Week 12 of the 2025 fantasy baseball season highlights the volatility at the closer position, prompting savvy fantasy managers to consider stashing backup options for potential saves down the stretch. With injuries and performance issues affecting several bullpens, including those of the San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners, identifying closers who may be on a shorter leash becomes crucial.

Jason Adam of the San Diego Padres, who boasts a 1.54 ERA and 17 holds, is a prime candidate to take over if Robert Suarez falters. Similarly, Randy Rodríguez of the San Francisco Giants is positioned to leapfrog Camilo Doval, who has struggled recently. Other noteworthy mentions include Lucas Erceg of the Kansas City Royals and Bryan Abreu of the Houston Astros, both of whom have shown promise in their respective bullpens. Staying alert in this fluid environment can unlock hidden value in your fantasy roster as the season progresses.

As the MLB season heats up, fantasy players should focus on strategic pickups and matchups. Alex Verdugo, recovering from recent struggles, has shown promise with a three-run homer in Triple-A, making his potential call-up to the Atlanta Braves highly anticipated. Meanwhile, Michael Conforto's impressive home performance against right-handed pitchers showcases his value, especially with the Dodgers' favorable matchup schedule this week. Don't overlook Miguel Andujar of the Oakland Athletics, who is also making waves with solid statistics against righties - he could be a game-changer for fantasy rosters. Lastly, Spencer Strider's return from elbow surgery is highly awaited, and his performance in the minors suggests a dominant season ahead. Keep an eye on Jason Adam from the Padres as he leads in holds and may soon secure regular save opportunities.

Delving into the intricacies of fantasy baseball management, a well-regarded analyst openly shares insights and strategies, revealing which players shaped his drafts this season. The season included seven NFBC drafts with various team compositions, emphasizing both strategy and adaptability. Highlighted players include Jason Adam, whose late-round potential as a closer contrasts sharply with the struggles of Robert Suarez. Gavin Williams is spotlighted as a bold choice based on his mechanics and breakout potential. Willson Contreras stands out as an everyday first baseman, amplifying his value in a thin catcher market. Young talents like Dylan Crews and Nolan Schanuel are presented as essential future assets, while seasoned pitchers like Max Fried and Yu Darvish are analyzed for their potential risks and rewards within teams like the Yankees and Padres.

Drafting effective pitchers in the late rounds can be the secret to fantasy baseball success, especially this season where volatility in pitching is high. While traditionally reliable options such as Cristopher Sánchez and Zack Eflin have value, true sleepers can be found well past pick 200. Bowden Francis of the Toronto Blue Jays stands out with his impressive 1.53 ERA since becoming a full-time starter. Clarke Schmidt of the Yankees is poised for a breakout, aided by injuries in the rotation. Jason Adam could emerge as a top closer for the Padres, while Jesús Luzardo's potential makes him a high-risk, high-reward pick. Other noteworthy late-round options include Nestor Cortes and Cody Bradford, who both show promise despite limited prior opportunities. DJ Herz and David Festa are rookies with high strikeout potential, and Ben Brown's swing-and-miss capability rounds out a list of intriguing options.

In fantasy baseball leagues that include holds as a scoring category, making informed decisions during draft day becomes crucial. Identifying pitchers who can consistently contribute holds involves targeting teams poised for victory and having a defined closing option. Notably, holds can be secured by multiple players, as long as the entering pitcher maintains the team's lead without being the final pitcher in the game.

As the 2025 season approaches, several pitchers stand out as potential leaders in holds. Bryan Abreu of the Houston Astros, who led the league with 38 holds last season, is projected to continue his dominance. Yennier Cano from the Baltimore Orioles and Griffin Jax of the Minnesota Twins also showcase strong potential for accumulating holds this season.