The Hold Up 8/23: Ranking the Top 80 Relievers for Holds Every Thursday

[holds_list list_id=”24623″ 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.

• Chaz Roe and Hunter Strickland are back from the DL and make their first appearances on this list in a while. Despite the Rays being all but eliminated from playoff contention, they still happen to be a great spot for saves and holds (as they were last year) and Roe has been one of the biggest beneficiaries. Roe has 23 holds in 46 games this season and only Archie Bradley has that high of appearance to hold ratio (50%) among qualified relievers. Strickland is clearly out of the loop to get his job back as the Giants closer, and his role in that bullpen is still a bit questionable. He’s still worthy of a stash after his great start to the year and should see some more high leverage work as we get closer to September.
• Ryan Brasier makes his debut on the list at 20, and while that may seem high to some, he has emerged as the Red Sox 8th inning man and has posted great numbers so far this season. Over his first 18 innings in MLB baseball since 2013, Brasier is holding a 1.00 ERA with a .78 WHIP, 2.00 FIP, and 16.9 SwStr% and has been the Sox most consistent reliever outside of maybe Craig Kimbrel this season
• Similar to Kenta Maeda last week, Carlos Martinez makes his debut on this list now that he’ll be working out of the bullpen for the rest of the season. 5 may seem a little high to start with, but given that his first appearance coming of the DL he worked the 8th inning with a 3 run lead it seems likely he will be the teams primary set up option going forward. Factor in his high K upside and ability to be dominant and he should make for a great holds league option for your playoff run.
• Chaz Roe was the only reliever to have 4 holds this past week, although Jose Alvarado had 3 holds and a save. Brach continues to be fantastic with Atlanta, and hasn’t allowed an earned run over his past 6 outings while recording 6 strikeouts and 4 holds. As mentioned above, the Rays, despite missing out on the playoffs again, have consistently produced save chances the past few years and currently rank 4th in MLB this season with 56.