The Hold Up 8/2: Ranking the Top 80 Relievers for Holds Every Thursday

[holds_list list_id=”24204″ 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.

• Following his trade to Pittsburgh, Keone Kela essentially swaps places with Jose Leclerc on the saves and holds lists this week. Kela’s been great the past two months, posting an ERA of 2.35 and WHIP of 1.11 with 20 K’s over 15.1 innings and should immediately slot in to 8th inning duties in front of closer Felipe Vazquez.
• The Astros bullpen landscape has changed pretty significantly over the past couple of weeks. Brad Peacock and Chris Devenski no longer have the inside track to holds as the teams primary set up options, with Collin McHugh, Ryan Pressly, Hector Rondon and soon Roberto Osuna likely working in high leverage, late inning situations.
• Jeremy Jeffress, Joakim Soria, and Yoshi Hirano all had 3 holds this past week. Jeffress and Soria earning 6 holds while Josh Hader had 0 is a big part of the reason for Hader’s slide this week. Jose Leclerc also had 3 holds this past week but has since moved into the Rangers closer role.