X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Week 13 Waiver Wire RP Pickups for Holds

Sean Scampton analyzes five MLB relief pitchers (RP) and setup men to target for holds as fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and adds for Week 13.

Greetings Rotoballers! Your regular host Ryan Nakada is taking a week off and handpicked yours truly to give you the best names to know in relief. Apparently, my work in the Outfield and Middle Infield are getting noticed. You’re welcome Rotoballers, you’re welcome.

Holds are notoriously tough to predict, especially since scorers are particularly picky regarding what does and doesn’t earn the coveted “H”. Guys like Kelvin Herrera and Andrew Miller are known commodities and own a spot in the seventh or eighth inning in the same way that Kenley Jansen owns the ninth. What we’re looking for are guys who aren’t household names who will be in line to grab a hold and make your ratios look good in the process.

Obviously, the better teams have more hold/save chances because they win more. There is value to be found in bad teams too, though. Plus, teams with a poor starting staff will typically cede the game to the bullpen earlier, giving more guys a chance to earn an “H”. Let’s take a look at some of those guys. Rotoballers, here are your relief waiver wire adds for holds leagues.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and resources:

 

Week 13 Waiver Wire RP Pickups for Holds

 

Tony Watson, San Francisco Giants

0 Save, 16 Hold, 1.87 ERA, 33.2 IP, 40 K, 0.95 WHIP

Phew, that’s a week! San Francisco reliever Tony Watson took care of some business this week. Watson is a known commodity in the reliever nerd community, but it’s getting lost just how good he’s been in 2018. The 33-year-old is currently posting career bests in metrics like strikeouts per nine, walks per nine, home runs per nine, swinging strike rate, and FIP. He’s also not far from bests in ERA and WHIP. Watson is killing batters this season despite losing a tick off his fastball by displaying elite location and pitch mixing. Veteran savvy is alive and well, and Watson may even get save chances in Hunter Strickland’s absence. This isn’t just the best pitcher in the Giants’ bullpen, he’s one of the best fantasy relievers in all of baseball. Not a waiver add, as he's likely already owned, but go trade for him now!

 

Jake Diekman, Texas Rangers

1 Save, 8 Holds, 2.73 ERA, 26.1 IP, 34 K, 1.37 WHIP

You may not know this, but the Texas Rangers’ pitching staff is a bit volatile. No one really seems to want to keep one of the prime jobs in the rotation or the bullpen, as guys will have great stretches interrupted by nuclear disasters. Even players having good seasons are untrustworthy. Seriously, I wouldn’t trust Keone Kela to hold my groceries let alone feel comfortable with him as my closer, and he has 16 saves! There is one name who has been consistent this season, and oddly enough that’s Jake Diekman. The strikeout ability has always been there, even since his time with the Phillies. This season, the 31-year-old is walking fewer batters than last season while cutting down on the home runs. He’s still giving up to0 many fly balls, so there’s a chance for some regression here, but Diekman is doing a better job incorporating his slider, evidenced by a dramatic increase in his usage rate of his second pitch. Batters can’t sit on his fastball anymore, and Diekman looks like he’s locking down a spot as the Rangers’ top seventh/eighth inning option. Texas is still bad, but Diekman has the strikeout ability and the role to matter when he does get to pitch.

 

Amir Garrett, Cincinnati Reds

0 Saves, 11 Holds, 2.61 ERA, 38.0 IP, 44 K, 1.00 WHIP

This just in: a lot of high leverage relievers started off as unimpressive starters. I personally haven’t given up on the idea of Garrett joining the rotation once more, but it’s clear that his time coming out of the pen has been good for his development. After starting off hot in 2017, Garrett ran off a string a disastrous outings highlighted by diminished strikeout ability and terrible control. His ERA of 7.39 might be a tad uglier than he deserved, but not much more. But he has found his mojo once more and is pounding the strike zone with his fastball, slider, changeup combo. The shortened outings have allowed him to throw harder, and he’s getting three more MPH on his heater with better movement. He’s cut his walk rate in half from a year ago, generating five percent more swinging strikes, and giving up contact on less than 70% of overall swings. This is the best version we’ve ever seen of the 26-year-old, and it’s a good time to remind that Garrett is a relatively inexperienced, as this season marks just his fifth where baseball was his sole focus rather than sharing his time with basketball. If he keeps pitching this way, it’s clear he made the right choice.

