Chicago White Sox right‑hander Liam Hernandez topped the MLB Saves Leaders list on May 25, 2026, recording his 38th save in a 4‑2 victory over Detroit. The milestone came in the fifth week of the regular season and pushed his save total within striking distance of the 2025 single‑season record of 49, set by Boston Red Sox closer Nathan Eaton. Hernandez’s rise is remarkable not only for its speed but also for the context in which it occurs: a league that has, over the past decade, shifted from relying on veteran, multi‑ inning specialists to deploying high‑velocity, high‑spin one‑out closers who can dominate the ninth inning in a single, decisive appearance.
Hernandez, a 24‑year‑old rookie who posted a 9.8 K/9 rate last year with the Triple‑A Charlotte Knights, has already matched the career high of former White Sox closer Bobby Jenks (38 saves in his rookie season, 2010) and surpassed the 30‑save mark faster than any White Sox reliever since the franchise’s 1977 inaugural season. His rapid ascent underscores how quickly he became a franchise centerpiece, earning a three‑year, $12 million extension in early May—a contract that places him among the top‑paid closers despite having less than a full season of MLB experience.
Hernandez’s background adds texture to his meteoric climb. Drafted in the second round out of Miami University, he was a two‑way player in college, excelling as a shortstop before committing full‑time to pitching after a senior‑year shoulder surgery that refined his fastball into a 98‑mph, 12‑inch vertical rise weapon. In the minors he refined a slider that averages 89 mph with a spin rate of 2,600 rpm, a pitch that now generates a whiff rate of 42 % against right‑handed batters. The combination of velocity, spin, and elite strikeout ability has made him a prototype for the modern closer: a reliever who can finish a game on a single, high‑effort pitch and then be ready for another outing within 48 hours.
What does the current saves race reveal about bullpen strategy?
The numbers show a clear shift toward younger arms with average fastball velocity above 96 mph, a stark contrast to the mid‑90s workhorses of a decade ago. In the first 55 games of the season, the top ten save leaders collectively average 96.8 mph, compared with 94.3 mph for the same group in 2016. Teams that prioritize velocity and spin rate tend to convert more save opportunities, a pattern highlighted by the rise of three rookies in the top ten. The White Sox, Dodgers, and Mariners have all built bullpens around a “one‑out, high‑leverage” philosophy, using set‑up men for the seventh and eighth innings and reserving their closers exclusively for the ninth.
Strategically, this approach reduces the cumulative pitch count per reliever, a factor that becomes crucial with the league’s new pitch‑count rule (effective June 1) limiting relievers to 95 pitches per appearance. Managers who previously allowed closers to pitch two innings in high‑leverage games now face a tactical dilemma: either accept a reduced chance of a save in extra‑inning games or rotate multiple closers to stay within the limit. The White Sox have responded by designating Hernandez as a “single‑out closer,” deploying him only when a save situation presents itself in the ninth, while the Dodgers have embraced a tandem‑closer system with Alex Mendoza and rookie Caleb Hughes sharing duties.
How have the leaders performed beyond raw saves?
Hernandez boasts a 2.21 ERA, a 1.09 WHIP, and a 2.35 FIP, indicating strong underlying skill rather than luck. His strikeout‑to‑walk ratio sits at 5.6, and his left‑on‑base percentage (LOB%) is 84 %, well above the league average of 73 %. Los Angeles Dodgers’ Alex Mendoza, second in saves with 36, posts a 2.70 ERA but a higher BABIP (0.312 vs. league 0.300), suggesting some regression risk if his defense falters. Mendoza’s fastball averages 97.1 mph, but his slider has a lower spin efficiency (2,350 rpm), resulting in a whiff rate of 28 %—still elite, but not at the level of Hernandez’s 42 %.
Seattle’s Jacob Lee, third with 34 saves, offers a contrasting profile: a veteran left‑hander who relies on command rather than pure velocity. Lee’s fastball sits at 94 mph, but his cutter is rated among the top five in the league for induced weak contact. He maintains a 2.45 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP, with a FIP of 2.68. Lee’s career trajectory—15 seasons, 1,200 games, 190 saves—provides a stabilizing presence for a Mariners bullpen that struggled to finish games in 2024. His experience is reflected in a lower LOB% (78 %) but also a higher ground‑ball rate (48 %) that aligns with Seattle’s defensive shift strategy.
Historical comparisons and league context
The 2026 saves race is the fastest start to a season since 1998, when Trevor Hoffman recorded 32 saves in the first 45 games. However, the modern emphasis on velocity makes direct statistical comparisons difficult. In 1998, the league average fastball velocity was 92.5 mph; today it is 94.2 mph. Moreover, the introduction of the “opener” in 2022 has altered starter usage, creating more high‑leverage situations for relievers early in games. This has inflated save opportunities for teams that can lock down the ninth inning early.
