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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.
Based on current ownership percentages, all of these pitchers are probably still available in your league.
Dale Thayer, San Diego Padres
2015 Statistics: 3 holds, 1.17 ERA, 7.2 innings, 3 strikeouts, 0.91 WHIP
Mustache of the year goes to Thayer. The 34-year-old righty is more than just an impressive fuzzy face. While Thayer does not strike out many, what he does do is get weak contact. For the pitches put in play against Thayer, 17.4% are line drives while 47.8% are ground balls. The low 90s fastball and low 80s slider are keeping Thayer effective for a team expected to contend for the division.
Alex Torres, New York Mets
2015 Statistics: 2 holds, 4.15 ERA, 4.1 innings, 5 strikeouts, 1.15 WHIP
New padding on his New York Mets hat is no problem for the lefty Alex Torres. With the unfortunate injury to lefty Jerry Blevins, the 27-year-old Torres will take on a higher leverage role with the MLB-best leading New York Mets. With a low 90s fastball and a mid 80s changeup, Torres has held left-handed batters to a .125 batting average in the early part of the season. Torres is by no means overpowering but a current ground ball rate of 55.6% will work for the Amazin's as he spends a majority of his season in the spacious Citi Field.
Jason Frasor, Kansas City Royals
2015 Statistics: 1 hold, 0.00 ERA, 5.2 innings, 5 strikeouts, 1.24 WHIP
With tempers reaching a heated level in a recent series, the Royals will be without one of their biggest arms in the bullpen. While not expected to match the production of a Kelvin Herrera, Frasor could be asked to be one of many to step up and be a stand-in member of the bridge towards the final innings of the game.
The 37-year-old veteran is familiar with fairly high leverage situations and will continue to rely on pitches he has thrown throughout his 12-year career. His fastball continues to stay in the low 90s, slider in the low 80s and splitter in the mid 80s. It has worked for him to this point and would be a valuable stand-in while Herrera serves his suspension.
Pedro Strop, Chicago Cubs
2015 Statistics: 1 hold, 0.00 ERA, 7.1 innings, 10 strikeouts, 0.55 WHIP
Reliever Strop continues to be a strong constant on a progressive Chicago Cubs team. Throwing a heavy two-seam fastball that averages mid 90s, it is clear why Strop generates a ground ball on 64.1% of batted balls. The strong ground ball rate also explains why opponents are hitting .083 against the 30-year-old Strop.
Roberto Osuna, Toronto Blue Jays
2015 Statistics: 3 holds, 0.00 ERA, 9.2 IP, 10 strikeouts, 0.83 WHIP
One of many rookies on the Blue Jays roster, Osuna is throwing fire out of the bullpen. Through the early part of the season, the 20-year-old Osuna has been lights out. Relying on a mid 90s fastball, mid 80s slider, and low 80s changeup, Osuna has not allowed a run in the seven games he has appeared in.
The 54.5% fly ball rate that Osuna has on batted balls is a bit alarming considering how frequent his power-hitting teammates go deep so seamlessly but he has made it work to this point. Opponents are hitting .156 against Osuna and he has allowed just two extra base hits. How Roberto Osuna responds to his first hiccup on a major league mound will determine how long he should be held onto in your fantasy baseball league.
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