Fantasy baseball is my favorite time of the year. It’s the most in-depth fantasy sport you can get. Maybe the NHL gets close to it, but it isn’t Major League Baseball.

3 batter minimum? Come on now, this isn’t fun for us. For now, forget middle relief. Nobody actually knows the impact this will have yet and it WILL have some. Yes, now you’re going to need an actual legit sure-fire closer to lock that save category up. Who is it? What round? Find out Kenny’s Top Fantasy Baseball Closers in 2020 now.

Top Baseball Fantasy Closers 2020

Don’t punt on closers. In category scoring, saves are forgotten all too often. I’ll bet if you’re coming up short yearly this is the column you aren’t thinking about. So think about it. Stop losing, losing isn’t cool.

My first pick has a great hairstylist and a 96 MPH fastball. No, not Bryce Harper even though his hair is fabulous. Ok, I can hear the groans. Keep it up, I’ll write a whole piece about those flowing locks.

Josh Hader, Milwaukee Brewers

Josh Hader, my #1 pick in Top Fantasy Baseball Closers 2020″ class=”wp-image-1034″/>

It’s round 6, you have 2 aces and 3 great bats. Your scoring says you need some saves. Just go ahead and take the best fantasy closer in the game, Josh Hader. The Brew Crew leans heavily on the 25-year-old stud to not only shut the door but slam it in their face. 37 saves in 2019 got him to a third-place finish (Tied with Aroldis Chapman) on that list, but he should be first on yours. Don’t kid yourself, half the people in your league want him. It’s okay to take him in round 6.

Kirby Yates, San Diego Padres

Kirby Yates, San Diego Padres in his windup” class=”wp-image-1035″/>

Someone took Hader and sniped you, didn’t they? It’s okay. The Pads locked in closer Kirby Yates is a fine pick. Leading the league in saves (41) last year he should definitely be top 3 again. 32 years young and I’m going to take him in round 6 or 7. 2019 he really stepped into the role with Brad Hand going to Cleveland.

Roberto Osuna, Houston Astros

Roberto Osuna warming up in the Bullpen” class=”wp-image-1036″/>

Nope, not going here. We all have our opinions on the Astros now world-famous cheating scandal from 2017. There isn’t any way of knowing if Gerrit Cole is saving face for his former team or if the Astros were legit in 2019, but he still notched 38 saves for second best in the show. Unless you’re an Astros fan, I’m staying away. If he’s still there after round 8 and I haven’t grabbed a closer that’s when I’d take him. The Astros will bounce back but what will Osuna be walking into each game?

Aroldis Chapman, New York Yankees

The stingiest man in the Bronx. At 6’4” he’d certainly give me the chills if I’m trying to bring my team back into a game. Sharing 37 saves with Josh Hader ties him at third in 2019. Yes, he’s top tier. No, you’re aren’t going to pick him after round 8 because he won’t be there.

Brad Hand, Cleveland Indians

Cleveland is currently wondering what the future holds. Are they rebuilding? Are they clearing the farm and going for it all? The one box that’s checked is closer. Hand came in fifth on saves in 2019 (34) but because of the uncertainty within the organization, I’m not confident this year. Round 10 or after, he’s your guy.

Keone Kela, Pittsburgh Pirates

Here it is, my sleeper pick. Late rounds, unless your opponents are heavy players, Kela should be there. We all know what happened to Felipe Vázquez toward the end of the 2019 season. Kela is opening the season as the closer for the Bucs. Now let’s be real, the Bucs aren’t that good. Kela will still get 20+ save opportunities. Outside of implosion on the bump, the 26-year-old is the best they have for it and he’s got the job.

Got The Job

Héctor Neris, Philadelphia Phillies

Kenley Jansen, Los Angles Dodgers

Raisel Iglesias, Cincinnati Reds

Who Knows?

Shane Greene shown mid-windup” class=”wp-image-1040″/>

The Braves have an issue. They have quality guys to slam the window on someone’s fingers. The problem is, who? Will Smith and Shane Greene were smothered by their old teams and not given much of a chance with stale scoring. Greene pretty much melted down when tasked with Atlanta’s job. Mark Melancon stepped in and took the helm. Now, all 3 are there. They’re likely wondering like we are. I’ll wait with the rest of the fantasy world to see who’s standing on the hill in the 9th for Atlanta.

You can give me a follow on Twitter @KennyYake and for all of my upcoming fantasy articles Belly Up Fantasy Sports.