The Hold Up 3/29: Ranking The Top 80 Relievers For Holds Every Thursday

[holds_list season=”2018″ include_stats=”0″ list_id=”15927″]

Meaningful baseball is finally upon us, as today marks the next milestone in the grind that is fantasy baseball ownership.

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 should rush to drop the 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.

• Tier 1 is basically the massive K upside group, at least for the most part. Ryan Madson may not be one of those types, but his elite command and overall situation keep him locked in as a top-tier holds option.
• The next tier is the very solid, if unspectacular group with pretty much all of these guys beginning the year in a set-up role. They should also contribute positive ratios while chipping in some K’s. Both Mets set-up options are here, but this situation could get a whole lot dicier if they sign Greg Holland. As is, I still prefer Anthony Swarzak as he should have a more positive effect on the other categories than AJ Ramos.
• The third tier represents some of the more shaky set-up options in the league, albeit ones with some upside. Emilio Pagan and Kenyan Middleton both have future closer type stuff, and could find there way into some high leverage late inning work sooner rather than later. I like Tony Watson in San Francisco this season, and think he is the team’s best alternative closing option if/when Mark Melancon hits the DL.
• Tier 4 has a surprise name I was not expecting to see on this list for another year or two. Jordan Hicks will begin the season on the MLB roster, despite having no experience past A ball. He was turning heads in the Arizona Fall League this past year with his ability to get it up to 99 on the radar gun and is following a path very similar to Edwin Diaz and Roberto Osuna. Don’t be surprised to see him closing out games come August/September. I don’t know where exactly to place Yoshihisa Hirano but feel like this makes sense giving his inability to miss bats at a high rate. He should at least still factor into some holds early on in the season.