 

Jose Leclerc, Texas Rangers

5 Holds, 2.88 ERA, 25.0 IP, 34 K, 1.12 WHIP

Remember when I said that the Texas rotation was bad. I wasn’t kidding. The Rangers currently have an MLB-worst 5.52 ERA and second worst 0.6 WAR, only ceding to the dreadful Reds in that regard. This will likely lead to relievers getting more opportunities earlier in games, so the sixth inning could be in play for late holds. Enter Leclerc, who has weathered some truly awful outings to maintain some very nice peripherals. He’s striking out 12.24 batters per nine en route to a sparkling 2.88 ERA and 1.12 WHIP. His devastating fastball/changeup combo is getting swinging strikes 15.1% of the time. When he’s on, he’s very hard to hit, and the Rangers love him. If the 24-year-old can reduce the implosions and limit the walks, he’ll take a spot with Kela and Diekman as a regular saves and holds contributor.

 

Jaime Schultz, Tampa Bay Rays

1 Hold, 0.00 ERA, 1 IP, 3 K, 0.00 WHIP

Ok, this one is for you planners and deep leaguers. I’ll admit that I have a massive crush on Jaime Schultz, rivaling that of my affection for fellow Ray, Johnny Field (check out the Outfield Waiver Wire column!!!). Schultz is a former 14th round pick who strikes out batters like he’s playing MLB The Show. Seriously, in 2017 he averaged 16.36 strikeouts per nine innings in 22 innings pitched at Triple A. He combines a high-90’s heater with a low-80’s changeup that literally makes hitters look goofy. Schultz made a single appearance at the end of May, walked up with men on base, and proceeded to strikeout the side on 14 pitches. No one is talking about Schultz, but you better believe that Tampa knows what it has. Schultz has the stuff and moxie to be one of the best relievers in the game, full stop. He’ll come out of nowhere to be a monster. Watch the transactions to see when Schultz returns to the big club, perhaps around September, and enjoy the spoils.

 

More Waiver Wire Pickups and Adds




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Giannis Antetokounmpo

Potential Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade may not Happen Until "August, September"
Ha-Seong Kim

Removed Early During Season Debut
ARI

Christian Fischer Retires From NHL at 28
NHL

Spencer Martin Moves to Russia
WAS

Anthony Beauvillier Re-Signs With Capitals for Two Years
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Sitting Out With Foot Issue
Isaiah Neyor

