If you happen to play in an enlightened fantasy baseball league you may already be incorporating holds. These relievers all get a big bump if so. If you’re still using saves alone like a neanderthal these guys are still worth having on your radar for their given boosts. The parade of arm soreness has begun in earnest. Consider these names in a pinch if/when you lose a starter.
Closers In Waiting
The next men up for saves. One break just needs to go their way.
- Jeurys Familia
- Trevor May
- Keone Kela
- Craig Stammen
- Joe Jimenez
- Fernando Rodney
- Jesse Chavez
- Ryan Tepera
- Mark Melancon
K It Up
Get a category enhancer from these high K/9 strikeout artists.
- Dellin Betances
- Richard Rodriguez
- Jose Castillo ***Shut down with forearm tightness***
- Kyle Barraclough / Trevor Rosenthal
- Carl Edwards, Jr.
- Joe Kelly
- Diego Castillo
- Ty Buttrey
- Chaz Roe
- Tayron Guerrero
Ratio Darlings
These guys may not earn saves, but they can help smooth your ratios.
- Ryan Pressly
- Adam Ottavino
- Nate Jones
- Scott Oberg
- Andrew Miller
- Ryan Brasier
- Taylor Rogers
- Steve Cishek
- Seung-Hwan Oh
- Tony Watson
Long Men
Hard up for starters? An effective long man can bridge a gap until you find someone.
The Joker
- Josh Hader – You want someone who checks all of the boxes above? Hader’s your man.
good stuff. I like how you made specific categories
Thanks..I thought it would be helpful.
Nice work! I’ve noticed more and more leagues adding holds as a stat, or at least holds+saves… Would you be willing to give us some rankings, say top ten of the names above based on holds+saves?
Holds are less predictable since the role tends to be less defined. I like targeting guys that can contribute Ks or ratios even when they don’t earn holds. The shortlist is Hader, Betances, Pressly, Familia, Ottavino, Jones, and Kela.
Awesome. Thanks man.
Good stuff here. Agree with your assessments. Bullpens can be very tricky to negotiate but I think you’re right on the money
Thanks.
Do you see Trevor May still outside looking in at blake parker? What are the odds he starts the years as the sole closer?
There’s a bunch of guys with a shot to close for them. The horse I’m backing is greed. May is under team control and will cost more at the arb table if he earns saves. They go to him if the other guys falter, but probably not first.