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While holds are even tougher to predict than saves, the players we’ll highlight today include some elite setup men to target off the waiver wire for Week 18 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.
Let's get to it.
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Week 18 Waiver Wire Pickups for Holds
Taylor Rogers, Minnesota Twins
24 Holds, 3.79 ERA, 40.1 IP, 32 K, 1.29 WHIP
With the Minnesota Twins bouncing from buyers to sellers, Taylor Rogers has emerged from the trade deadline as a stronger holds candidate, with Brandon Kintzler traded away. Opponents are hitting .203 against Rogers this year. Using a 92.9 mph sinker and 78.5 mph curveball, Rogers may not strike out a batter per inning but he generates a ground ball on 46.7 percent of batted balls. Rogers allows most of his contact outside of the zone so the high ground ball rate makes sense. Along with Matt Belisle, Rogers figures to share the eighth and ninth inning as both relievers will be candidates for holds and saves as the Twins wrap up this season.
Tony Watson, Los Angeles Dodgers
10 Saves, 7 Holds, 3.59 ERA, 47.2 IP, 35 K, 1.51 WHIP
Do not let the numbers fool you, the Los Angeles Dodgers have acquired an elite middle reliever in Tony Watson. During Watson's time with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Watson rightfully earned the first opportunity at saves but struggled in the high leverage ninth inning role. For most of his career, Watson was a setup reliever and he was elite in that role. With a 93.3 mph fastball, 85.9 mph changeup, and 84.7 mph slider, Watson is going to handle tough lefties in hopes of securing wins for a strong contender. If he has not been claimed in holds leagues, put a waiver wire claim in immediately as he will secure holds with his new team.
Nick Goody, Cleveland Indians
3 Holds, 2.29 ERA, 39.1 IP, 50 K, 1.14 WHIP
With Andrew Miller briefly sidelined, the Cleveland Indians can look to Nick Goody to step into higher leverage situations in their hunt for the Central division title. Despite some recent struggles, the good season by Goody will push him into the final three innings of the game, securing more holds. Opponents are hitting .204 against Goody in his first year with the Indians. Relying on a 83.2 mph slider and 91.8 mph fastball; Goody is averaging well over a strikeout per inning. Goody generates league average swings but allows below league average contact. While Miller is out, Goody can be a brief waiver wire claim as he will see opportunities at holds.
Anthony Swarzak, Milwaukee Brewers
1 Save, 12 Holds, 2.28 ERA, 51.1 IP, 57 K, 1.01 WHIP
The Milwaukee Brewers looked to fortify their bullpen when they acquired Anthony Swarzak. Splitting time between the Chicago White Sox and the Brewers, Swarzak has opponents hitting .210 against him this year. With a 94.5 mph fastball and 86.6 mph slider, Swarzak is averaging over a strikeout per inning. Mostly used in the seventh inning while a member of the White Sox, Swarzak is now an eighth inning reliever with the Brewers so expect him to see numerous hold opportunities as they try to compete for the Central division.
Tommy Kahnle, New York Yankees
9 Holds, 2.28 ERA, 43.1 IP, 71 K, 0.90 WHIP
The breakout season for reliever Tommy Kahnle has paid dividends as he is a part of the playoff-contending New York Yankees now. Averaging 14.7 strikeouts per nine innings, Kahnle is dominating opponents to a .204 batting average. With a 98.0 mph fastball, 90.3 mph changeup, and 86.7 mph slider; Kahnle is above league average swings and below league average contact. Kahnle joins a remarkable bullpen in New York so he looks to figure into at least the seventh inning of most games with a lead. If he does not enter a game with an opportunity for a hold, his value remains high as he puts strong numbers in multiple categories.
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