The Hold Up 9/21: Ranking the Top 70 Relievers for Holds Every Week

The season is quickly coming to a close but that doesn’t mean it’s time to stop evaluating your roster yet. With September call ups, some roster situation become more dicey, especially for non-playoff teams and definitely when it comes to bullpen roles. There are a few options most likely available in your leagues right now who have fallen into a setup role with their respective teams and could be of help to your fantasy team. One or two holds one way or another can cost you a win (I know I’ve been there) so it’s better to be safe and stack up your RP options at this time and make sure you are in a position to win that category.

TIER 1: Good Vibrations

1. Anthony Swarzak (Milwaukee Brewers)

2. Andrew Miller (Cleveland Indians)

3. David Robertson (New York Yankees)

4. Ryan Madson (Washington Nationals)

5. Archie Bradley (Arizona Diamondbacks)

Andrew Miller was finally activated of the DL last week and has been throwing well since. His usage will probably be limited the rest of the way, but he is still worth being on your roster anyways.

TIER 2: I’ll Be There For You

6. Yusmeiro Petit (Los Angeles Angels)

7. Addison Reed (Boston Red Sox)

8. Tommy Hunter (Tampa Bay Rays)

9. Carl Edwards Jr. (Chicago Cubs)

10. Chad Green (New York Yankees)

11. Kirby Yates (San Diego Padres)

12. Mike Minor (Kansas City Royals)

13. Pat Neshek (Colorado Rockies)

14. Kyle Barraclough (Miami Marlins)

15. Chris Devenski (Houston Astros)

16. Dellin Betances (New York Yankees)

17. Brandon Kintzler (Washington Nationals)

18. Trevor Hildenberger (Minnesota Twins)

19. Mychal Givens (Baltimore Orioles)

Decided to leave all members of the Royals closer by committee team because it is difficult to tell who exactly the leader of the pack may be. My money is on Mike Minor though, and he definitely deserves getting the bulk of the chances with the year he is having. Even if he isn’t being used in the 9th inning, he should at the very least still see a few hold chances before the season is over.

TIER 3: Torn

20. Tyler Lyons (St. Louis Cardinals)

21. Cam Bedrosian (Los Angeles Angels)

22. Taylor Rogers (Minnesota Twins)

23. Darren O’Day (Baltimore Orioles)

24. Pedro Strop (Chicago Cubs)

25. Tommy Kahnle (New York Yankees)

26. Brad Brach (Baltimore Orioles)

27. Dominic Leone (Toronto Blue Jays)

28. Will Harris (Houston Astros)

29. Bryan Shaw (Cleveland Indians)

30. Ryan Tepera (Toronto Blue Jays)

31. Brandon Morrow (Los Angeles Dodgers)

32. Luis Garcia (Philadelphia Phillies)

33. Joe Musgrove (Houston Astros)

34. Ryan Dull (Oakland Athletics)

35. Joe Smith (Cleveland Indians)

Luis Garcia has quietly stepped up and been the Phillies best reliever since the All-Star break. He won’t strike out more than a batter in inning but he has been a solid source of holds while not destroying your ERA or WHIP. He is still available in most leagues, so those in need of some extra holds the next week or two should take a long look.

TIER 4: You Get What You Give

36. Tony Watson (Los Angeles Dodgers)

37. Michael Lorenzen (Cincinnati Reds)

38. Josh Hader (Milwaukee Brewers)

39. Nick Vincent (Seattle Mariners)

40. Jake Diekman (Texas Rangers)

41. Matt Barnes (Boston Red Sox)

42. David Hernandez (Arizona Diamondbacks)

43. Cory Gearrin (San Francisco Giants)

44. Jake McGee (Colorado Rockies)

45. Mike Dunn (Colorado Rockies)

46. Chris Rusin (Colorado Rockies)

47. Steve Cishek (Tampa Bay Rays)

48. Ryan Buchter (Kansas City Royals)

49. Craig Stammen (San Diego Padres)

50. Chris Hatcher (Oakland Athletics)

Once heralded prospect Josh Hader is starting to make a name for himself as a stud left-handed reliever for the Brewers. He has been striking out guys at a high pace since being called up (16.9 SwStr%), and is now beginning to pick up some holds in the process. 3 of his 8 holds this seasons have come in the past 2 weeks, so expect some more going forward. Out of nowhere it seems, the Brewers have established what may be the most dominant trio at the back-end of any bullpen in baseball.