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.
Marc Rzepczynski, Cleveland Indians
12 holds, 4.08 ERA, 17.2 innings, 23 strikeouts, 1.53 WHIP
The classic example of left-handed specialist, Marc Rzepczynski, affectionately referred to as “Scrabble” for those not looking to triple check their spelling, is nearly all-in for left-handed batters. The 29-year-old Rzepczynski has appeared in 40 games despite just pitching in 17.2 innings. There is a slight difference in the splits, .234 vs. left-handed batters and .286 vs. right-handed batters, but the more eye-popping numbers are in the results of batted balls. The 68.9 percent ground ball rate is exceptional and he can look at his sinker for that. The more eye-catching rate is on the fly balls he allows at a minuscule 8.9 percent of the time. With batted balls staying low thanks to the bowling ball-like sinker, Rzepczynski is effective against the one or two batters he gets in many games over the course of the second half of the season.
Franklin Morales, Kansas City Royals
4 holds, 2.52 ERA, 35.2 innings, 21 strikeouts, 0.98 WHIP
Unlike Rzepczynski, reliever Franklin Morales is not a left-handed specialist. The 29-year-old Morales has kept opponents to a .217 batting average. The splits between left-handed (.222) and right-handed (.212) is not dramatic enough to classify him as a specialist. Also unlike Rzepczynski, Morales is more spread across the board regarding batted balls. At 52.8 percent, Morales is generating ground balls at a good pace. There is just a four mile per hour difference between his two pitches, the fastball and the slider. Regardless of these factors that should make it easier for opponents; Morales is a quality reliever on a highly competitive Kansas City Royals team.
Chasen Shreve, New York Yankees
6 holds, 2.02 ERA, 35.2 innings, 37 strikeouts, 0.98 WHIP
The New York Yankees are atop the tight American League East. Left-handed reliever Chasen Shreve has been making a welcome surprise impact throughout the first half of the season. The 25-year-old Shreve is not like the other two left-handed relief pitchers. Shreve has a reverse split with left-handed batters hitting .239 and right-handed batters have a .143 batting average. After relying on two pitches during his tenure with the Braves; Shreve added the split-fingered fastball to his repertoire and it has helped him with right-handed batters this year. The slight red flag in his season is the 45.3 percent fly ball rate, especially in the hitter-friendly Yankee Stadium. If he can increase his 39.5 percent ground ball rate, he will find more success in an already strong Yankees bullpen.
Andrew Chafin, Arizona Dbacks
5 holds, 3.02 ERA, 47.2 innings, 32 strikeouts, 1.13 WHIP
Andrew Chafin is not the go-to guy in the last three innings for the Arizona Diamondbacks but he is fully capable of providing multiple innings of relief. Indicated by his 47.2 innings in 34 games, Chafin has provided some holds, entering the game with the lead and providing more than one inning of work. He keeps opponents to a .230 batting average with left-handed batters hitting to a .206 batting average. The fastball-slider pitcher is keeping opponents from getting the ball airborne, with a 57.6 percent ground ball rate. Chafin could be a victim of his own durability. His ability to go in excess of one inning keeps him out of the later innings but he is effective and can be used in games with the lead.
Josh Fields, Houston Astros
3 holds, 2.48 ERA, 29.0 innings, 39 strikeouts, 1.03 WHIP
The Houston Astros have stumbled of late on their way to the All-Star break so they will need to find what brought them success to start the second half of the season strong to stay in the race in the West. Relief pitcher Josh Fields had a strong first half of the season and will look to be a valuable member of the Astros bullpen come the second half. Holding opponents to a .170 batting average, the 29-year-old Fields has found success in being a fly ball pitcher in the very hitter-friendly Minute Maid Park. Opponents hit 51.6 percent in the air but the 9.7 percent line drive rate shows he is not giving solid contact. Relying on a fastball and curveball primarily, Fields is succeeding as a part of a good Astros bullpen that looks to contend this year, shocking.
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