While holds are even tougher to predict than saves, the players we’ll highlight today include some elite setup men heading into Week 20 of the fantasy baseball season.

The more likely an MLB team is to win, the more likely these pitchers will be eligible to earn the holds that could be the difference between winning or losing in your fantasy league.

Editor’s Note: to read about even more waiver wire options for catchers, be sure to check out our famous waiver wire pickups list which is a running list that is updated daily. 

 

Waiver Wire Adds for Holds

Bo Schultz, Toronto Blue Jays

3 holds, 2.18 ERA, 33.0 innings, 26 strikeouts, 0.85 WHIP

The Toronto Blue Jays have been on a very powerful high since the trade deadline. Bo Schultz is not a name that is spoken of in many circles but he is having a good year in the Blue Jays' bullpen. The 29-year-old Schultz uses a fastball, cutter and slider this year. With a fastball approaching 96 MPH as his primary pitch, opponents are held to a .175 batting average. The Blue Jays' offense has shown how far fly balls can measure in the Rogers Centre so the 52.2 percent ground ball rate generated by Schultz is comforting for the team and potentially, your team in fantasy baseball.

 

Hansel Robles, New York Mets

6 holds, 4.35 ERA, 31.0 innings, 30 strikeouts, 1.16 WHIP

Another team that has been on a roll of late is the National League East-leading New York Mets. Rookie Hansel Robles has emerged as a reliable reliever that receives the call towards the late innings. The 25-year-old Robles is a hard-throwing right-hander, with a primary fastball that exceeds 95 MPH, he has a propensity to give up fly balls, 45.9 percent of the time. The pitcher-friendly Citi Field is to his benefit and as he continues to improve, he will get opportunities to notch a hold as the Mets continue the pursuit for the East.

 

Justin Grimm, Chicago Cubs

10 holds, 1.47 ERA, 30.2 innings, 44 strikeouts, 1.08 WHIP

Power pitcher Justin Grimm is having a good season for a contending Chicago Cubs. Averaging much more than a strikeout per inning pitched, Justin Grimm is dominating batters to a .180 batting average. Left-handed batters are hitting an abysmal .097 against Grimm this year. Justin Grimm is keeping the ball low with a 51.5 percent ground ball rate. His solid ground ball rate with a much lower fly ball (25.8) and line drive (22.7) rates are good reasons to expect continued success as the season progresses and the Cubs contend.

 

Xavier Cedeno, Tampa Bay Rays

14 holds, 2.03 ERA, 31.0 innings, 30 strikeouts, 1.26 WHIP

The Tampa Bay Rays are not likely for postseason baseball this year but Xavier Cedeno is putting together a good season. The left-handed specialist is doing a good job against left-handed batters. Left-handed opponents are hitting .211 against Cedeno. The 28-year-old Cedeno relies on movement over speed with his cutter and slider. Xavier Cedeno is keeping the ball down with a ground ball rate around 52 percent. The Rays have power arms at the back end of their bullpen and that could make a player like Xavier Cedeno overlooked, in season and in fantasy.

 

Justin Wilson, New York Yankees

19 holds, 2.38 ERA, 41.2 innings, 43 strikeouts, 1.06 WHIP

The Yankees have a trio of veteran power relievers that form the final three innings of the game. Two are highly recognized but one has gone under the radar for some, Justin Wilson. The 27-year-old Wilson is frequently seen in the seventh inning for the Yankees. Despite being used as a specialist at times, the Yankees are comfortable with using him against left or right-handed batters. Left-handed batters are hitting .193 against Wilson and right-handed batters hitting just .200, slightly better. Despite being nearly primary a fastball pitcher, 80.2 percent of the time, Wilson is generating ground balls at a good rate. At a 49.5 percent ground ball rate, Justin Wilson is minimizing the fly balls, a must in the hitter-friendly Yankee Stadium. Wilson has been very effective as a member of the Yankees bullpen and will continue to do so during a tight race to October baseball.

 

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