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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 Seven 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 7 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 7 Waiver Wire Pickups for Holds
Nick Vincent, Seattle Mariners
1 Hold, 2.84 ERA, 19.0 IP, 16 K, 0.95 WHIP
While Edwin Diaz sorts out his mechanical issues, the Seattle Mariners' save opportunities are up for grabs. Career numbers favor the strikeout artist Tony Zych, despite his control issues. With Zych sliding into the closer role, reliever Nick Vincent may be next in line while he secures holds in the late innings of potential wins. Vincent does not overpower hitters with his 89.3 MPH fastball and 86.8 MPH cutter, but opponents are hitting to a .221 batting average and he is utilizing the pitcher-friendly Safeco Field to his advantage with a 48.1% fly ball rate. While he does not strikeout a lot of batters, he gets the job done with weak contact and could prove valuable.
Chase Whitley, Tampa Bay Rays
1 Save, 3 Holds, 1.53 ERA, 17.2 IP, 11 K, 0.79 WHIP
With Erasmo Ramirez projected for the rotation soon, Chase Whitley can see more late inning opportunities. The former starter turned reliever has primarily seen work in the sixth and seventh inning but his 1.53 ERA will justify chances with the lead. Using his 90.3 MPH fastball, 82.5 MPH changeup and 82.0 MPH slider, Whitley is allowing about league average contact to opponents this year. Unlike traditional converted relievers, Whitley does not add to his velocity, but opponents still hit .121 against the 27-year-old.
Blake Parker, Los Angeles Angels
6 Holds, 3.44 ERA, 18.1 IP, 28 K, 1.20 WHIP
One bad outing should not dissuade putting a claim on Blake Parker. The 32-year-old Parker is having a fantastic season, posting a 13.7 K/9 this year. Opponents are hitting .222 against Parker and 55.8% of balls put in play are kept on the ground. Relying primarily on a 94.0 MPH fastball with a 83.1 MPH split-fingered fastball and a 80.0 MPH curveball; Parker gets a lot of swings, but not a lot of contact. Amidst a patchwork bullpen, Parker is a standout reliever that is worth picking up for holds and strikeouts.
Archie Bradley, Arizona Diamondbacks
5 Holds, 1.37 ERA, 19.2 IP, 27 K, 0.86 WHIP
Arizona Diamondbacks starter-turned-reliever Archie Bradley has embraced the role full force. Added velocity has put his 96.2 MPH fastball and 82.4 MPH curveball to another level for Bradley. Striking out over a batter per inning, Bradley exhibits swing-and-miss stuff. In addition to striking out more batters, Bradley is also walking half the batters he did as a starter. Opponents are hitting .176 against Bradley and his history as a starting pitcher has allowed him to make multi-inning appearances this year. Recently, he has made shorter appearances, which will encourage more opportunity for holds over the course of the season.
Adam Warren, New York Yankees
2 Holds, 1.19 ERA, 22.2 IP, 21 K, 0.75 WHIP
With New York Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman sidelined, reliever Adam Warren could see late inning opportunities as a part of the bridge to Dellin Betances. Using a starter's repertoire, 92.9 MPH fastball, 86.2 MPH slider and 85.5 MPH changeup, Warren is holding opponents to a .118 batting average. Warren generates 49.1% ground balls with contact out of the strike zone. Warren is capable of pitching multiple innings, but could see that cut down to one inning as he takes on a different role with Chapman down.
