Baseball's Best Relief Pitchers: A 2026 Ranking by Buster Olney
The Trade That Shook the League
The 2026 MLB season is upon us, and as spring training kicks off, ESPN's Buster Olney has revealed his highly anticipated annual positional rankings. This year, the spotlight is on relief pitchers, those unsung heroes who enter the game in high-pressure situations. And the top spot goes to...
Mason Miller, the San Diego Padres' ace reliever, who has been dominating batters since his trade from the Athletics. But here's where it gets interesting: the Padres' GM, A.J. Preller, had his eyes on Miller for a while, but it was the inclusion of a young, highly-rated shortstop, Leo De Vries, that sealed the deal. It's rare to see such a prized prospect traded for a reliever, but Preller knew Miller was special.
And special he is. With a fastball that clocks in at over 100 mph, Miller struck out 45 batters in just 83 regular-season appearances after the trade. He was virtually untouchable, allowing opponents to bat a mere .096 against him. And in the playoffs, he continued to shine, striking out eight of nine batters he faced.
But who else made the cut for the top 10? Let's find out.
The Elite 10 Relief Pitchers:
Mason Miller, San Diego Padres: The undisputed number one, Miller's trade story is a fascinating one, and his performance backs it up.
Edwin Diaz, Los Angeles Dodgers: The Dodgers needed a reliable closer, and they found it in Diaz, who had a stellar 2025 season, allowing only 37 hits and striking out 98 in 66⅓ innings.
Jhoan Duran, Philadelphia Phillies: Duran's unique entrance and powerful fastball (100.6 mph) are just part of his appeal. He's a strikeout machine, but his weakness is the running game, allowing 13 steals in 14 innings last season.
Aroldis Chapman, Boston Red Sox: At 37, Chapman is proving age is just a number. He's regained his dominance, allowing a career-low walk rate of 6.6% and boasting an impressive OPS+ of 351.
Cade Smith, Cleveland Guardians: Smith is the epitome of composure, reminiscent of the great Mariano Rivera. He's a strikeout artist with 207 Ks in his first 149 innings.
Andres Munoz, Seattle Mariners: Munoz has been consistently excellent, with four straight seasons of an ERA+ of at least 135. He's a force to be reckoned with, but his walk rate can make for some heart-pounding saves.
Abner Uribe, Milwaukee Brewers: Uribe's funky delivery and breaking pitches make him a batter's nightmare. He had a remarkable first full season, with an ERA+ of 249.
Robert Suarez, Atlanta Braves: Suarez's late MLB debut didn't stop him from becoming a consistent reliever. The Braves invested big in him, signing a three-year, $45 million deal.
Devin Williams, New York Mets: Williams reunites with David Stearns, who witnessed his legendary changeup in Milwaukee. Despite some inconsistency, he's a valuable addition to the Mets.
Josh Hader, Houston Astros: Hader's recent biceps inflammation has him a bit behind, but his career stats are Hall of Fame-worthy, with two seasons of an Adjusted OPS over 300.
Honorable Mentions:
- Garrett Whitlock, Red Sox: Despite a tough playoff performance, Whitlock was a key player in Boston's success.
- Adrian Morejon, Padres: With only 49 hits and two homers allowed in 73⅔ innings, Morejon is a free agent to watch.
- David Bednar, New York Yankees: Bednar's temperament is a perfect fit for New York, even if his stuff isn't the flashiest.
- Bryan Abreu, Astros: Houston may rely on Abreu as a closer at the start of the season.
- Tyler Rogers, Toronto Blue Jays: Rogers' command is remarkable, leading the majors with 81 appearances and walking only seven batters.
- Ronny Henriquez, Miami Marlins: Picked up on waivers, Henriquez had a spectacular season with an ERA+ of 199.
- Brad Keller, Phillies: His success with the Cubs earned him a two-year, $22 million deal with Philadelphia.
- Gabe Speier, Mariners: With the addition of Jose Ferrer, Speier can breathe easier after a busy 2025 season.
- Jeremiah Estrada, Padres: With three players on this list, Stammen's bullpen looks formidable.
- Griffin Jax, Tampa Bay Rays: Though not as dominant as in 2024, Jax still averaged 13.50 strikeouts per nine innings.
- Randy Rodriguez, San Francisco Giants: Despite missing the 2026 season due to injury, Rodriguez's 2025 performance earned him a spot on this list.
The Great Debate:
While the top starting pitcher in baseball may be a topic of debate, there's little doubt about the best reliever. Mason Miller's trade and subsequent performance have solidified his place at the top. But what about the rest of the list? Do you agree with Olney's rankings? Who would you have included or left out? The world of relief pitching is a fascinating one, and these rankings are sure to spark some interesting conversations. Share your thoughts in the comments, and let's discuss!
