[holds_list list_id=”23456″ include_stats=”1″ season=”2018″]
Today we will take look at the updated non-closer 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.
- Victor Arano, Scott Alexander, and Collin McHugh were the biggest risers inside the top 40 this week. Arano has worked his way into being Seranthony Dominguez’s primary handcuff and has been missing bats at a high clip this season. Alexander continues to pitch well and pick up holds as the Dodgers top left-handed reliever. McHugh may finally start seeing some steady hold opportunities, as he picked up his first two holds of the season this past week.
- Neil Ramirez and Jace Fry were both bumped out of the top 40 after some struggles this week. With Andrew Miller nearing a return, Ramirez’s grip on consistent holds will likely take a hit. He’s also coming off an outing that saw him allow 3 hits and two home runs while only recording one out. After a terrific start to the year, Fry has cooled off in a big way and now has an ERA of 7.15 over the past month while only adding two holds.
- Edgar Santana, Dan Jennings, Daniel Hudson, Scott Alexander and Trevor Hildenberger all had 3 HD’s this past week. This list perfectly represents just how volatile holds are to come by in this game.
Does Greg Holland ever get back into the mix for regular holds or dare I say saves this season?
Every time I think he is making positive strides, he goes and blows up like he did Sunday. Think it’s a lost season for him.
Rick, what do we make of Corbin Burnes in the Brewers’ bullpen? Only one appearance so far, but it was a 2 inning SV. I realize this is a HDs column, but it shows that the Brewers obviously think fondly of him and aren’t scared to use him immediately in high-leverage situations. His SP eligibility makes him especially valuable in my H2H HDs league. Is it so crazy to think that he ends up a right-handed Hader in the short-term, with less K upside? Or even in a McHugh/2017 Devenski/2017 Chad Green middle/late relief role, to which I still attach decent value? Or is he going to get lost in the deep Brewer bullpen? Thanks for your awesome work!
I like Burnes and definitely will monitor how he is used, but for now, I see a hard path towards consistent holds for him. Knebel, Hader, and Jeffress are definitely locked in ahead of him, while Jennings, Williams, and Albers when healthy have pitched pretty well also. I’m intrigued, but willing to wait and see for now.
Based on pure stats alone I’m looking at grabbing Scott Alexander LAD. Do you know anything about him?
I was high in him before the season started and despite a terrible start to the year and battling through injuries, he’s been money the last month of the season. He won’t give you great K numbers, but he posts ridiculous GB/FB splits, with his GB% currently at 74.3%. Relievers not prone to HR’s are always a big plus and now that he is working in a setup role due to all the injuries in that bullpen, he makes for one of the better hold options out there.