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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 10 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 10 Waiver Wire Pickups for Holds
James Pazos, Seattle Mariners
4 Holds, 2.39 ERA, 26.1 IP, 32 K, 1.10 WHIP
The Seattle Mariners are trying to make up ground on the West-leading Houston Astros and reliever James Pazos has been a strong part of sealing wins out of the bullpen. Pazos has seen full innings of work, so he is not treated like a lefty specialist. With a 95.6 mph power sinker and an 81.6 mph slider, Pazos generates a ground ball on 62.7 percent of batted balls. Keeping the ball on the ground keeps the ball in the ballpark, a valuable statistic for the reliever. In addition to keeping the ball low, Pazos adds to his fantasy value by striking out over a batter per inning.
Pedro Baez, Los Angeles Dodgers
7 Holds, 1.03 ERA, 26.1 IP, 29 K, 1.03 WHIP
The Los Angeles Dodgers are staying strong in a highly competitive West division. With good reason, Baez has a firm grasp over the eighth inning for the Dodgers. Opponents are hitting .152 against Baez this year. With a 96.9 mph fastball and 87.2 mph slider, he is averaging just over a strikeout-per-inning. Baez has swing-and-miss stuff, and though batters swing above the league average on his pitches, he generates below league average contact on those swings. The Dodgers will be consistent contenders throughout the season so a waiver wire pickup of Baez in holds leagues will be valuable.
Wandy Peralta, Cincinnati Reds
3 Holds, 2.81 ERA, 25.2 IP, 29 K, 0.97 WHIP
One poor outing should not sour the thoughts of Cincinnati Reds reliever Wandy Peralta. The lefty pitcher incorporates a 96.0 mph fastball, 85.2 mph slider and an 84.6 mph changeup. Peralta holds opponents to a .189 batting average while striking out more than a batter-per-inning. Add in the fact that 53.2 percent of batted balls against Peralta are on the ground and that is a good candidate for a waiver wire pickup.
Enny Romero, Washington Nationals
1 Save, 5 Holds, 4.50 ERA, 26.0 IP, 28 K, 1.42 WHIP
Relying on power, Enny Romero has become a stable part of the bridge in the Washington Nationals bullpen. With a 97.9 mph fastball and 90.2 mph cutter, Romero has just over a strikeout-per-inning. Opponents are hitting .260 against Romero, but if he manages to keep his pitches in the zone, he may generate more swings and misses as opponents swing above league average at his pitches with below league average contact. He generates a lot of swinging strikes but a 3.5 BB/9 needs to be reduced for his value to become very consistent. On a highly successful team, Enny Romero may be a valuable waiver wire pickup for holds and the occasional save.
Jake McGee, Colorado Rockies
1 Save, 5 Holds, 1.52 ERA, 23.2 IP, 30 K, 0.85 WHIP
Armed with a powerful fastball, Jake McGee is one of many solid, veteran relievers in the Colorado Rockies bullpen. Relying on his 94.6 mph fastball 95.2 percent of the time, McGee averages more than a strikeout per inning. Opponents are hitting .172 against McGee, who has found success despite calling hitter-friendly Coors Field home. The one-pitch pitcher has found success with it this year, walking under two batters per nine innings and keeping the ball in the park, one home run in 23.2 innings pitched this year. The Rockies have found success and that will only serve to benefit this reliever in holds leagues.
More Waiver Wire Pickups and Adds
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