15 Best Relief Pitchers in MLB History, Ranked

The presence of an elite reliever is a factor to bear in mind when analyzing baseball playoff odds. Capable of escaping jams and converting narrow leads into wins, the best bullpen arms are able to influence 70-plus regular-season games per year and pitch in most playoff games. 

15 Best Relief Pitchers in MLB History, Ranked

Who Are the Greatest Major League Baseball Relief Pitchers Ever?

1. Mariano Rivera

There was no other candidate for first place. Mariano Rivera is the career leader in saves, games finished, and ERA+. 

He also had a 0.70 postseason ERA with an additional 42 saves, along with five World Series rings. 

2. Trevor Hoffman

Two pitchers in MLB history have more than 500 saves: Rivera and Trevor Hoffman. Hoffman has 601 saves and twice finished as the runner-up in Cy Young voting. 

His success was largely due to his changeup, which was only properly developed after an offseason injury saw him lose fastball velocity. 

3. Josh Hader

Named Reliever of the Year on three occasions and boasting the best K-BB% in MLB history, Josh Hader doesn’t have as many saves as most other pitchers on this list, but he’s still deserving of a top-three placing. 

His slider generates whiffs at a historic rate, which has consistently helped him get out of jams. 

4. Aroldis Chapman

Ninth all-time in K-BB% and third in strikeout rate, Aroldis Chapman’s durability while consistently throwing over 100 mph is almost unique. 

Chapman is an eight-time All-Star and has eight seasons with over 30 saves. 

5. Billy Wagner

Billy Wagner was finally inducted into Cooperstown in 2025. 

The hard-throwing left-hander, who had a 187 ERA+ for his career, was named an All-Star on seven occasions and allowed only six hits per nine innings. 

6. Craig Kimbrel

Only four players have recorded more big-league saves than Craig Kimbrel. The right-hander is sixth all-time in K/9 and received Cy Young votes on five occasions between 2011 and 2017. 

7. Kenley Jansen

Kenley Jansen has 463 career saves and 25 fWAR. He’s a four-time All-Star and has twice been named Reliever of the Year. 

8. Lee Smith

Lee Smith has more career saves than Kimbrel and Jansen, but his ERA (2.98) is significantly higher. 

His K-BB% is also a long way off the other players included in these rankings and he had six seasons with an ERA+ below 120. 

9. Dennis Eckersley

Dennis Eckersley became the first modern closer to win the Cy Young Award in 1992. He earned Cy Young votes in four other seasons and has the ninth-most saves in MLB history.

10. Eric Gagne

The most recent relief pitcher to win the Cy Young, Eric Gagne had an incredibly dominant, yet short-lived, peak between 2002 and 2005. 

His 0.86 FIP in 2003 is one of the most remarkable achievements in baseball history. 

11. Rollie Fingers

Rollie Fingers, sporting his trademark moustache, is a Hall of Famer who won the AL Cy Young and MVP awards in 1981. 

He redefined the role of relief pitcher, playing a pivotal role in the Oakland Athletics’ three-peat.

12. Edwin Diaz

Second to Hader in K-BB% all-time and on course to join the 300-save club, Edwin Diaz has excelled for the Seattle Mariners and New York Mets. 

Diaz has a 2.57 career FIP and has struck out 14.6 batters per nine innings. 

13. Emmanuel Clase

Owner of a 229 ERA+, Emmanuel Clase could climb into the top five of these rankings before he retires. 

The Cleveland Guardians right-hander has led the majors in saves on two occasions and finished third in Cy Young voting in 2024. 

14. John Franco

Seventh all-time in saves, John Franco was named an All-Star on four occasions. 

Unlike others on this list, Franco didn’t rely on high velocity, with his fastball sitting around 90 mph. His circle change, which was often mistaken for a screwball, was his trademark pitch.

15. Joe Nathan

At his peak between 2004 and 2009, Joe Nathan was often priced among the Cy Young contenders in MLB betting. 

During that period, Nathan amassed 35.1 saves per season, 20.2 bWAR, and had a 216 ERA+.