Félix Bautista, the formidable closer for the Baltimore Orioles, made a triumphant return to the mound after a lengthy injury hiatus, marking a significant moment for the team and its fans. Bautista, whose last competitive pitch came on August 25, 2023, ended his season with a remarkable 1.48 ERA and 110 strikeouts. His comeback during a spring training game against the Boston Red Sox saw him strike out two batters and throw 97 mph heat, igniting hopes for the Orioles' season ahead.

This season, Bautista is expected to play a pivotal role as the Orioles aim to build on their impressive rise from rebuilding to contention. The Orioles' management, led by manager Brandon Hyde, plans to ease Bautista back into action, with a cautious approach in his early outings. Meanwhile, the team is under new ownership, which has led to an increase in payroll and a fresh wave of expectations following last season's playoff appearances, where Bautista's absence was sorely felt.

The Baltimore Orioles celebrated the return of their star closer, Felix Bautista, who made his first appearance in nearly two years after a serious elbow injury. Facing the Boston Red Sox, Bautista struck out two batters and secured a groundout, showcasing his dominant splitter and fastball, which hit 96 mph during the outing.

Fans greeted him with a standing ovation as he left the mound, a clear indication of their excitement and relief. Bautista, known for his previous dominance with an average fastball speed of 99.5 mph, is on the path to reclaiming his status as one of baseball's elite closers. Although he still has some improvement to make, this outing was a promising step as he prepares for the upcoming season.

As fantasy baseball drafts heat up, the debate over when to target closers intensifies. Securing a top option in the early rounds is critical, as the quest for at least 60 saves begins. Closers not only contribute saves but also impact ratio and strikeout categories, making their selection pivotal for fantasy success. A clear understanding of your league format and competitors can shape your draft strategy significantly.

Five must-have closers for the upcoming season include Felix Bautista from the Baltimore Orioles, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery but boasts impressive 2023 numbers. Lucas Erceg of the Kansas City Royals has the skill set to become a top-10 closer despite a shaky start. Trevor Megill, stepping into a more pivotal role with the Milwaukee Brewers, is expected to secure 25+ saves. David Bednar from the Pittsburgh Pirates looks to bounce back from an injury-plagued 2024, and Seth Halvorsen from the Colorado Rockies could defy traditional thoughts about Rockies pitchers with breakout potential in 2025.

Baltimore Orioles All-Star closer Félix Bautista, recovering from Tommy John surgery, shared a promising update during a media session. Currently at 85% strength in his throwing program, Bautista remains confident in reaching 100% by Opening Day. The 29-year-old was a dominant force in 2023, securing a 1.48 ERA and 33 saves, playing a pivotal role in the Orioles' return to the playoffs.

Despite Bautista's absence in 2024, the Orioles still reached the playoffs, though they faced elimination against the Kansas City Royals in the wild card round. The team boasts a strong lineup with players like Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman, but the offseason saw the departure of key players like Corbin Burnes and Anthony Santander in free agency. With questions surrounding the health of pitchers Trevor Rogers and Kyle Bradish, the Orioles aim to maintain competitiveness in the challenging American League East.

As fantasy baseball draft season approaches, strategies around drafting closers and securing saves become increasingly critical. The volatility of closer performances emphasizes the need for flexibility and adaptability in your draft strategy. In 2024, only eight closers achieved over 30 saves, showing the importance of hitting on your initial closer. Research indicates that about half of saves go to the primary closer, making it a gamble. Monitoring player stats, particularly K% and injury history, is crucial. Targeting high-leverage pitchers and understanding your league's scoring system can provide opportunities to capitalize on saves and holds effectively.

Knowing your league's format can lead to strategic advantages. In leagues counting only saves, drafting multiple potential closers early is advisable, while deeper leagues may necessitate targeting emerging players or relievers likely to get save opportunities. The historical performance of your league mates also plays a role in determining how aggressively to pursue closers. Overall, the landscape of fantasy baseball saves requires an astute approach and continuous monitoring of player situations leading up to the draft.