These Three Setup Men Are Going to Be Closing Games by August: The Data That Says So

There's a special sauce that showcases how these three closers cook: K:BB rate, swinging-strike percentage, and leverage usage.

In short, limiting pitch count in high-pressure situations to strikes that fool opposing batters. It's a winning combination that promotes seventh-inning relievers into featured closers across the board.

This isn't to say that designated closers are willfully giving up their coveted ninth-inning posts. Injuries, performance risk, and potential trades can put a closer's role in jeopardy at this point in the MLB season. And that has opened the door for relievers like Abreu, Adam, and Sterner to showcase the tools to transition to mid-season closers.

Bryan Abreu: The Astros Setup Man Built for the Ninth

Don't let the inflated ERA fool you. Abreu has the elite skillset all setup men need. The Astros reliever has adjusted from an uneven start to the season, and now has an elite 28.7% strikeout rate and a 33.7% whiff rate. He's averaging just 18.8 pitches through 22.1 innings pitched, and has tallied four saves with zero blown saves this season.

Houston has a closer problem, since Josh Hader missed the first two months of the 2026 campaign due to tendinitis in his elbow. Abreu is the prime candidate to balance out closing duties. Which equates to more appearances and more fantasy output.

Jason Adam: The Padres Arm Ready to Step Up Behind Mason Miller

Miller is getting all the flowers right now, but Adam has been equally important as the setup connoisseur. He has an elite chase rate (36.3%) and whiff rate (29.6%), plus a 16:6 K:BB ratio. Adam is also incredibly efficient, averaging just 14.7 pitches per inning through 26 innings.

We aren't saying that Adam is going to take over primary closing duties; that would be silly. However, Miller has been vocal about his heavy workload impacting how effective he can be. And San Diego does have a history of elevating elite relievers to ninth-inning game-savers.

In that case, Adam is a candidate to help Miller shoulder that workload.

Justin Sterner: The Athletics Breakout Setup Man

Sterner's ascension to late-inning dominance actually started in the second half of last season, and he has honed his underlying skills in 2026. His chase rate (37.2%), whiff rate (30.0%), and K:BB ratio (29:7) are all top-notch, and he is averaging just 15.9 pitches per inning through 31.0 innings. He also got his career save on June 3 against the Cubs in Chicago, securing the win in a high-pressure 10th inning.

The Athletics' bullpen is volatile, to say the least. Manager Mark Kotsay is using a "closer-by-committee" method, rotating in different closer candidates depending on the game situation. Even with Scott Barlow and Mark Leiter Jr. seeing most of the action, Sterner could force his way into the closing role.

Fantasy Strategy: Why You Must Roster These Three Now

These three relievers are on course to become closers, so savvy fantasy managers should make their moves now. Abreu, Adam, and Sterner can be bought at low costs in June, and we suggest adding them as handcuffs in all league formats. The trade deadline will alter values for relievers, and all three are susceptible to market value increases. Owners should monitor these incumbent closers and stay ahead of the MLB's bullpen movements to secure fantasy upside in the final months of the season.

Questions About Setup Men, Answered

Which setup men are most likely to close in 2026 fantasy baseball?

Bryan Abreu, Jason Adam, and Justin Sterner are identified as setup men who could inherit closing roles later in the 2026 season based on their effectiveness in high-leverage situations and strong underlying metrics.

Why should fantasy managers roster setup men now?

These relievers can provide value before earning saves. Adding them now allows fantasy managers to benefit from their production while positioning themselves for potential increases in value if they move into closing roles.

What metrics predict a setup man becoming a closer?

The article highlights K:BB rate, swinging-strike percentage, and leverage usage as key indicators that a setup reliever may be capable of transitioning into a closing role.

How do you use setup men as fantasy baseball handcuffs?

Fantasy managers can roster elite setup men behind established closers as insurance against injuries, performance declines, or role changes that could create save opportunities.

When will these three setup men likely take over closing duties?

The article suggests they could inherit closing opportunities by August as teams navigate injuries, workload concerns, performance issues, and potential trade-deadline changes.

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This story was originally published June 9, 2026 at 5:19 PM.