Atlanta Braves Nearer One Save Shy of a Milestone

Only 53 pitchers in MLB history have surpassed the 200-saves mark.

Eight of those pitchers are Hall of Famers, and they produced more. Two of those Hall of Famers have made 600 or more saves throughout their careers. But back to 200 career saves: four active pitchers have reached the mark, and a fifth may join them as soon as this weekend. Raisel Iglesias could reach the milestone in Queens, where the Atlanta Braves face the New York Mets in a three-game series. Iglesias is off to a promising start this season. The right-hander has a 1.88 ERA, nine saves, and ten strikeouts in 14 1/3 innings.

Raisel Iglesias One Save Shy of 200

Iglesias joined the Atlanta Braves at the 2022 trade deadline from the Los Angeles Angels. The Braves targeted Iglesias, who had a 4.04 ERA and converted 16 of his 19 save opportunities for the Angels. It was reminiscent of the Braves’ 2019 deadline acquisition of Mark Melancon from the San Francisco Giants. Since his arrival, Iglesias has a 1.96 ERA, 43 saves, 108 strikeouts, and 23 walks in 96 1/3 innings. Iglesias saved 33 games for the Braves in 2023, and if he can do it again this season, he would pass Greg Holland for 45th all-time.  If he can remain a consistent closer into his mid-to-late 30s, he has a decent chance at passing Jason Isringhausen and Bruce Sutter who both have 300 saves. He could become the 32nd pitcher to reach that milestone, but time will tell.

Iglesias Among Active Saves Leaders

His 199 career saves are only 11 back of Edwin Díaz, who has 210 to his name. Only Aroldis Chapman (322), Craig Kimbrel (425) and Kenley Jansen (425) have more than those. Both have surpassed John Franco (424) and Billy Wagner (422) but need 13 to pass Francisco Rodríguez (437), who’s currently fourth all-time. The two will flip spots throughout the season, given the closeness on the current leaderboards. Another possibility to reach 200 saves is David Robertson (176) and Josh Hader (169).

Aside from career save totals, Kimbrel is one of four players in MLB history to have five seasons with 40 or more saves. Kimbrel joins Mariano Rivera (9), Trevor Hoffman (9), and Rodriguez (6). The right-hander has not had a 40-save season since 2018 and is unlikely to match Rodríguez’s record of six. Jansen, on the other hand, is one of ten pitchers to have at least 40 saves in four consecutive seasons. With a sixth 40-save season, he would tie Kimbrel for the most ever, becoming the fifth pitcher to do so.