June 23, 2017

Ryan Nakada analyzes five MLB relief pitchers (RP) and setup men to target for holds as fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and adds for Week 12 of the MLB season.

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 12 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 12 Waiver Wire Pickups for Holds

Carl Edwards, Chicago Cubs

8 Holds, 1.84 ERA, 29.1 IP, 40 K, 0.89 WHIP

The Chicago Cubs are coming to life after a rough start and reliever Carl Edwards may be a huge beneficiary from them warming up. Armed with a 95.1 mph fastball and an 81.0 mph slider, Edwards is striking out well over a batter per inning and is showing good control. Opponents are hitting just .126 against Edwards this year. In addition to striking out batters at a great rate, Edwards also keep the batted ball on the ground 47.3 percent of the time. Edwards is a young talented power pitcher that has found himself in the seventh and eighth inning frequently so look for him as he secures holds for the World Series champions.

Andrew Chafin, Arizona Diamondbacks

8 Holds, 1.90 ERA, 23.2 IP, 33 K, 1.06 WHIP

The Arizona Diamondbacks are deep in a competitive West division but they are holding their own. Reliever Andrew Chafin has been contributing to a number of wins for the Diamondbacks. Chafin has seen full innings or come in for specific lefties throughout the 2017 regular season. While lefties are hitting .185 against Chafin, batters overall are hitting to a .195 batting average this year so he remains effective against righties as well. With a sinker at 93.3 mph and slider at 82.4 mph, Chafin gets batted balls to stay low 59.3 percent of the time. The Diamondbacks appear poised to fight for the division all season so look to Chafin for holds if they are a statistic needed in your league.

Enny Romero, Washington Nationals

7 Holds, 2 Saves, 3.44 ERA, 34.0 IP, 39 K, 1.41 WHIP

The Washington Nationals bullpen is in chaos but lately, Enny Romero has found some consistency. The power pitching Romero implements a 98.0 mph fastball, 90.3 mph cutter, and an 86.0 mph slider. He strikes out more than a batter per inning. If Romero can find the deception to get swings out of the zone, Romero will be an exceptional reliever. The uncertainty that the Nationals bullpen presents creates opportunity for the likes of veteran Matt Albers and Romero. Both relievers have seen save opportunities among the injuries and struggles the team have endured. This will add to his appeal as a potential waiver wire pickup in holds leagues.

Chad Green, New York Yankees

3 Holds, 2.31 ERA, 23.1 IP, 28 K, 0.77 WHIP

After a long losing streak, the Yankees may see a change in their bullpen, trying to prevent another losing streak. Where Tyler Clippard has been struggling of late, reliever Chad Green has started to shine. The versatile pitcher has pitched as a starter, long reliever and setup reliever this year so his repertoire reflects this. Green uses a 95.5 mph fastball, 84.5 mph slider, and 89.6 mph cutter to hold opponents to a .156 batting average this year. Green throws swing-and-miss stuff, generating league average swings but below league average contact. While Clippard irons out the problems he currently has, Green could prove to be a valuable candidate for holds.

Mike Minor, Kansas City Royals

8 Holds, 2.06 ERA, 35.0 IP, 34 K, 1.03 WHIP

The Kansas City Royals are looking to stay in the hunt for the division and converting Mike Minor to a reliever has paid dividends. With a 94.2 mph fastball and an 88.6 mph slider, Minor is holding opponents to a .200 batting average this year. Like any reliever converted from a starter, Minor has added velocity since taking on the reliever role. In addition to striking out nearly a batter per inning, Minor keeps the batted ball down 44.6 percent of the time. Minor relies on contact being out of the zone and throwing first pitch strikes above league average. Fully embracing his new role, Minor has secured eight holds and will continue doing so in a competitive Central division, making him a valuable option for a waiver wire pickup in holds leagues.

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