Giants Organizational Depth Charts: Closer

As in past depth charts, it's virtually impossible to make a depth chart for all potential relievers so we confine it to pitchers who have a reasonable chance to close out games.  Another gaping hole in the Giants roster in 2025 was the role of Closer.  Ryan Walker held it on Opening Day but series of disastrous Blown Saves led to a revolving door of candidates, none of whom made a convincing case for the job in 2026.  Who are the "in-house" possibilities?  Our methodology is to look at pitchers who recorded more than one Save last season as well as non-closer pitchers who have a reasonable chance to move into the role.  

MLB:

Ryan Walker:  Recorded 17 Saves but also 7 Blown Saves, 7 Losses and a 4.11 ERA.  It's unclear how the organization views him going forward but I don't think there are many fans who want to see him walk out of the Bullpen in the 9'th inning on Opening Day.  

Spencer Bivens:  3 for 3 in Save Opps.  Pitched in multiple roles in 2025 appeared to be out of gas around midseason after a series of multi-inning appearances.  Velocity seemed to tick up to 96-97 in single-inning roles and a case could be made that he was the most effective Closer in a couple of late-season opps.  

Tristan Beck:  Another guy who ate innings in multi-inning roles but also recorded 2 Saves in 2 late-season opportunities.

Joel Peguero:  The Triple-Digit Man.  A spring phenom, he struggled in AAA for much of the season but showed improvement.  Showed he could dominate with the fastball after a late-season call up leading to speculation he might be a legit Closer candidate.

Randy Rodriguez was lights out in a setup role but struggled as the Closer.  On the IL with TJ surgery for all of 2026.

AAA:

Ryan Watson:  9/13 Saves, 4.26 ERA.

Miguel Diaz:  9/10 Saves, 3.45 ERA.

Justin Garza:  6/7 Saves, 6.11 ERA.

All 3 of these guys may be minor league free agents.  Diaz may be worth bringing back for depth.

AA:  

Tyler Vogel:  6/6 Saves, 1.13 ERA.

Evan Gates:  5/6 Saves, 3.23 ERA.

Braxton Roxby:  3/3 Saves, 1.20 ERA.

Trent Harris:  2/2 Saves, 1.69 ERA.

Marques Johnson:  2/4 Saves, 2.90 ERA.

Some of these guys struggled after late promotion to AAA.

A+:

Cameron Pferrer:  6/6 Saves, 2.20 ERA.

Austin Strickland:  5/7 Saves, 4.45 ERA.

Darien Smith:  2/2 Saves, 2.59 ERA.

A:  

Ben Peterson:  7/8 Saves, 4.18 ERA.

Cade Vernon:  7/11 Saves, 1.60 ERA.

Cole Hillier:  4/6 Saves, 2.78 ERA.

I was impressed with Hillier when I saw him pitch.

ACL: 

Jose Bello:  2/2 Saves, 2.00 ERA.

Came over from the Red Sox in the Devers trade.

DSL:

Lender Bracho:  6/12 Saves, 4.05 ERA.

Carlos Toro:  2/3 Saves, 2.15 ERA.

Jose G Gonzalez:  6/9 Saves, 5.12 ERA.

Randry DeLeon:  3/4 Saves, 3.66 ERA.

Summary:  The Giants are, once again faced with the need to acquire a reliable Closer via free agency or trade.  They cannot go into next season with Ryan Walker as the presumptive Closer and there are no obviously reliable options on the current roster or in the organization.