Jhoan Duran, the Minnesota Twins' closer, recently introduced a new pitch to his repertoire: the sweeper. During a game against the Houston Astros, Duran struck out Jake Meyers with this pitch, which he had been developing over the past two years. His fastball can peak at 104 mph, and while his splinker has become popular among pitchers for generating ground balls, the sweeper adds a new dimension. This pitch moves away from right-handed hitters and can be thrown at 87 mph, similar to his curveball.

Initially, Duran faced challenges integrating the sweeper into his game, having shelved it after its first attempt last season went awry. He worked on refining it during the offseason with assistant pitching coach Luis Ramírez, focusing on grip and arm slot adjustments. Feedback from teammates and coaches has been encouraging, suggesting that the sweeper could be a valuable weapon in Duran's arsenal for the upcoming season.

As the 2024 MLB season kicks off, the closer landscape is filled with intriguing options for fantasy baseball enthusiasts. Emmanuel Clase, who had an impressive 0.61 ERA and 40-plus saves last season, leads the pack for the Cleveland Guardians, solidifying his position as the favorite to lead the American League in saves once again. Following him is Mason Miller from the Oakland Athletics, who showcased his skills with a league-leading 41.8% strikeout rate last season. Meanwhile, Devin Williams is poised to bring his dominant form to the New York Yankees after a stellar finish to last season, making him a valuable asset in fantasy lineups. Josh Hader, now with the Houston Astros, remains a top-tier option despite past inconsistencies.

Further down the rankings, Ryan Helsley of the St. Louis Cardinals and Edwin Díaz of the New York Mets represent elite choices, albeit with some injury concerns and performance fluctuations. Andrés Muñoz is expected to step up in Seattle, while Raisel Iglesias continues to be a reliable veteran for the Atlanta Braves. Rookies and less-established players like Jhoan Duran and Ryan Walker are also making noise, presenting potential hidden gems for savvy fantasy managers. As the season unfolds, monitoring these closers' performances will be crucial for fantasy success.

The Minnesota Twins have finalized their 2025 Opening Day roster, showcasing a mix of returning talent and new names. Key contributors include first baseman Ty France, who is looking to rebound after a successful All-Star season in 2022, and Willi Castro, the team MVP from the previous year. Castro's versatility was evident as he played multiple positions last season.

Star shortstop Carlos Correa is back, despite injury concerns limiting him to 86 games last season while still posting a solid OPS. Fellow infielder José Miranda aims to recover from a dramatic second-half slump. The outfield positions have strong contenders, including Byron Buxton, who finally played over 100 games last season, and Trevor Larnach, who showed promise with 15 home runs in 2024. In the pitching lineup, Pablo López leads the rotation, supported by the emerging talents of Joe Ryan and Bailey Ober, alongside established closer Jhoan Duran.

In the 2025 fantasy baseball season, targeting saves is crucial for constructing a competitive team. The article highlights ten relief pitchers, including top closers and potential breakout candidates. Key players include Josh Hader, who boasts impressive strikeout rates and durability, making him a prime target. Other significant mentions are Trevor Megill, who's stepping up for the Milwaukee Brewers, and Jeff Hoffman, who returns to the Blue Jays as their closer. Speculative plays like Orion Kerkering from the Phillies are also discussed, emphasizing the importance of assessing injury risks and role changes.

Andrés Muñoz and Jhoan Duran are highlighted for their potential as elite closers. Tanner Scott is expected to lead save opportunities for the Dodgers, while David Bednar is seen as a bounce-back candidate. Lastly, Mason Miller, despite being on the Athletics, has shown dominant performances that merit attention. A strategic approach to selecting these pitchers can significantly enhance a fantasy team's chances for success.

The volatility of starting pitchers in fantasy baseball makes identifying busts a challenge, particularly when they seem to have redeeming qualities. Chris Sale, for instance, averaged significant time on the injured list yet still posted impressive innings totals in recent seasons. As drafts progress, the risk associated with these pitchers tends to decrease, making it crucial to spot potential busts early on.

Analyzing players like Corbin Burnes, who signed a hefty contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks, reveals a concerning trend despite a strong past. His swinging-strike rates have significantly dropped, hinting at potential regression. Similarly, Yoshinobu Yamamoto from the Los Angeles Dodgers and Michael King from the San Diego Padres show promising skills but come with injury or performance concerns that could affect their fantasy value in 2025.