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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 19 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 19 Waiver Wire Pickups for Holds
Jose Ramirez, Atlanta Braves
19 Holds, 2.31 ERA, 46.2 IP, 43 K, 1.08 WHIP
Jose Ramirez has been a bright spot to carry into next season for the Atlanta Braves but he will continue contributing this year. In an outstanding season, Ramirez is holding opponents to a .191 batting average. With a 97.3 mph fastball, 89.4 mph slider, and 86.0 mph changeup, Ramirez is averaging just under a strikeout per inning. But with the lower strikeout rate comes a lower base on balls rate too. With Ramirez keeping the ball in the strike zone, he is getting above league average swings but below league average contact. He regularly pitches in the seventh or eighth inning so expect him to be called upon for holds in close games.
Tony Zych, Seattle Mariners
1 Save, 11 Holds, 2.17 ERA, 37.1 IP, 33 K, 1.21 WHIP
The Seattle Mariners are in the thick of the Wild Card race and Tony Zych will be called upon to tally holds to lock up important wins. The Mariners are not afraid to use Zych in many situations, pitching in the sixth, seventh or eighth inning. This year, opponents are hitting .198 against him this year. With a 94.6 mph fastball and 80.6 mph changeup, Zych generates ground balls on 50.5 percent of batted balls. With the high ground ball rate, Zych gets a lot of swings out of the zone but does not allow a lot of contact out of the zone. Deep in the race for October baseball, Zych can be a strong waiver wire claim in holds leagues.
Brad Boxberger, Tampa Bay Rays
3 Holds, 3.38 ERA, 13.1 IP, 16 K, 1.13 WHIP
The Tampa Bay Rays need former closer Brad Boxberger to help them make up ground in the Wild Card race. Opponents are hitting .178 against Boxberger. With a 92.4 mph fastball, 80.5 mph changeup, and 85.7 mph slider; Boxberger is averaging more than a strikeout per inning. Boxberger generates above league average swings and misses. Boxberger will benefit from throwing more first-pitch strikes and will continue seeing his role in games elevated to the late three innings of the game as the season comes through its final two months.
Joakim Soria, Kansas City Royals
1 Save, 15 Holds, 3.21 ERA, 47.2 IP, 57 K, 1.20 WHIP
The Kansas City Royals added to their bullpen but veteran Joakim Soria remains a staple in their late innings for holds. In 42 of Soria's 50 appearances, he has pitched in the eighth inning. Opponents are hitting .238 against Soria this year. Primarily relying on a 93.1 mph fastball, an 88.2 mph changeup and his signature 70.9 mph curveball, Soria is striking out more than a batter per inning. Soria generates ground balls on 56.5 percent of batted balls. The Royals will remain relevant in many races for the postseason and they will need Soria to bring his experience through the rest of the season and be a welcome addition to a team in holds leagues.
Jerry Blevins, New York Mets
1 Save, 13 Holds, 2.78 ERA, 35.2 IP, 50 K, 1.26 WHIP
The New York Mets are determining who is worth keeping and lefty Jerry Blevins will be making his case. With an 88.9 mph fastball and 71.0 mph curveball, Blevins has opponents hitting .207 and lefties are hitting .176 so expect him to be used in specific situations against specific batters. He generally gets swings out of the zone without contact as evident by his strong strikeout per nine innings. Batted balls are generally fly balls or ground balls so it is to his benefit to pitch in the spacious Citi Field. With the high strikeout rate and likelihood to be used frequently, he can be a worthwhile waiver wire claim for the statistics he will fill in.
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