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While holds are even tougher to predict than saves, the players we’ll highlight today include some elite setup men. 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.
If you play in a holds league, check out these relief pitcher waiver wire options for Week 10 of the fantasy baseball season.
Editor’s Note: to read about even more waiver wire options for relief pitchers, be sure to check out our famous waiver wire pickups list which is a running list that is updated daily.
Week 10 Holds League Waiver Wire Adds
Josh Fields, Houston Astros
2 holds, 1.38 ERA, 13.0 innings, 21 strikeouts, 0.85 WHIP
The Houston Astros have a definitive lead over other competition in the American League West and a revitalized bullpen is one of the reasons why. Righty reliever Josh Fields has been lights out on the mound. Relying on a 94 MPH fastball with a curveball that averages 76.5 MPH as a secondary pitch, Fields is keeping opponents to a .143 batting average. Quite the disparity in speeds. With Luke Gregerson handling closing duties and Pat Neshek as the setup man in the eighth inning, the 29-year-old Fields mans the seventh inning. If the Astros are real, Fields will snag some holds over the course of the season.
Keone Kela, Texas Rangers
5 holds, 1.90 ERA, 23.2 innings, 21 strikeouts, 1.27 WHIP
Keone Kela has had a very impressive rookie season. The 22-year-old nearly has a strikeout per inning pitched and he has quality pitches. Along with a fastball that approaches 95 MPH, Kela turns to a curveball around 83 MPH about 25.3% of the time. His 45.7% ground ball rate is another positive in a successful rookie campaign. What could be alarming is the 32.9% fly ball rate in a hitter friendly park like Globe Life Park. Keone Kela doesn't have a history of surrendering the long ball. If he can continue his success throughout the season, he will be a valuable pickup for holds or even saves.
Seth Maness, St. Louis Cardinals
6 holds, 3.80 ERA, 21.1 innings, 15 strikeouts, 1.36 WHIP
When you're on the best team in the league, the opportunity to hold onto a lead will come and it will come often. Ask Seth Maness. The 26-year-old righty is not going to strike out everyone, but the two-pitch pitcher has a 59 percent ground ball rate. With a sinker that averages 89.3 MPH used 56.2% of the time, the ground ball rate is expected. As long as the St. Louis Cardinals are successful, expect Maness to get his share of holds.
Rob Scahill, Pittsburgh Pirates
1 hold, 1.83 ERA, 19.2 innings, 17 strikeouts, 1.63 WHIP
If you have watched the Pirates recently, forgive Rob Scahill for the grand mistake to end May. He's had a better season than his record indicates. His low ERA indicates he is getting the job done despite losing three games. Over the course of this season, the 28-year-old has given up 10 runs but only four are earned. Scahill has an impressive 66 percent ground ball rate. As the defense solidifies behind him, Scahill will earn wins and holds.
Chasen Shreve, New York Yankees
1 hold, 2.38 ERA, 22.2 innings, 24 strikeouts, 0.93 WHIP
When the New York Yankees made an offseason trade for a pair of relievers on the Atlanta Braves, David Carpenter was viewed as the bigger acquisition. The Yankees have cut bait with Carpenter, but Chasen Shreve is doing his best to make the trade worthwhile. The 24-year-old lefty has been a very impressive member of a strong Yankees bullpen. The current Yankees bullpen features five lefties. However, Shreve has a reverse platoon split. Right-handed bats are hitting .167 and left-handed bats are hitting .240. He leans on a low-90s fastball, low-80s slider, and a splitter.
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