In 2023, two Major League pitchers joined a rather exclusive list for relievers: the 400 save marker. Very few relievers have recorded that many saves, and those who have could be considered some of the best relievers to every pitch in the league. So, how many pitchers have recorded at least 400 career saves? Let’s take a look.
Related: Which players in MLB history have at least 50 home runs in a single season?
MLB Pitchers With At Least 400 Saves
Here’s a look at the list of the pitchers that have accumulated at least 400 saves in the Majors. Let’s just say that it’s not a particularly long one, as only eight are on it:
- Mariano Rivera
- Trevor Hoffman
- Lee Smith
- Francisco Rodriguez
- John Franco
- Billy Wagner
- Kenley Jansen
- Craig Kimbrel
The all-time leader in saves is Yankees icon Mariano Rivera, a reliever that’s been called arguably the greatest reliever in the game’s history. Rivera — who could attribute his success to a nasty cutter — recorded 652 saves, 51 more than former Padres RP Trevor Hoffman’s career total.
Three names on this list — Mariano Rivera, Trevor Hoffman, and Lee Smith — were all inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. Those three could be joined in the near future by Billy Wagner and Francisco Rodriguez, both of whom remain on the ballot.
The two most recent names to be added to this list were Kenley Jansen and Craig Kimbrel. Both notched their 400th career save during the 2023 regular season. Aroldis Chapman, who notched 317 career saves as of 5/27/2023, is the closest active pitcher to the 400 save marker.
Note: All stats are regular season only.
