The Hold Up 8/9: Ranking the Top 80 Relievers for Holds Every Thursday

[holds_list list_id=”24333″ 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.

• With the Nationals losing another closer, Ryan Madson will be forced into save situations for the time being until either Sean Doolittle or Kelvin Herrera are able to return. Justin Miller and recently signed Greg Holland look like the favorites to work in a setup role for now, although Koda Glover, who was just closing out games for the Nationals a little over a year ago, was called up Wednesday and manager Dave Martinez indicated he could slide into high leverage situations immediately. I’d rather take a flyer on Glover over Holland until the situation gets a little clearer.
• Two relievers who have thrived since changing teams at the trade deadline are Brandon Kintzler and Brad Brach. Brach has yet to allow a run in 4 innings while striking out 5 and picking up 2 holds, while Kintzler has also had an ERA of 0 since changing teams, and has 3 holds over 4 outings.
•  Jesse Biddle, Steve Cishek, Trevor Hildenberger, Brandon Kintzler, Seung-hwan Oh and Taylor Rogers all had 3 holds this past week. Oh has been awesome since moving to Colorado, picking up 4 holds and a save in his first 7 appearances with the team while not allowing a run.