Top 100 Relievers to Own in Save+Hold Leagues: 5/4 Update

[sv_hlds_list list_id=”19022″ include_stats=”1″ season=”2018″]

Following up on our weekly Closers and Holds articles will be our Top 100 RP’s for SV+HD leagues every Friday. Use this list to get a feel for the current reliever market and to gauge value for trades, waiver adds, etc. Keep in mind, holds are much more volatile and harder to predict. We’ve only seen one season from a pitcher with more than 30 holds since 2016, while 26 closers have gone over 30 saves in that same timeframe.

NOTES

• Despite a fair amount of negative feedback for their decision to use Brad Boxberger as closer and keep Archie Bradley in a setup role, the Diamondbacks bullpen continues to roll and Bradley is looking like a potential All-Star at this point. It’s crazy to see him hold a 10.26 K/9 though with only a 9% SwStr rate. Even if his strikeout rate declines, his ability to pound the strike zone, get groundballs and limit hard contact should keep him in the discussion as one of the best set up men in baseball.
• The Astro’s bullpen is once again in turmoil after this weeks series with the Yankees. Ken Giles has always been bad in non-save situations, so Tuesday’s night’s meltdown wasn’t too shocking, but it still feels like A.J. Hinch doesn’t have a grasp on how he wants to use these guys. Preferably he could use Brad Peacock and Will Harris strictly against right-handed hitters, with Chris Devenski against any lefties, but I get how that would be hard, if not impossible, to manage.
• Matt Barnes and Joe Kelly have put together a nice couple of weeks lately, giving the Red Sox much-needed relief in front of Craig Kimbrel. Barnes has allowed 5 baserunners over his last 5.2 innings to go with 10 K’s and 4 holds, while Kelly has allowed just 3 hits, 0 walks with 7 strikeouts and 2 holds over 6 innings. Carson Smith has been better but shouldn’t be a threat to either, although Tyler Thornburg should factor in once he is activated off the DL.
• Chaz Roe has been working as one of the Rays set up options lately but while the 8 holds are nice, he’s not a big strikeout threat and has a 7.36 ERA and 1.64 WHIP over the last two weeks. Given his track record, I’d look elsewhere if possible, but it is nice to finally see his slider get some use in high leverage situations.