While few things have change since the All Star break, the one thing of note is that it seems Carson Smith has officially taken over the closer role in Seattle. After constant back and forth, there finally seems to be no plausible argument that Smith isn’t the better and more effective pitcher.
Anyway, let’s take a look at where we are in the world of Holds:
TIER 1: Cream of the Crop – This group is the cream of the crop. Ample opportunity for holds, high K-rates and low ERA’s make these guys a must own in any Holds league.
1. Dellin Betances (Yankees)
2. Wade Davis (Royals)
3. Tony Watson (Pirates)
. Joe Smith (Angels)
5. Carter Capps (Marlins) +1
6. Pat Neshek (Astros) -1
7. Sergio Romo (Giants)
8. Ken Giles (Phillies)
TIER 2: Solid Performers – All excellent relievers, but whether it be their role or consistency, they aren’t quite on that elite level.
9. Kevin Siegrist (Cardinals)
10. Joaquin Benoit (Padres )
11. Kelvin Herrera (Royals)
12. Jared Hughes (Pirates) +1
13. Kevin Jepsen (Rays) +1
14. Junichi Tazawa (Red Sox) +1
15. Justin Wilson (Yankees) +1
16. Arquímedes Caminero (Pirates) +2
17. Jake McGee (Rays) +2
18. Zach Duke (White Sox) -1
20. Pedro Strop (Cubs)
21. Darren O’Day (Orioles)
TIER 3: Rolling the Dice – There is some potential for holds from this group, however don’t bet the farm on them being among the league leaders.
22. Will Smith (Brewers) +1
23. J.J. Hoover (Reds) -1
24. Drew Pomeranz (Athletics)
25. Daniel Hudson (Diamondbacks)
Moving On Up
In this week’s unsurprisingly new development, Carson Smith has seemingly wrestled the closer’s job away from Fernando Rodney, again. My gut tells me this is the last time we have this conversation this year. One fallout of this is that the Mariners will need a fireman for the middle innings when they have a lead. Good thing for them they have that in Mark Lowe, who has put together a very strong year so far and has 10 of his 11 holds since the beginning of June.