Closer Monkey simplifies bullpen tracking by breaking down each MLB team's bullpen into a clear, three-tier hierarchy: * **The Closer:** The primary pitcher designated for ninth-inning save opportunities. * **Set-Up:** The primary eighth-inning reliever who is typically next in line for saves if the closer is unavailable. * **Next-in-Line:** The third-tier reliever who could step into a high-leverage role due to injuries, fatigue, or performance issues. In addition to their clean, easy-to-read depth charts, Closer Monkey provides daily updates detailing bullpen usage, injuries, and performance trends. They also offer a popular email alert system that notifies subscribers the moment a closer is injured, benched, or traded, giving fantasy managers a crucial head start on the waiver wire. ## Top Alternative MLB Bullpen Depth Charts While Closer Monkey is an excellent tool for quick reference, combining it with other sports databases and fantasy platforms provides a more complete picture of MLB bullpens.
### RosterResource on FanGraphs For sheer depth of information, RosterResource (hosted on FanGraphs) is the gold standard. Their bullpen depth charts go far beyond a simple three-man hierarchy. RosterResource displays the entire active bullpen, color-coded by role (closer, setup, middle relief, long relief). Crucially, RosterResource tracks recent usage, showing exactly how many pitches each reliever has thrown over the last five days. This data is invaluable for predicting who will be available on any given night. ### FantasyPros Bullpen Depth Chart FantasyPros offers a bullpen depth chart tailored specifically for fantasy baseball players. Along with listing the hierarchy, FantasyPros includes a "Job Security" rating for each closer (ranging from "Elite" to "Failing"). This helps managers identify which closers are on the hot seat and which setup men are worth stashing on the bench. ### Baseball Press Baseball Press is widely used for daily lineup tracking, but it also features reliable bullpen depth charts. It is a streamlined, no-nonsense resource that updates quickly in response to roster moves, making it ideal for daily fantasy sports (DFS) players who need fast, accurate data before game time.
## Key Metrics to Track on Bullpen Charts To get the most out of bullpen depth charts, you need to know what details to look for. Simply knowing who the closer is is rarely enough to gain a competitive edge. ### Job Security and Performance Trends Closers with low job security are prime targets for fantasy managers looking to speculate on saves. If a closer has blown consecutive saves or seen a drop in velocity, look at the "Set-Up" or "Next-in-Line" pitchers on the depth chart. Adding these relievers before a official closer change occurs is a winning fantasy strategy. ### Pitcher Workload and Rest Modern MLB managers rarely pitch their closers three days in a row. By cross-referencing a bullpen depth chart with recent pitch counts, you can identify when a primary closer is likely to receive a day off. This opens the door for the setup man to earn a "vulture save."
### Handcuffing Closers In fantasy football, managers often draft the backup running back to protect their starter. In fantasy baseball, this is known as "handcuffing" a closer. If you draft a volatile closer or one with an injury history, use bullpen depth charts to identify and roster their immediate backup.
