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Happy end of the baseball 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 in Week 27.
One-inning middle relievers are the constant sources for holds and specialists can manage to secure a hold even with one out. However, while specialists can get many holds, their fantasy value is limited to how effective they are in their specific role. Long relievers are not a strong source of holds, they are often used in emergency or mop-up roles; reducing their likelihood to enter a game with the lead. The strongest setup relievers can even be eligible for saves on occasion.
Bottom line: 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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Relief Pitcher Waiver Wire - Week 27 Pickups
Pedro Baez, Los Angeles Dodgers
7 Holds, 2.95 ERA, 55.0 IP, 60 K, 1.22 WHIP
The Los Angeles Dodgers are looking for reliable bridges to closer Kenley Jansen and a solid month by Pedro Baez puts him in the conversation. In nine September appearances, Baez pitches to a 1.04 ERA. He is striking batters out at just over a batter per inning. Baez has touched the eighth inning on occasion but frequently is used in the seventh or earlier. He may have pitched well enough to justify a spot on the postseason roster but these crucial last games of the season could decide this.
Seunghwan Oh, Colorado Rockies
3 Saves, 20 Holds, 2.69 ERA, 67.0 IP, 77 K, 1.02 WHIP
The Colorado Rockies are on the best timed hot streaks and Seunghwan Oh is a contributor in their bullpen. Using a 91.6 mph fastball and 84.0 mph slider, the veteran Oh is striking out more than a batter per inning. Once Oh joined the Rockies, he was pushed right into seventh and eighth inning appearances. The Rockies will need a strong stable series of appearances to wrap up this season if they want to play in the postseason.
Lou Trivino, Oakland Athletics
4 Saves, 23 Holds, 3.00 ERA, 72.0 IP, 80 K, 1.17 WHIP
The Oakland Athletics field one of the best, deep bullpens and Lou Trivino is having a great rookie campaign. Trivino has been struggling of late but opponents are still hitting just .205 against him. He strikes out more than a batter per inning with a powerful 97.6 mph fastball and 92.4 mph cutter. He has rare bouts of wildness so he will not hurt you with excessive baserunners. He is more than likely a part of the A's postseason roster but his role will be determined by how he finishes the season.
Justin Wilson, Chicago Cubs
16 Holds, 3.13 ERA, 54.2 IP, 69 K, 1.39 WHIP
The Chicago Cubs are still fighting for their division and the unfortunate timing of injuries to the bullpen could be an opportunity for Justin Wilson to showcase what he has been capable of in the past. Relying on a 94.7 mph fastball and 91.1 mph cutter, Wilson is striking out well over a batter per inning. Opponents are hitting .215 against Wilson and he frequently finds himself pitching in the seventh or eighth inning. The bullpen could see Pedro Strop return before season's end but Justin Wilson is a safe veteran presence that can be relied on.
Corbin Burnes, Milwaukee Brewers
1 Save, 3 Holds, 2.50 ERA, 36.0 IP, 33 K, 1.00 WHIP
The Milwaukee Brewers are already postseason bound but reliever Corbin Burnes needs to continue vying for his spot on the roster. The 23-year-old rookie is having a solid debut year. Generating a ground ball on 47.9 percent of batted balls, opponents are hitting .203 against Burnes. With a 95.2 mph fastball and 86.7 mph slider, Burnes is not striking out a batter per inning but his above league average swing rate matches well with his below league average contact rate. The Brewers are going into the postseason with one of the best bullpens and Burnes appears to be a part of it.
