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Buster Olney
Multiple Authors
With spring training camps starting, it’s time to assess the baseball landscape. As part of our 2026 MLB season preview, ESPN’s Buster Olney consulted industry insiders for his annual ranking of the top 10 players at each position.
Today, we spotlight the elite relievers.
This ranking focuses solely on the best players for the upcoming 2026 season, rather than projecting who may excel in five years or over their entire careers. We will release one position ranking each day over the next two weeks. The lineup is as follows: starting pitchers (Monday), catchers (Wednesday), first basemen (Thursday), second basemen (Friday), third basemen (Feb. 23), shortstops (Feb. 24), corner outfielders (Feb. 25), center fielders (Feb. 26), and designated hitters (Feb. 27).
The Padres inquired about Mason Miller’s availability with the Athletics during the 2024 season, and again last June. As Padres GM A.J. Preller noted in a recent talk, there wasn’t much progress towards a deal. yet, just a week prior to the trade deadline, with A’s GM David Forst discussing Miller with several teams, Preller indicated a willingness to include 19-year-old shortstop Leo De Vries, recognized as one of baseball’s premier prospects.
Usually, executives are hesitant to part with top position players for relievers. Preller, however, felt this situation was different. “When you’re discussing someone like Mason Miller,” he stated, “everything should be on the table.”
Forst had primarily focused on a pitching-centered structure for a potential Miller trade, but his strategy soon pivoted. “Leo was a game-changer,” he reflected.
With the framework of a deal established, the two parties finalized the trade, and in the season’s final two months, Miller performed beyond the Padres’ expectations, striking out 45 of the 83 batters he faced in the regular season. After joining the Padres, opponents hit just .096 against him. During San Diego’s playoff series against the Cubs, he struck out eight of the nine batters he faced, hitting the only batter he didn’t fan. His average fastball velocity of 101.2 mph led all relievers last season.
The debate over who the top starting pitcher in baseball is may be contentious. yet, when it comes to relievers, there’s little doubt about who holds the top spot.
Top 10 relief pitchers
1. Mason Miller, San Diego Padres
Preller first met Miller while he was in college, before the A’s drafted him in the third round in 2021. Beyond Miller’s physical abilities, his leadership qualities stood out to Preller. Though this isn’t typical for relievers, the Padres have a history with that, with Hall of Famer Trevor Hoffman and, more recently, Craig Stammen, who Preller appointed as manager. Preller noted that they began to observe Miller’s leadership in the latter part of last season.
2. Edwin Diaz, Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers cycled through twelve relievers for their 46 saves last season due to injuries and inconsistencies. Their response? They outbid everyone this offseason for the best available reliever. Diaz enjoyed his second-best career season last year, allowing just 37 hits and striking out 98 across 66⅓ innings, while holding opponents to a .502 OPS.
3. Jhoan Duran, Philadelphia Phillies
Duran’s strikingly tall entrance style and his powerful pitches (with an average fastball of 100.6, the second-fastest in the league) mask the challenges hitters face when going up against him. He struck out 80 batters in 70 innings and walked only one across 20 innings with the Phillies, not to mention posting an incredible groundball rate of 65%, the highest for any reliever. His weakness lies in base stealing: he allowed 13 steals in just 14 innings last year.
4. Aroldis Chapman, Boston Red Sox
Chapman exhibited improved command of his fastball in the inner part of the plate for the first time in his career, regaining the dominance he had in his early years. Now at 37, he recorded the lowest walk rate of his career (6.6%), achieving an astonishing OPS+ of 351. The Red Sox negotiated a $13.3 million extension with him late in the regular season, which might prove to be one of the best bargains for the coming season.
5. Cade Smith, Cleveland Guardians
Following Emmanuel Clase’s leave last year, the Guardians couldn’t have asked for a better backup than Smith, who embodies the calm demeanor reminiscent of Mariano Rivera. Regardless of the situation, he presents the same composure to opposing hitters. If baseball doesn’t pan out for him, Smith could easily fit the role of a royal guard. He boasts 207 strikeouts over his first 149 career innings.
6. Andres Munoz, Seattle Mariners
Munoz has recorded four consecutive years with an ERA+ of at least 135, with last season marking his finest yet: he struck out 83 batters across 62⅓ innings and held opponents to a .493 OPS. While his saves can be intense due to an 11% walk rate, he allowed only two home runs across 64 regular-season appearances.
7. Abner Uribe, Milwaukee Brewers
Uribe posted an impressive ERA+ of 249 in his first full MLB season, with his unorthodox delivery and sharp breaking balls making him a nightmare for hitters. Last season, right-handed batters recorded a .211 average against him, with a .268 on-base percentage, while lefties struggled even more, allowing just one home run and recording a .171 average in 132 plate appearances.
8. Robert Suarez, Atlanta Braves
Suarez made his major league debut post-31 and has solidified himself as one of the most reliable relievers in baseball over four seasons, prompting Atlanta to invest in a three-year, $45 million deal to bolster their bullpen.
9. Devin Williams, New York Mets
Williams transitions to the Mets while reuniting with David Stearns, who oversaw Milwaukee’s operations when Williams’ changeup became legendary. Williams faced inconsistency during his stint with the Yankees, leading to his quality fluctuating. yet, he surrendered earned runs in only two of his last 19 regular-season outings.
10. Josh Hader, Houston Astros
Hader fell a few spots due to recent reports indicating he’s lagging in his throwing regimen because of biceps inflammation, leaving uncertainty about his return to the Houston bullpen. His last appearance was on August 8, 2025. At just 31, Hader is already making a solid case for Hall of Fame recognition due to his extraordinary performances, highlighted by two seasons where his Adjusted OPS exceeded 300 and 282 hits allowed over 512⅓ innings throughout his first nine seasons.
Honorable mentions
Garrett Whitlock, Red Sox: Whitlock’s self-reflection on his playoff performance during spring training was evident, yet Boston likely wouldn’t have advanced as far without his contributions.
Adrian Morejon, Padres: He gave up only 49 hits and two homers in 73⅔ innings and will enter free agency after the upcoming season.
David Bednar, New York Yankees: Bednar may not have the strongest stuff, but his composure suits the New York spotlight perfectly.
Bryan Abreu, Astros: Houston may find themselves needing Abreu in a closing role right at the start of the upcoming season.
Tyler Rogers, Toronto Blue Jays: Rogers displayed remarkable command last season, leading the majors with 81 appearances while only walking seven batters. Right-handed bats faced him 155 times, drawing just one walk and hitting one home run.
Ronny Henriquez, Miami Marlins: Miami picked up Henriquez off waivers from the Twins last February, and he went on to have a standout season, posting an ERA+ of 199.
Brad Keller, Phillies: Keller’s successful run with the Cubs last year led the Phillies to secure a two-year, $22 million contract with him.
Gabe Speier, Mariners: Seattle brought in Jose Ferrer in an offseason trade, easing the pressure on Speier, who appeared in 76 games during the regular season and seven more in playoffs.
Jeremiah Estrada, Padres: After Suarez’s departure as a free agent, Estrada emerges as the third Padre in this list. Stammen’s bullpen in his debut season as manager is set to be outstanding.
Griffin Jax, Tampa Bay Rays: even if he wasn’t as dominant last year compared to 2024, he still recorded an average of 13.50 strikeouts per nine innings and improved post his midseason acquisition by Tampa Bay.
Randy Rodriguez, San Francisco Giants: Expected to miss all of 2026 following elbow surgery, Rodriguez earned a mention here for his impressive performance last year.
