The Hold Up 9/14: Ranking the Top 70 Relievers for Holds Every Week

At this point of the year, there are only 2-3 weeks left for your 2017 fantasy baseball squad, at best, so hopefully you have a roster you feel comfortable rolling with. There are always some minor tweaks and streaming options that you may be considering, especially when looking for bullpen help. This list is essentially a last-ditch effort to figuring out what non-closer relievers can be most valuable for you going forward.

TIER 1: Good Vibrations

1. Anthony Swarzak (Milwaukee Brewers)

2. Archie Bradley (Arizona Diamondbacks)

3. David Robertson (New York Yankees)

After all three of these guys had another productive week for fantasy purposes, it seems as if though the trio has separated themselves a bit from the rest of the pack. Anthony Swarzak and David Robertson have been phenomenal for a long time running now in 4 SV+HD categories, Archie Bradley makes up for his average K rate with his 22 holds and low ratios.

TIER 2: I’ll Be There For You

4. Ryan Madson (Washington Nationals)

5. Addison Reed (Boston Red Sox)

6. Kyle Barraclough (Miami Marlins)

7. Yusmeiro Petit (Los Angeles Angels)

8. Tommy Hunter (Tampa Bay Rays)

9. Mychal Givens (Baltimore Orioles)

10. Dellin Betances (New York Yankees)

11. Pat Neshek (Colorado Rockies)

12. Chris Devenski (Houston Astros)

13. Carl Edwards Jr. (Chicago Cubs)

14. Chad Green (New York Yankees)

15. Trevor Hildenberger (Minnesota Twins)

16. Brandon Kintzler (Washington Nationals)

Kyle Barraclough received a save opportunity on Tuesday with Brad Ziegler ailing and failed to convert in what was an ugly appearance. He blew the save and was lucky to not end up with a loss in the outing. It’s not a good sign that the walk totals seem to be creeping back in to the picture for him (4 in past 1.2 IP) but there are few options with higher upside out there. I’d hang tight for now.
I can’t heap enough praise for him but Chad Green really has a chance to be true difference maker down the stretch. He won’t help with saves, holds or wins, but he will help steady your ERA and WHIP while giving you 7+ K’s a week. He may be that guy that almost every one who wins their league has rostered at the end of the season and is the one guy worth owning in any 12+ team league.

TIER 3: Torn

17. Kirby Yates (San Diego Padres)

18. Tyler Lyons (St. Louis Cardinals)

19. Cam Bedrosian (Los Angeles Angels)

20. Taylor Rogers (Minnesota Twins)

21. Dominic Leone (Toronto Blue Jays)

22. Mike Minor (Kansas City Royals)

23. Bryan Shaw (Cleveland Indians)

24. Nick Vincent (Seattle Mariners)

25. Will Harris (Houston Astros)

26. Brad Brach (Baltimore Orioles)

27. Tommy Kahnle (New York Yankees)

28. Ryan Tepera (Toronto Blue Jays)

29. Brandon Morrow (Los Angeles Dodgers)

30. Joe Smith (Cleveland Indians)

Nick Vincent and Will Harris move way down the list as they both are trying to snap out of their respective funk’s. Vincent hasn’t had a clean inning in over a week now, and his September numbers are certainly cause for concern. That being said, I’d imagine the team still plans on sticking with him in a set-up role, so if he can right the ship, he still provides good value to fantasy owners who are willing to trust him.
Will Harris on the other hand has just not been used the same since returning from the DL back in August. I get the feeling the Astros are essentially trying to save him for the playoffs by using him as sparingly as they have. Even when he does get a chance, they haven’t been in hold situations, but I’d imagine his usage may start to trend that way just to get him where he needs to be heading into October. I still wouldn’t bank on it, especially if there are better options available.

TIER 4: You Get What You Give

31. Darren O’Day (Baltimore Orioles)

32. Pedro Baez (Los Angeles Dodgers)

33. David Hernandez (Arizona Diamondbacks)

34. Ryan Dull (Oakland Athletics)

35. Jake McGee (Colorado Rockies)

36. Tony Watson (Los Angeles Dodgers)

37. Pedro Strop (Chicago Cubs)

38. Jake Diekman (Texas Rangers)

39. Mike Dunn (Colorado Rockies)

40. Luis Garcia (Philadelphia Phillies)

41. Chris Rusin (Colorado Rockies)

42. Steve Cishek (Tampa Bay Rays)

43. Alex Wilson (Detroit Tigers)

44. Jose Ramirez (Atlanta Braves)

45. Ryan Buchter (Kansas City Royals)

46. Craig Stammen (San Diego Padres)

47. Peter Moylan (Kansas City Royals)

48. Edubray Ramos (Philadelphia Phillies)

49. Drew Steckenrider (Miami Marlins)

50. Joe Musgrove (Houston Astros)

Ryan Dull had a fantastic week, and is starting to show why there was some talk of him being a closer candidate just this past winter. He has 4 holds over the past two weeks to go along with 7 K’s in 7.2 innings. Blake Treinen continues to be hit or miss in the 9th inning and it wouldn’t be crazy to see Dull in the role by the end of September.
Drew Steckenrider is another potential sleeper candidate that is just waiting in the weeds right now. There’s always the outside chance the team just decides to shut down Brad Ziegler, and if Kyle Barraclough continues to have control problems, the door would open up for Steckenrider to start earning the rest of the teams save chances. Even if he stays with his current 7th inning setup gig, he still carries some fantasy value and is SP eligible in most leagues which is a big plus.