Fantasy Baseball Relief Pitcher Draft Steal Candidates for 2025: Raisel Iglesias, Andres Munoz, Ryan Walker and More

After just putting together the draft bust candidate story for relief pitchers, let's turn right around and discuss some draft steal candidates among relief pitchers.

We've already discussed draft steals for starting pitchers, first basemen, second basemen, third basemen and shortstops. Also be sure to check out my top-10 relief pitcher rankings for redraft and dynasty leagues.

Check out Fantasy Baseball Average Draft Position data for 2025 and get ready for your fantasy drafts by utilizing the FantasySP Fantasy Baseball Mock Draft Simulator.

1. Mason Miller

We'll begin with maybe the most electric closer in all of the MLB. Miller is my No. 4 fantasy closer for 2025, and he's currently the fifth reliever off draft boards. He was the No. 6 fantasy reliever in 2025.

Miller enjoyed a breakout season in 2024, which was his first season as a full-time reliever. He went 2-2 with a 2.49 earned run average over 55 games pitched. Miller picked up 28 saves and struck out 104 batters across 65 innings.

Miller would have finished even higher last season if he wasn't injured. A few more innings and strikeouts, along with the chance for more wins and saves are why I think he's going to take a step forward this season.

I wish he didn't play for the Athletics, because then he'd have a chance for a lot more saves. His big strikeout numbers and low ERA should appeal to fantasy owners though.

He can get more than three outs often, because he isn't used every day, like he could be on a great team. That helps Miller post great fantasy numbers.

There's a chance Miller really exceeds his preseason draft value if he's traded, but as is, I think Miller will finish higher, so I'm happy to get him around his current draft ADP. Hopefully his hype doesn't get too wild between now and the start of the season, because then he might not be quite as good a pick.

2. Raisel Iglesias

Iglesias is my No. 7 fantasy reliever for 2025. He finished fourth a season ago and is being drafted seventh this season.

While my ranking lines up with where he's being picked, last year he showed he was capable of more. In 66 games, Iglesias had a 6-2 record and 34 saves. He posted a 1.95 ERA and struck out 68 batters over 69 1/3 innings.

Iglesias isn't a high strikeout guy, but he earns a fair amount of wins every season to go along with 30+ saves since joining the Braves. I expect some regression in his ERA, but there's also a chance he replicates last season and finishes in the top five again.

He's got a fair ADP right now, and is someone I wouldn't mind drafting. I think he's got a safe floor, and if he can repeat his 2024 performance, he'll be a draft steal for a second straight season.

3. Robert Suarez

Suarez is ranked eighth in my top-10 list for 2025. He took eighth a season ago and is the ninth one off draft boards so far. I still think there's a chance he could become a steal though.

In his first season as a full-time closer, Suarez was great. He went 9-3, picked up 36 saves and posted a 2.77 ERA. Suarez had just 59 strikeouts over 65 innings.

Sure, he might have a hard time reaching nine wins again, but I think a similar amount of saves, if not a couple more, will make up for a couple fewer losses. His ERA could be a bit better as well.

Where I see room for Suarez to become a draft steal are in his strikeout numbers. His 8.2 strikeouts per nine innings figure last year was better than his mark in 2023, but way off his 11.5 mark he posted in 2022.

If Suarez can get closer to, or eclipse, a strikeout an inning, his fantasy score will jump significantly. An extra 30 points would have made him a top-five fantasy reliever last season.

While I have Suarez ranked eighth for the upcoming season, that's his fantasy floor to me, if he's able to stay healthy. He has top-five potential if he can up his strikeout numbers just a bit, and that makes him a draft steal candidate based on where he's going in drafts so far.

4. Andres Munoz

Suarez is my No. 9 fantasy reliever for 2025. He was a top-20 fantasy reliever last season and is the No. 12 guy off draft boards so far.

I'm a bit higher on Munoz than most, but for good reason. He's struggled to pitch full seasons over the past three years, but he's been great when he's been out there. Sure, maybe his durability makes him a bust candidate, but if he can stay on the field throughout the season, this could be his breakout season.

Last season in 60 games and 59 1/3 innings, Munoz had a 2.12 ERA. He's got a career 2.65 ERA, and his 3-7 record from last year isn't likely to continue if his ERA sticks around those marks.

Munoz had 77 strikeouts last season, along with 22 saves. His 11.7 strikeout per nine inning mark last season was the lowest in his career, but also is still a pretty good figure. He's been as high as 13.3 Ks per nine innings in 2022.

What's great with Munoz is that he's not going to cost you an early draft pick. You can grab him as a secondary option, and he might end up playing way past that draft value. While I have him ranked ninth, I think he's also got top-five potential.

I maybe wouldn't want him to be my No. 1 fantasy closer going into 2025, but I'm more than OK with him as a secondary option. He's the type of fantasy player who can take your group from a good one to a great one.

For a later draft pick, why not take a chance on Munoz? After pick 100 or so, things turn into a crapshoot anyways.

5. Ryan Walker

Walker wasn't in my top 10, but he was an honorable mention. He was the No. 7 fantasy reliever last season despite not being the full-time closer until later in the season. Walker is the 13th reliever off draft boards so far.

In his second MLB season, Walker enjoyed a breakout campaign. He pitched in 76 games, covering 80 innings. Walker struck out 99 batters, earned 10 saves, went 10-4 and had a 1.91 ERA. Simply put, those are elite fantasy numbers.

He should open the season as the team's go-to closer. Even if he regresses a bit, I don't think he'll have many issues hanging onto the closer role. 

If he regresses in a big way, Camilo Doval could get his old job back. A big reason why I kept Walker out of my top 10 was Doval still being around. If Doval gets back to being an elite reliever, he could maybe steal the job back from Walker.

It's hard to deny what Walker has done over the past couple seasons though. Even if he's not closing, he's got a decent chance at being a top-10 fantasy reliever.

For a later fantasy pick, high-upside guys are always good picks in my book. Walker is definitely that.

Walker not only could be a draft steal, but he might challenge for the top fantasy spot if he can get to even 30 saves. I think he's a good fantasy value pick where he's going, even if he only saves 15 or so games.