Impresses at Minicamp
Houston Rockets

Jock Landale Waived by Rockets
Bo Bichette

Back in Blue Jays Lineup
Jonas Valančiūnas

Jonas Valanciunas Considering Returning to Europe
Miles Sanders

Works With Starters During Mandatory Minicamp
Jabari Walker

Signs Two-Way Deal With Sixers
Chimere Dike

Titans Could Move Chimere Dike Inside
Keandre Lambert-Smith

KeAndre Lambert-Smith not Guaranteed Roster Spot
Anthony Bradford

Working Hard to Win Back Starting Job
Byron Young

Still Improving?
Cody Simon

Jonathan Gannon has Been Impressed With Cody Simon
SirVocea Dennis

has Impressive Offseason
Trevor Penning

Could Still Have a Role in New Orleans
Jonathan Kuminga

Warriors Decline Recent Offer for Jonathan Kuminga
Orlando Magic

Moritz Wagner, Magic Agree to One-Year Deal
Clarke Schmidt

Placed on Injured List
José Soriano

Jose Soriano Throws Gem Against Braves
Robbie Ray

Earns Ninth Win in Complete Game
T.J. Watt

Likely to Reset the Edge-Rush Market
George Springer

Blasts Two Homers, Drives in Four
James Wood

Goes Yard in Five-Hit Night
Bradley Beal

Suns Discussing Potential Buyout
Los Angeles Lakers

Jaxson Hayes Staying with the Lakers
NBA

Damian Lillard "Open" to Signing With a Team This Offseason
Max Muncy

Out at Least Six Weeks
Clarke Schmidt

Leaves Start with Forearm Tightness
Colson Montgomery

Promoted to the Major Leagues
Pittsburgh Steelers

Omar Khan, Steelers Agree to Three-Year Contract
Max Muncy

Goes on Injured List With Knee Bruise
Max Muncy

Out of Thursday's Lineup
James Wood

Joining Home Run Derby
SJ

Sharks Claim Nick Leddy Off Waivers
Max Scherzer

Cleared to Start on Saturday
SJ

Sharks Sign Dmitry Orlov to Two-Year, $13 Million Contract
CAR

Nikolaj Ehlers Joins Hurricanes on Six-Year Contract
Kodai Senga

Could be "in Play" to Return Before All-Star Break
Ha-Seong Kim

Rays Reinstate Ha-Seong Kim From Injured List
Christian Moore

Placed on Injured List With Thumb Sprain
Luis L. Ortiz

the Subject of Gambling Investigation
Jordan Lawlar

to Miss Multiple Weeks With Hamstring Injury
Yordan Alvarez

Receives Encouraging News on his Hand
Chau Smith-Wade

Having Stellar Offseason
Ace Bailey

Inks Rookie Contract With Jazz
Divine Deablo

Could be the Quarterback of the Defense
Isaiah Rodgers

a Likely Starter for the Vikings
Jacob Monk

Sees Plenty of Work With Starters
Avonte Maddox

has Impressed Dan Campbell
Boston Celtics

Josh Minott Inks Deal With Celtics
Chicago Bears

Ruben Hyppolite Shows Notable Improvement
Sandro Mamukelashvili

Heading to Toronto
Daron Payne

Commanders Coaches Impressed With Daron Payne
Danny Gray

Makes Impression During Offseason Workouts
Jared McCain

Not on 76ers Summer League Roster
Dane Belton

Should Have a Role in 2025
Kaiir Elam

Flashes During Offseason Workouts
Dylan Harper

Unavailable for California Classic
COL

Brent Burns Inks One-Year Deal with Avalanche
STL

Blues Land Pius Suter on Two-Year Deal
Morgan Frost

Agrees to Two-Year Extension with Flames
WPG

Gustav Nyquist Moves to Winnipeg
Cody Glass

Devils Re-Sign Cody Glass to Two-Year Deal
PIT

Anthony Mantha Joins Penguins
Cleveland Cavaliers

Larry Nance Jr. Headed Back to Cavaliers
Eric Gordon

Remaining with 76ers
Los Angeles Lakers

Deandre Ayton Joining Lakers
Emil Heineman

Signs Two-Year Deal with Islanders
Simon Holmstrom

Re-Signs with Islanders for Two Years
UTA

Nate Schmidt Signs Three-Year Deal with Mammoth
UTA

Brandon Tanev Moves to Utah on Three-Year Contract
NJ

Evgenii Dadonov Joins Devils on One-Year Deal
BUF

Sabres Snap Up Alex Lyon on Two-Year Contract
Dallas Mavericks

Dante Exum Returning to Dallas
Ryan McLeod

Inks Four-Year Extension with Sabres
NAS

Predators Bring in Nick Perbix on Two-Year Deal
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Has Surgery to Repair a Turf Toe Injury
LA

Cody Ceci Moves to Los Angeles
Charlotte Hornets

Spencer Dinwiddie Lands With Charlotte
Bud Cauley

in Great Form Ahead of John Deere Classic
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

a Player to Avoid at John Deere Classic
Jake Knapp

Riding Momentum Ahead of John Deere Classic
PGA

Sungjae Im Looking for Consistency at John Deere Classic
Ryan Gerard

a Solid Option at John Deere Classic
Rickie Fowler

Looking to Rebound at John Deere Classic
Cameron Champ

a Volatile Option at John Deere Classic
Jackson Suber

Staying Below 70 is Key to Success for Jackson Suber
Kevin Roy

Playing Better Heading into John Deere Classic
Justin Lower

Hoping for Something Positive in Illinois
Ben Kohles

a Long Shot at John Deere Classic
Stephan Jaeger

Attempts to Stop Roller-Coaster Ride
Beau Hossler

Needs a Challenge in Illinois
Harry Higgs

Has Potential at John Deere Classic
Nick Dunlap

Keeps Plugging Through Tough 2025 Season
Milwaukee Bucks

Taurean Prince Staying in Milwaukee
Kevin Yu

a Near Must-Play at TPC Deere Run
PGA

J.T. Poston Returns to John Deere Classic Looking for Another High Finish
Thriston Lawrence

a Decent Fit For John Deere Classic
Tom Kim

Not Finding Much to be Happy About Ahead of John Deere Classic
Si Woo Kim

is a Prohibitive Fade at John Deere Classic
Ben Griffin

is the Appropriate Favorite at TPC Deere Run
Daniel Suarez

and Trackhouse Racing Parting Ways After 2025 Season
Ilia Topuria

Becomes The New Lightweight Champion
Charles Oliveira

Knocked Out At UFC 317
Kai Kara-France

Alexandre Pantoja Submits Kai Kara-France
Kai Kara-France

Submitted At UFC 317
Joshua Van

Extends His Win Streak
Brandon Royval

Drops Decision
Renato Moicano

Loses Back-To-Back Fights
Beneil Dariush

Gets Back In The Win Column
Felipe Lima

Suffers His First UFC Loss
Payton Talbott

Bounces Back
Alex Bowman

Competitive Run Ends With Third-Place Finish at Atlanta
Erik Jones

Secures A Top-Five Finish After Adversity In Atlanta
Tyler Reddick

Collects A New Career-Best Finish At Atlanta
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF