Ranking the Best Dodgers Bullpen Arms in 2026
If you are looking for the definitive look at the dodgers bullpen rankings 2026, the short answer is that Los Angeles enters the season with arguably the most versatile, high-velocity relief group in baseball. At the top of the pecking order sit Michael Kopech and Evan Phillips, forming a lethal, flexible two-headed monster for the 8th and 9th innings. Right behind them, strikeout specialist Alex Vesia and groundball machine Brusdar Graterol lock down critical matchup spots, while young triple-digit flamethrower Edgardo Henriquez represents the unit's highest ceiling.
Dave Roberts and pitching coach Mark Prior have built an enviable modern bullpen: a group defined not by rigid 1990s roles, but by pitch-shape synergy, swing-and-miss stuff, and situational deployment. Below is our complete breakdown and tier-by-tier ranking of every key arm competing for high-leverage outs at Chavez Ravine this season.
Tier 1: The High-Leverage Anchors (Kopech & Phillips)
Heading into 2026, the battle for the Dodgers' ninth-inning duties isn't a traditional competition—it is a complementary partnership. Both Michael Kopech and Evan Phillips claim the top spots in any honest dodgers bullpen rankings 2026 evaluation.
1. Michael Kopech (RHP)
Kopech brings raw, overpowering intimidation. Averaging 99–101 mph with explosive carry on his four-seamer, his transition to a dedicated relief role transformed him into an absolute shutdown weapon. The Dodgers unlocked his slider command in late 2024, cutting down the non-competitive misses and turning him into a nightmare against right-handed and left-handed sluggers alike. When opposing lineups run out power bats in the heart of the order, Kopech is the arm Roberts calls to put out the fire.
2. Evan Phillips (RHP)
Phillips remains the cerebral heartbeat of the bullpen. While he doesn't throw 102 mph like Kopech, Phillips features one of the most unhittable sweepers in the National League paired with a pinpoint cutter and riding four-seamer. Phillips has repeatedly shown the mental fortitude to enter with bases loaded and nobody out, extract two strikeouts, and escape unscored upon. Whether he pitches the 8th against a pocket of righties or finishes off a one-run lead in the 9th, he is the relief corps' most reliable technician.
Tier 2: The Matchup Specialists and Firemen (Vesia & Graterol)
Just behind the co-closers sit two arms that would serve as legitimate closers on half the teams across the league. Their contrasting styles give the Dodgers tactical flexibility when navigating the middle-to-late frames.
3. Alex Vesia (LHP)
Vesia has earned his place as one of the best high-leverage lefties in baseball. His deceptive cross-body delivery creates an extreme perceived velocity on his 94–95 mph fastball, causing hitters to constantly swing underneath it. Paired with a biting slider that neutralizes left-handed sluggers, Vesia routinely takes down the opposing team’s best lefties in the 7th or 8th inning. His fiery mound presence consistently sets the emotional tone for the bullpen.
4. Brusdar Graterol (RHP)
When healthy, 'Bazooka' Graterol provides the ultimate groundball antidote. Throwing a heavy 100-plus mph turbo sinker alongside a sharp cutter, Graterol does not hunt punchouts in the same way Kopech does. Instead, he generates weak, rolled-over contact on the first or second pitch. Whenever a starter leaves runners at first and second with one out, Graterol is the primary weapon summoned to flip a double play and flip the game's momentum.
Tier 3: The Next Generation Flamethrower (Edgardo Henriquez)
5. Edgardo Henriquez (RHP)
If there is one pitcher capable of blowing up these dodgers bullpen rankings 2026 and seizing the undisputed closer role by midseason, it is Edgardo Henriquez.
Henriquez blazed through the Dodgers minor league system with an electric fastball that easily eclipses 100 mph, topping out near 103 mph with devastating late life. Complementing the heater is a wipeout upper-80s slider with sharp horizontal bite. While command was the question mark early in his developmental path, the Dodgers' pitching lab helped him clean up his front-side mechanics.
Henriquez represents the future of LA's relief core. He gives the front office another cost-controlled, elite strikeout generator capable of handling the most stressful pockets of an opponent's lineup.
Tier 4: Bulk Innings and Middle-Relief Flexibility
The regular season grind over 162 games demands arms that can eat multiple frames, rescue laboring starters, or carry the load through targeted bullpen games.
6. Ryan Brasier / Veteran Presence (RHP)
Veteran poise counts in September and October. With a sharp cutter-slider combination and clean strike-throwing ability, experienced arms like Brasier settle down chaotic 5th and 6th innings when a starter gets knocked out early.
7. The Swingman & Hybrid Option (River Ryan / Nick Frasso / Spot Long Reliever)
The Dodgers frequently cycle starting depth through multi-inning relief roles. Whether protecting young arms on innings limits or managing rotation workloads, having an electric young arm capable of pitching three scoreless innings out of the 'pen provides massive tactical advantage.
8. Low-Leverage / Left-Handed Depth
Rounding out the 8-man active unit are matchup pieces who can absorb innings in lopsided contests or step in for situational outs. Keeping this depth fresh through Oklahoma City shuttle runs ensures the top-tier arms remain sharp for October.
Dodgers Bullpen Hierarchy at a Glance
Here is how the hierarchy stacks up when the game is on the line:
- High-Leverage / Ninth Inning: Michael Kopech, Evan Phillips
- Eighth-Inning Bridge / Pocket Stoppers: Alex Vesia, Brusdar Graterol
- Seventh-Inning High-Upside Heat: Edgardo Henriquez
- Middle Relief / Veteran Stability: Ryan Brasier / Anthony Banda-type veterans
- Bulk / Swingman: Multi-inning hybrid arm
This structure gives Roberts the freedom to treat innings 7 through 9 as an interchangeable puzzle rather than relying on an outdated formula.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the primary closer in the Dodgers bullpen rankings 2026?
The Dodgers do not use a single traditional closer. Michael Kopech and Evan Phillips share the duties based on matchups, with Kopech handling power pockets and Phillips managing tough traffic and heavy-breaking-ball counts.
What makes the Dodgers bullpen so effective year after year?
Their success stems from pitch design and deployment. The Dodgers excel at maximizing specific pitcher traits (like release height and horizontal break) and consistently put relievers in positions that favor their distinct strengths.
Can Edgardo Henriquez become the everyday closer in 2026?
Yes. If Henriquez continues to throw strikes and commands his 100+ mph fastball alongside his wipeout slider, he has the profile to dominate high-leverage 9th innings by the end of the year.
How does rotation health affect the dodgers bullpen rankings 2026?
When the starting rotation throws deep into games, the Dodgers can protect arms like Graterol and Vesia from overwork. When starters struggle, the multi-inning swingman becomes critical to keep high-leverage arms rested.