The Hold Up 5/3: Ranking the Top 80 Relievers for Holds Every Thursday

[holds_list list_id=”18949″ include_stats=”1″ season=”2018″]

Today we will take look at the updated non-closer (committees included) reliever market as there are some changes to the list since our previous installment. Keep in mind, just because a player is ranked below another player (especially when in the same tier), that doesn’t mean you need to rush to drop them for a higher ranked player. These rankings are mostly to be used on a tier by tier scale and apply towards the pitcher’s value for the rest of the season.

• While Dellin Betances has just one hold (April 19th) to his credit this year, he has been able to put together some impressive outings over the last two weeks and should start seeing some set-up work in due time. The thing that stands out the most is the lowered walk rate, allowing just 2 walks (compared to 15 strikeouts) over his past 7 innings of work. In hold’s leagues where he was dropped early in the year, he is worth a look again.
• Kyle Barraclough picked up a save last week, but since Don Mattingly refused to name him as the closer or part of a committee, he stays on the list for the time being. He is still walking way too many batters, hence why Drew Steckenrider is ahead of him, but at least is flashing that dominant strikeout upside. There may not be too much to look forward to in Miami right now, but a potential Steckenrider/Barraclough duo, plus the emergence of Tayron Guerrero leaves the future of the bullpen looking bright.
• Brandon Kintzler has bounced back nicely after a really rocky beginning to the season and is even be ahead of Ryan Madson on the closing depth chart. That’s probably just due to the fact Madson doesn’t like the 9th inning but it’s still good to see for Kintzler’s outlook, given the extensive injury history Sean Doolittle has.
• Despite only throwing 5 innings at AAA and 5 innings at the MLB level and having almost no prospect status, 25-year-old Justin Anderson has become one of the most popular waiver adds over the past 48 hours, with some speculating he will fill in for the injured Keynan Middleton (projected back next week). He very well might after Cam Bedrosian’s blown save Tuesday night, but I don’t see what all there is to get excited about just yet. Let’s keep in mind that last year in his first full season as a reliever last year, he posted a 5.06 ERA and a 36/29 K/BB ratio over 58.2 innings at the AA level. There certainly is some upside though, his fastball does sit at 98 and he is throwing his slider almost 63% of the time, which looks like it can be a pretty nasty pitch, but I think the track record warrants that we keep the hype in check for the time being. I still can’t argue against a speculative add for those who have room on their roster.