RADIO
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.
Jared Hughes, Pittsburgh Pirates
12 holds, 2.33 ERA, 38.2 innings, 27 strikeouts, 1.16 WHIP
In nearly any division but the National League Central, the Pittsburgh Pirates could sit in first place, easily. Unfortunately for them, the Pirates settle for being second, for now. One of the effective arms in the bullpen is right-hander, Jared Hughes. The 30-year-old Hughes is primarily in the last third of the game and his strength is in keeping the ball down. At a 61.7 percent ground ball rate, Jared Hughes is one of the better sinkerball relief pitchers in the league. At 78.7 percent of the time, Hughes turns to his sinker to no surprise. Opponents have a .264 batting average but that is expected with a contact pitcher. The Pirates have found a hot streak to go into the All-Star break with and they have made the Central division a tight race between two of the best in the game.
Bobby Parnell, New York Mets
2 holds, 1.13 ERA, 8.0 innings, 6 strikeouts, 1.13 WHIP
Once an effective closer, relief pitcher Bobby Parnell is taking over a setup role with the New York Mets as they look to compete in the National League East. Returning from Tommy John surgery, the 30-year-old Parnell is re-establishing himself as a strong component of the Mets bullpen. He has opponents hitting to a .269 batting average but a particular red flag in his numbers in the small sample size he has since making his season debut is the speed on his pitches. Historically, pitchers returning from Tommy John surgery see an increase in their velocity but Parnell has seen a decrease. His fastball has seen a 2-3 mph decrease and his slider has seen a 3-4 decrease. This could be explained through hesitation to really “let loose.” When Parnell finds the comfort to see what his repaired elbow can do, watch out for the holds to come for this veteran relief pitcher.
Jake McGee, Tampa Bay Rays
10 holds, 1.56 ERA, 17.1 innings, 27 strikeouts, 0.64 WHIP
Once the labeled closer, Jake McGee, like Parnell, returned from injury and is looking to be an impact arm in the bullpen. The Tampa Rays 28-year-old left-hander is capable of being a dominant late-inning relief pitcher. Despite holding opponents to a .161 batting average with no discernible difference in the splits to show he is a specialist, McGee will not claim the closer role with All-Star Brad Boxberger doing a great job in his role. With that said, McGee is an elite setup man that will notch many holds as a late inning reliever. Not many pitchers can get by with one pitcher but McGee does it. At 94.3 percent of the time, Jake McGee turns to his fastball that averages 94.3 mph. He makes due with one pitch and why should he change when he puts up numbers like this?
James Russell, Chicago Cubs
7 holds, 1.71 ERA, 21.0 innings, 14 strikeouts, 1.29 WHIP
The left-handed specialist on the Chicago Cubs continues to have a strong career. The 29-year-old Russell has appeared in 33 games and the inning total confirms his usage against left-handed batters. Left-handed batters are hitting .255 against him compared to .281 by right-handed batters. He keeps the ball down with a two-seam fastball 55.6 percent of the time. The downward action on the two-seam explains the 51.6 percent ground ball rate. As long as he keeps the ball down and can count on his defense, expect him to get top-tier left-handed batters out en route to each of his holds.
Jake Petricka, Chicago Sox
7 holds, 3.00 ERA, 30.0 innings, 19 strikeouts, 1.40 WHIP
Primarily in the last third of the game, Jake Petricka has seen his share of saves in the past but for now he is a great setup relief pitcher on the Chicago White Sox. Despite opponents hitting nearly .300 against Petricka, he is capable of success. The 66.3 percent ground ball rate compared to his 16.3 and 17.4 percent fly ball and line drive rate, respectively, indicates he may just be missing the gloves he hoped batted balls find. Primarily a fastball-changeup pitcher; his fastball nearly reaches 94 mph and his changeup goes just about 86 mph. The ERA appears a little high but he can lower that with some successful appearances that he records holds in for the White Sox.
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