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While the holds statistic is even harder to predict than saves for closers, the players we highlight today feature some elite setup men. The more likely an MLB team is to win, the more likely these following relief pitchers will be eligible to earn the holds that could be the difference between winning or losing in your fantasy league. Based on current ownership percentages, many of these pitchers are still available on waiver wires.
Relief Pitcher Waiver Wire Pickups & Adds for Holds
Joe Smith, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (24% Owned)
2014 Stats: 18 holds, 1.81 ERA, 74.2 innings, 68 strikeouts, 0.80 WHIP
While the majority of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim bullpen was shaky in the 2014 season, Joe Smith may have had his best season in the setup role. The 31-year-old Smith posted his career-best ERA while pitching in his career-high innings. Smith has never been a power arm, relying on pitches that sit in the low or high 80s. So Joe Smith relies on weak contact and the batted balls staying on the ground. In the 2014 season, Smith generated a ground ball in just over 59 percent of the time. In his career-high 74.2 innings, Smith allowed four home runs or a HR/9 of 0.5, a very impressive number. Closer Huston Street is firmly in control of being the closer so Joe Smith will continue in his usual setup role for the Angels in the 2015 season.
Jordan Walden, St. Louis Cardinals (5% Owned)
2014 Stats: 20 holds, 2.88 ERA, 50.0 innings, 62 strikeouts, 1.20 WHIP
Acquired in an offseason trade, the St. Louis Cardinals have a relief pitcher with closer experience and power stuff in Jordan Walden. The 27-year-old Walden posted his best ERA in a full season last year with the Atlanta Braves. With a fastball that still averages around 95 MPH, Walden will likely fit into a late inning role with his new team. In addition, if closer Trevor Rosenthal struggles, the Cardinals could turn to Walden for closing opportunities with the experience he has had in the past.
Andrew Miller, New York Yankees (55% Owned)
2014 Stats: 22 holds, 2.02 ERA, 62.1 innings, 103 strikeouts, 0.80 WHIP
The impressive 2014 postseason showing earned Andrew Miller his large contract with the New York Yankees. Split time with the Boston Red Sox and the Baltimore Orioles; the 29-year-old Andrew Miller dominated batters without a noticeable split between right- and left-handed batters. In 2014, Miller actually kept right-handed batters (.145) to a lower batting average than left-handed batters (.163), though neither is something for opponents to be proud of. A potential upside to having Miller on your fantasy team is not only for holds but for possible saves as well. If Dellin Betances suffers a sophomore slump, and let’s face it, anything Betances does will be below his outstanding season; Andrew Miller could find himself in some closer situations, notching saves on days when Betances rests or the matchups suit Miller better.
Wade Davis, Kansas City Royals (57% Owned)
2014 Stats: 33 holds, 1.00 ERA, 72.0 innings, 109 strikeouts, 0.85 WHIP
Like Andrew Miller, Wade Davis had an outstanding season but October is where the big stars can shine brightest. The 2014 season by Wade Davis is nothing to brush off though. In the 2014 season, the 29-year-old Wade Davis pitched exclusively as a reliever and posted an outstanding ERA and did not allow a home run over the course of his 72.0 innings. The Royals kept their three-headed monster together, firmly implanted in the bullpen. Wade Davis will likely be the eighth inning reliever between Herrera and Holland so expect him to have a successful 2015 campaign, just not as outstanding as his 2014 showing.
Darren O'Day, Baltimore Orioles (17% Owned)
2014 Stats: 25 holds, 1.70 ERA, 68.2 innings, 73 strikeouts, 0.89 WHIP
Like many mentioned today, Darren O’Day may have had his best season last year. O’Day struck out a career-high number of batters while pitching a career-high innings and putting a career-best ERA in his third year with the Baltimore Orioles. Relying on an unorthodox motion and sweeping breaking ball, the 32-year-old Darren O’Day has been a consistent producer in late inning situations. Over his seven-year career, O’Day has secured at least 20 holds in each one of them with a career-high 33 last year.
