David Bednar

Active

New York Yankees · Pitcher

Age 316' 1" · 250 lbsThrows Right

FBaseball Overview

Now in his eighth MLB season, this 31-year-old closer anchors the Yankees' bullpen after establishing himself as a reliable back-end option with consecutive All-Star selections in 2022-2023. His 2025 campaign showcased elite strikeout production (86 K in 62.2 IP) paired with a stellar 2.30 ERA and 1.04 WHIP, making him a cornerstone saves provider with the upside to accumulate 30+ saves annually. Through the early portion of 2026, he's maintained solid peripherals with a 3.09 ERA and 1.23 WHIP across 35 innings, though the modest 16 saves to date suggest either reduced opportunities or modest usage early in the season. For fantasy managers seeking a proven closer with strong strikeout metrics and a track record of consistency, he represents a dependable source of wins, saves, and K's, though age and bullpen volatility remain modest concerns heading into the season's second half.

News Updates

Bednar notches 17th save in Yankees' win
David Bednar earned his 17th save of the season by striking out the side in a perfect ninth inning as the Yankees defeated the Twins 5-2 on Friday. This continues Bednar's strong performance in the closer role for New York, making him a key fantasy asset in the late innings.
Jul 4, 2026

MLB Pitching

Year	Team	G	W	L	SV	ERA	WHIP	K	IP	BB
2019	San Diego Padres	13	0	2	0	6.55	1.36	14	11.0	5
2020	San Diego Padres	4	0	0	0	7.11	2.05	5	6.1	2
2021	Pittsburgh Pirates	61	3	1	3	2.23	0.97	77	60.2	19
2022	Pittsburgh Pirates	45	3	4	19	2.61	1.12	69	51.2	16
2023	Pittsburgh Pirates	66	3	3	39	2.00	1.10	80	67.1	21
2024	Pittsburgh Pirates	62	3	8	23	5.77	1.42	58	57.2	28
2025	2 teams▼	64	6	5	27	2.30	1.04	86	62.2	19
2026	New York Yankees	35	2	3	17	2.92	1.16	44	37.0	12
Career	Totals	350	20	26	128	3.12	1.15	433	354.1	122

Source: MLB Stats API · Multi-team seasons show combined totals — click to expand

Minor League Pitching

Year	Team	G	GS	W	L	SV	ERA	WHIP	K	IP	BB
2016	2 teams▼	23	0	4	4	4	2.32	1.00	40	31	4
2017	2 teams▼	45	0	1	4	11	2.64	1.06	81	61.1	20
2018	Lake Elsinore Storm	47	0	2	4	10	2.73	1.36	96	69.1	29
2019	Amarillo Sod Poodles	44	0	2	5	14	2.95	1.16	86	58.0	18
2022	Indianapolis Indians	3	1	0	1	0	3.00	1.00	4	3.0	1
2024	Altoona Curve	1	0	0	0	0	0.00	0.00	1	1.0	0
2025	Indianapolis Indians	5	0	0	0	0	0.00	0.20	7	5.0	0
Career	Totals	168	1	9	18	39	2.64	1.14	315	228.2	72

Source: MLB Stats API · Multi-team seasons show combined totals — click to expand

Game Log2026 season

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Pitching Analytics2026 season · via Baseball Savant

Click for year to year changes

FB Velo96.0 mph

Avg Spin2115 rpm

Whiff %30.7%

K %28.6%

BB %7.8%

Hard Hit %39.2%

Barrel %4.1%

xERA2.74

xBA Against0.21

xSLG Against0.297

BA Against0.221

SLG Against0.321

GB%55.7%

FB%18.6%

What These Stats Mean

FB Velo — Average fastball velocity. Harder throwers generate more swings and misses, setting up every other pitch in their arsenal. Velocity is the foundation of strikeout upside.

Avg Spin — Average spin rate across all pitches. Higher spin creates more movement and makes pitches harder to square up — elite spinners run better strikeout and batting average against numbers.

Whiff % — Swings-and-misses per swing. The most direct measure of a pitcher's ability to miss bats and the best leading indicator of strikeout rate.

K % — Strikeout rate per batter faced. The core fantasy pitching stat — high K% means reliable strikeout totals that hold up even in shorter starts.

BB % — Walk rate per batter faced. The primary control metric. High BB% tanks ERA and WHIP and keeps baserunners on constantly. Elite starters typically run below 7%.

Hard Hit % — Percentage of batted balls hit 95 mph or harder against. Low hard-hit% means weak contact, protecting both ERA and the defense behind the pitcher.

Barrel % — Percentage of batted balls barreled against. The most direct home run predictor — low barrel% pitchers rarely give up long balls.

xERA — Expected ERA based on contact quality allowed, removing the effect of sequencing, luck, and defense. Better predictor of future ERA than ERA itself.

xBA Against — Expected batting average opponents should hit based on contact quality. A gap between xBA and actual BA indicates unsustainable luck in either direction.

xSLG Against — Expected slugging allowed based on contact quality. High xSLG against predicts future extra-base damage; low xSLG means the pitcher is genuinely suppressing power.

BA Against — Actual batting average opponents are hitting — a key WHIP component. Check xBA to see if the number is sustainable.

SLG Against — Actual slugging allowed. Captures hits, doubles, triples, and home runs — lower means the pitcher is limiting the power damage he gives up.

GB% — Ground ball rate. High GB% pitchers generate double plays, limit home runs, and keep the ball in the park — great for protecting ERA and WHIP ratios.

FB% — Fly ball rate. High FB% pitchers give up more air contact — dangerous when combined with high exit velocity, less so when contact is soft.

Loading player data...

Year

Team

ERA

WHIP

2019

San Diego Padres

6.55

1.36

11.0

2020

San Diego Padres

7.11

2.05

6.1

2021

Pittsburgh Pirates

2.23

0.97

60.2

2022

Pittsburgh Pirates

2.61

1.12

51.2

2023

Pittsburgh Pirates

2.00

1.10

67.1

2024

Pittsburgh Pirates

5.77

1.42

57.2

2025

2 teams▼

2.30

1.04

62.2

2026

New York Yankees

2.92

1.16

37.0

Career

Totals

350

128

3.12

1.15

433

354.1

122

Year

Team

ERA

WHIP

2016

2 teams▼

2.32

1.00

2017

2 teams▼

2.64

1.06

61.1

2018

Lake Elsinore Storm

2.73

1.36

69.1

2019

Amarillo Sod Poodles

2.95

1.16

58.0

2022

Indianapolis Indians

3.00

1.00

3.0

2024

Altoona Curve

0.00

1.0

2025

Indianapolis Indians

0.00

0.20

5.0

Career

Totals

168

2.64

1.14

315

228.2