Predicting MLB’s Top Saves Leaders: Will Anyone Hit 50+?

Will Anyone Reach 50 Saves in the 2025 MLB Season?

History Says No: 50 Saves is a Monumental Task

The idea of a player reaching 50 saves in a single MLB season feels like a relic from a bygone era. It hasn’t happened in a long time, and if you’re trying to recall the last time it did, you’re not alone. Bobby Thigpen of the Chicago White Sox set the record with 57 saves in 1990, but modern baseball has evolved significantly since then.

Today’s game features bullpen committees, strategic bullpen usage, and a greater emphasis on pitcher health. All of that makes it much harder for one closer to dominate save opportunities for an entire season. The save rule itself, frankly, is outdated and often awards saves in bizarre circumstances (like a three-inning mop-up appearance in a blowout win). Given all of that, it’s hard to envision a closer reaching the 50-save mark in 2025.

Why 50 Saves is Unrealistic in 2025

Looking at the current closer landscape, there’s simply not a dominant, lock-it-down closer with the perfect combination of team wins, consistent save opportunities, and job security. Emmanuel Clase of the Cleveland Guardians has been shaky. Devin Williams of the New York Yankees has struggled. Edwin Diaz of the New York Mets, once viewed as the best bet, has not looked like his old self post-injury.

Even dominant teams like the Dodgers, who were expected to win 110 games, are using multiple late-inning arms like Craig Kimbrel, Daniel Hudson, and others in different situations. Without a single closer monopolizing save chances, even high-win teams won’t necessarily produce a 50-save closer.

In today’s environment, most elite closers are aiming for 40-45 saves in an excellent year. Cracking 50 would require not just skill, but also health, luck, and a very specific team usage pattern that few managers employ anymore.

Betting Angle: Save Leaders Market

Most sportsbooks won’t hang a “Will anyone reach 50 saves?" prop outright, but betting the MLB Saves Leader futures market can give you indirect exposure.

• Unders on Highest Save Total: If you can find a market offering “highest save total" props (for example, “Over/Under 48.5 saves for league leader"), the under is a strong play.

• Longshots in Saves Leader Futures: Instead of betting a favorite like Clase or Diaz, targeting mid-tier closers who could accumulate 40-45 saves might be more profitable. The “win" threshold in the saves leader market likely lands around 42-46 saves this year.

• Alternative Team Bets: Betting on bullpen depth for elite teams rather than a single closer can also be profitable. For example, betting the Los Angeles Dodgers total wins or bullpen ERA props, rather than focusing on saves alone.

Final Word: Selling 50 Saves in 2025

No matter how you slice it, expecting a 50-save season in 2025 is unrealistic. The game has evolved past that model. Between bullpen committees, evolving save usage, and overall injury management, there’s simply too much working against it.

Verdict: Sell the idea of a 50-save season. Target “under" on highest save totals and look for value in the Saves Leader futures market instead.

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