While holds are even tougher to predict than saves, the players we’ll highlight today include some elite setup men that have proven to be closer candidates to target off the waiver wire for Week 22 of the fantasy baseball season.
The more likely a team is to win, the more likely a pitcher will be eligible to earn the holds that could be the difference between winning or losing in your fantasy league. Bear in mind, an effective relief pitcher highlighted today could find himself in a closer's role if the everyday closer is unavailable or recently ineffective.
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Week 22 Bullpen Targets
J.C. Ramirez, Los Angeles Angels
0 Saves, 8 Holds, 3.34 ERA, 32.1 IP, 23 K, 1.18 WHIP
With Fernando Salas dealt away, another closer candidate gets his audition for the Los Angeles Angels. J.C. Ramirez appears to be that candidate. Ramirez utilizes a 96.2 MPH fastball and a 87.1 MPH slider. Opponents are hitting .257 against Ramirez this year. While his strikeout numbers are not appealing, he generates 54.2% ground balls. Ramirez is not the only candidate for the closing job. If Ramirez falters, look to swap him for Deolis Guerra, as so will the Angels.
Tony Cingrani, Cincinnati Reds
16 Saves, 8 Holds, 3.48 ERA, 54.1 IP, 41 K, 1.33 WHIP
The Cincinnati Reds have a solid closer in Tony Cingrani. He has not blown a save since June and holds opponents to a .214 batting average. Despite sporting a 94.1 MPH fastball and a 80.7 MPH slider, Cingrani does not strikeout a batter per inning. Cingrani is the closer on a rebuilding Reds team. He pitches in a hitter-friendly ballpark so his reliability is not great, though that is common with all the members of the Reds bullpen. Cingrani is a viable option for a waiver wire pickup if you need a closer.
Adam Ottavino, Colorado Rockies
2 Saves, 4 Holds, 2.75 ERA, 19.2 IP, 21 K, 1.02 WHIP
Despite surrendering the big blow in the most recent Rockies meltdown, Adam Ottavino is having a good season and earned the save opportunities he has. Opponents are hitting .197 against him and his 93.7 MPH two-seam fastball as well as his 81.4 MPH slider. With the strong two-seam fastball, Ottavino generates 62.0% ground balls, a very positive statistic in the hitter-friendly Coors Field. The 30-year-old Ottavino likely does not have a long-term standing as the Rockies closer but he looks on track to finish the year as the Rockies closer and a viable closer off the waiver wire.
Brandon Maurer, San Diego Padres
6 Saves, 13 Holds, 4.88 ERA, 59.0 IP, 62 K, 1.34 WHIP
Brandon Maurer is a reasonable closer on an unlikely-to-win San Diego Padres team. Maurer brings a 95.3 MPH fastball and 85.1 MPH slider to the table. Opponents hit .241 against Maurer with 40.9% of batted balls are in the air. Maurer may not see a lot of save opportunities because he finds himself the closer on the Padres but can strikeout about a batter per inning and calls the pitcher-friendly Petco Park his home. He is not a high priority pickup but he is an option if your arm is twisted.
Randall Delgado, Arizona Diamondbacks
0 Saves, 5 Holds, 4.29 ERA, 65.0 IP, 59 K, 1.49 WHIP
The Arizona Diamondbacks are still searching for a viable closer. Randall Delgado is a possibility for the ninth inning. The fastball, slider, changeup reliever has opponents hitting .265 though. With Daniel Hudson struggling, Delgado is the best option for closing out games in Arizona. He is not striking out batters at an outstanding clip but his veteran experience could serve him well.
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