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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 9.
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 9.
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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Week 9 Waiver Wire RP Pickups for Holds
Joe Kelly, Boston Red Sox
2 Saves, 7 Holds, 1.99 ERA, 22.2 IP, 25 K, 0.84 WHIP
The Boston Red Sox are counting on Joe Kelly in a competitive East division. The 30-year-old Kelly is dominating relievers to a .145 batting average. Utilizing a 97.5 mph fastball, 87.6 mph slider and 82.9 mph curveball; Kelly is striking out over a batter per inning and 49.0 percent of batted balls are being put on the ground. He usually enters the game in the eighth inning but the former starter is capable of providing more than an inning of work so he occasionally puts out a fire in the seventh inning to add to his usual inning of work. The hard-throwing Kelly is strong across all statistics in fantasy baseball. If he is not claimed, put an immediate claim on him as he holds down a win while occasionally saving it.
Amir Garrett, Cincinnati Reds
6 Holds, 1.67 ERA, 27.0 IP, 31 K, 1.04 WHIP
With Raisel Iglesias placed on the disabled list, the Cincinnati Reds may turn to reliever Amir Garrett for saves. The lefty is holding opponents to a .194 batting average this year. Garrett is striking out more than a batter per inning with his 94.5 mph fastball and 82.4 mph slider. Of Garrett's 22 appearances, he has only had one very bad outing, in which he allowed three runs over 2.1 innings of relief. In the month of May, Garrett only allowed two runs in 11.2 innings. While he was primarily used in the seventh inning; with Iglesias injured Garrett could move up to the eighth or even ninth inning. He is a worthwhile waiver wire claim across all leagues.
Blake Parker, Los Angeles Angels
3 Saves, 1 Hold, 3.04 ERA, 23.2 IP, 27 K, 1.35 WHIP
Like the Reds, the Los Angeles Angels have lost their closer to an injury. Unlike the Reds, the Angels have many relievers capable of closing out games like Blake Parker. The 33-year-old Parker has 13 saves over his six-year career. Opponents are hitting .261 against Parker. A strong reason behind this could be the 41.5 percent fly ball rate on batted balls. Armed with a 92.5 mph fastball and 80.9 mph splitter, Parker should generate more ground balls. Since Keiynan Middleton has gone down, Parker secured two saves. Look to him for saves going forward and make a waiver wire claim on him.
Seranthony Dominguez, Philadelphia Phillies
1 Save, 5 Holds, 9.0 IP, 9 K, 0.11 WHIP
The rebuilding Philadelphia Phillies have exceeded expectations this year and rookie Seranthony Dominguez is an unexpected contributor. The 23-year-old Dominguez is striking out a batter per inning in his eight appearances this year. Armed with a 97.9 mph fastball and 86.9 mph slider, opponents are hitting a measly .036 this year. Against 29 batters, Dominguez has allowed one single. Because the Phillies entered with low expectations for the year, Dominguez has been thrust into the late third of the game, pitching primarily in the eighth inning. This young reliever has been exceptional this year and is deserving of a waiver wire claim.
Steve Cishek, Chicago Cubs
1 Save, 3 Holds, 1.71 ERA, 21.0 IP, 20 K, 1.14 WHIP
The Chicago Cubs are in a deep Central division and will need every win secured that they can get. Closer turned setup reliever Steve Cishek will be a strong part of wins. Cishek relies on a 90.4 mph fastball and 76.9 mph slider to hold opponents to a .164 batting average. The 32-year-old Cishek is generating a ground ball on 52.8 percent of batted balls. He will not strikeout at a strong rate but he is a reliable setup reliever for a strong contender. He can be a satisfactory waiver wire claim if your strikeouts are well-accounted for.
