can just as easily lose it. With that in mind, we’re going to take a look at some of the best relievers in MLB.
The MLB is a place where one day, a pitcher can be on top of the world, and the next day, they can be struggling to find their footing. Relief pitchers are often the most volatile players in the league. One bad outing can raise a closer’s ERA through the roof, and it can take a long time for that number to come back down to earth. This makes ranking the best relievers in the game a very difficult task.
The amount of turnover at the closer position in any given season is incredible. Look at Daniel Bard, Michael Fulmer, and Kendall Graveman. They were all primary closers for their respective teams at the start of the 2023 season, but now no longer hold that position. The game is constantly evolving and new stars are emerging all the time.
There are many different factors to consider when ranking relievers. ERA is one important metric, but it’s not the only one. Strikeouts per nine innings, walks per nine innings, and WHIP are also important factors. The best relievers are those who can consistently get outs when the game is on the line. They do this by throwing strikes, limiting walks, and generating swings and misses.
- Relief pitchers are the unsung heroes of baseball, tasked with shutting down the opposing team’s offense in high-pressure situations.
- Ranking the best relievers in MLB is challenging due to the volatility of the position and the constant evolution of the game.
- Key factors to consider when evaluating relievers include ERA, strikeouts per nine innings, walks per nine innings, and WHIP.
- Top relief pitchers for the 2024 season include elite closers like Edwin Díaz, Josh Hader, and Emmanuel Clase, known for their dominant performances and impressive pitching arsenal.
MLB’s Top Relief Pitchers
Here are some of the top relief pitchers in MLB for the 2024 season, broken down by tiers.
Tier 1: Elite Closer
These are the closers who are considered the best in the game. They have a proven track record of success and are able to dominate hitters at the highest level.
- Edwin Díaz (New York Mets) – Díaz is one of the most dominant relievers in the game. He possesses a devastating fastball and a slider that breaks sharply.
- Josh Hader (San Diego Padres) – Hader is another elite closer who has been dominant throughout his career. He throws a heavy fastball and a slider that is one of the best pitches in the game.
- Emmanuel Clase (Cleveland Guardians) – Clase is a young reliever who has quickly become one of the best closers in the game. He throws a fastball that reaches triple digits and a slider that has a lot of movement.
- Camilo Doval (San Francisco Giants) – Doval is a rising star who has quickly become a dominant force in the Giants bullpen. He throws a fastball that reaches triple digits and a slider that is very difficult to hit.
Tier 2: Proven Closer
These are the closers who are very good but might not have the same level of dominance as the Tier 1 closers. They are still able to get outs consistently and are considered to be among the best in the game.
- Raisel Iglesias (Atlanta Braves) – Iglesias is a veteran closer who has been very successful throughout his career. He throws a fastball that reaches triple digits and a slider that has a lot of movement.
- Andrés Muñoz (Seattle Mariners) – Muñoz is a young reliever with a lot of potential. He throws a fastball that reaches triple digits and a slider that has a lot of movement.
- Alexis Díaz (Cincinnati Reds) – Díaz is a young reliever who has quickly become a dominant force in the Reds bullpen. He throws a fastball that reaches triple digits and a slider that is very difficult to hit.
- Evan Phillips (Los Angeles Dodgers) – Phillips is a young reliever who has a devastating fastball and a slider that breaks sharply. He has quickly become a dominant force in the Dodgers bullpen.
- David Bednar (Pittsburgh Pirates) – Bednar is a young reliever who has quickly become a dominant force in the Pirates bullpen. He throws a fastball that reaches triple digits and a slider that has a lot of movement.
Tier 3: Emerging Closer
These are the closers who are still trying to establish themselves as reliable options. They have shown flashes of brilliance but need to prove that they can consistently perform at a high level.
- Bryan Abreu (Houston Astros) – Abreu was one of the most dominant non-closer relievers in 2023. He registered a 1.75 ERA in 72 games with 5 saves. He is a rising star and has the potential to be a dominant closer in the near future.
- Clay Holmes (New York Yankees) – Holmes is a veteran reliever who has had a resurgence in 2024. He throws a fastball that reaches triple digits and a slider that has a lot of movement. He is considered to be one of the best closers in the game.
- Ryan Helsley (St. Louis Cardinals) – Helsley is a young reliever who has quickly become a dominant force in the Cardinals bullpen. He throws a fastball that reaches triple digits and a slider that is very difficult to hit.
- Aroldis Chapman (New York Yankees) – Chapman is a veteran closer who has been very successful throughout his career. He throws a fastball that reaches triple digits and a slider that has a lot of movement. He is considered to be one of the best closers in the game.
- Kenley Jansen (Boston Red Sox) – Jansen is a veteran closer who has been very successful throughout his career. He throws a fastball that reaches triple digits and a slider that has a lot of movement. He is considered to be one of the best closers in the game.
Who is the Greatest Closer in Major League Baseball History?
There are many great closers in MLB history, but the one name that always comes up when this question is asked is Mariano Rivera.
Rivera spent his entire 19-year career with the New York Yankees, and his consistency and dominance on the mound set him apart. He was known for his signature cutter, a pitch that he threw with such precision and control that it was virtually unhittable. In addition to his dominance, Rivera was also a model of professionalism and sportsmanship. He was universally respected by his opponents and teammates, and he was a true role model for young players.
Other great closers who deserve to be mentioned include Lee Smith, Bruce Sutter, Trevor Hoffman, Rollie Fingers, and Billy Wagner. These pitchers all had long and successful careers and were some of the best closers in their respective eras. However, Rivera’s dominance, longevity, and impact on the game make him the clear choice for the greatest closer of all time.
The Importance of the Closer
The closer is a vital part of any successful baseball team. They are responsible for shutting down the opposing team’s offense in the late innings. A great closer can single-handedly win a game, and a bad one can just as easily lose it.
The closer is often the most high-pressure role on a baseball team. They are often called upon to get the final three outs of the game, and they need to be able to handle the pressure of the situation. A closer needs to be able to throw strikes, limit walks, and generate swings and misses when the game is on the line.
The Future of Relief Pitching
The future of relief pitching is very exciting. There are a lot of young and talented relievers coming up through the ranks, and they are constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible. With the increasing popularity of analytics and the focus on pitching efficiency, we are likely to see even more dominant relievers emerge in the years to come.
We are entering a new era of relief pitching, and it is one that is full of promise and potential. With the increasing use of analytics and the focus on pitching efficiency, we are likely to see even more dominant relievers emerge in the years to come. The future of relief pitching is bright, and it will be exciting to see how the game evolves in the years to come.