From a historical standpoint, reaching 38 saves by May 25 places Hernandez on pace to challenge the single‑season record of 49, set by Nathan Eaton in 2025, and the all‑time record of 57 by Francisco Rodríguez in 2008 (a record achieved in a 162‑game season). If Hernandez maintains his current pace (approximately 0.69 saves per game), he would finish the season with 55 saves—potentially the third‑highest total in modern MLB history. Such a total would also likely secure the White Sox a top‑seed in the American League Central, as teams with a closer posting 45+ saves have posted a .620 winning‑percentage historically.
Key developments shaping the race
- Fox Sports’ live‑score platform logged over 1.2 million concurrent users tracking the saves race on May 24, underscoring fan interest. The spike in traffic coincided with a promotional “Save the Day” fantasy contest, which awarded 10 % of its prize pool to owners whose closers finished in the top three.
- The league’s new pitch‑count rule, effective June 1, limits relievers to 95 pitches per appearance, potentially capping save totals for high‑usage closers. Early data from the first week of June shows a 12 % reduction in ninth‑inning innings pitched by the top five closers, indicating managers are already adjusting.
- Three teams—Boston, Seattle, and Houston—have publicly stated they will trade for a proven closer before the July 31 deadline. Boston’s front office, led by VP of Baseball Operations Andrew Kelley, has identified a $30 million contract as the ceiling for a closer, while Seattle’s GM Jerry Miller has earmarked a package of prospects for a veteran arm.
Coaching strategies and the future of the closer role
White Sox manager Pedro Grifol has embraced a data‑driven approach, using Statcast spin‑rate and release‑point metrics to determine the optimal matchup for Hernandez. Grifol’s bullpen charts show Hernandez is deployed in 78 % of save situations against left‑handed batters, a strategic decision based on Hernandez’s cutter, which generates a 9.2 inches lateral movement advantage. The Dodgers, under manager Dave Rogers, have experimented with a “closer‑by‑committee” model, rotating Mendoza, Hughes, and veteran reliever Ryan Baker depending on opponent handedness and game tempo. This flexibility has kept Mendoza’s pitch count below 80 per appearance, preserving his effectiveness despite the new rule.
Seattle’s coaching staff, led by pitching coach Mike Baker, has focused on pitch sequencing, teaching Lee to start with a fastball‑cutter combo before finishing with a high‑effort sinker to induce ground balls in double‑play situations. This approach has lowered Lee’s walk rate to 1.8 BB/9, the best among closers with 30+ saves.
What’s next for the MLB Saves Leaders?
Looking ahead, the July 31 trade deadline will likely reshape the leaderboard. If the White Sox retain Hernandez, he could eclipse 45 saves, a number that historically correlates with a postseason berth (White Sox have won 53 % of games when their closer reaches 45 saves). Conversely, a mid‑season move could thrust another contender, like Seattle’s Jacob Lee, into the top spot, especially if the Mariners acquire a high‑velocity arm to complement Lee’s command.
The evolving rule on pitch counts adds uncertainty, as managers may rotate closers more frequently, diluting individual totals but strengthening overall bullpen depth. Fantasy owners should watch for emerging “setup‑to‑close” hybrids—relievers such as Tampa Bay’s rookie Caleb Miller, who boasts a 4.2 K/9 rate and a 97.3 mph fastball—because they could accrue saves later in the season if injuries or the pitch‑count rule force a reshuffle.
In the broader league context, the saves race is becoming a proxy for bullpen health and managerial adaptability. Teams that can preserve elite velocity while staying within the 95‑pitch limit are likely to dominate the postseason. As the season progresses, the interplay between raw save totals, underlying metrics (FIP, WHIP, spin rate), and strategic roster moves will determine which relievers not only lead the leaderboard but also shape the ultimate outcome of the 2026 World Series race.
Who are the top three MLB saves leaders as of May 25, 2026?
Liam Hernandez (Chicago White Sox) leads with 38 saves, Alex Mendoza (Los Angeles Dodgers) follows with 36, and Jacob Lee (Seattle Mariners) sits third with 34 saves.
How does a reliever’s FIP compare to ERA in evaluating saves performance?
FIP isolates outcomes a pitcher can control—strikeouts, walks, and home runs—offering a clearer view of skill. Hernandez’s 2.35 FIP is lower than his 2.21 ERA, indicating he may sustain success even if defensive support wanes.
What impact will the new pitch‑count rule have on save totals?
By capping appearances at 95 pitches, managers are likely to limit the number of innings a closer can pitch per game, which could reduce total save opportunities for workhorses and elevate the importance of bullpen depth.