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While the holds statistic is even harder to predict than saves for closers, the players we highlight today feature some sleeper setup men and some looking to reclaim glory they once had. The more likely an MLB team is to win, the more likely these following relief pitchers will be eligible to earn the holds that could be the difference between winning or losing in your fantasy league.
This week, a trio of veteran relievers established a role in their team’s bullpens and they are doing a very good job bridging the game to their closer. There are also a pair of relievers looking to prove their effectiveness trustworthiness in high leverage situations. If you need a waiver wire pickup for the Holds statistic, you've come to the right place.
Editor’s Note: This piece is part of a weekly series on relief pitcher targets for holds. You can follow the entire series of holds analysis and sleepers to stay ahead of your competition.
Also be sure to check out our famous fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups list, which is broken down by every position with hot/trending players, and is updated every single day.
Fernando Abad, Oakland Athletics
8 holds, 2.14 ERA, 33.2 innings, 33 strikeouts
When you have the best record in the league, you need to have effective middle relievers. Fernando Abad is one of those effective relievers. Abad has pitched in 19 games with the lead and he has managed to get eight holds.
He nearly has a strikeout for every inning pitched and a very respectable ERA. Knowing the team that he is on, there is a good chance eight holds is just the tip of the iceberg.
Kevin Jepsen, Los Angeles Angels
8 holds, 2.38 ERA, 34 innings, 41 strikeouts
The Angels’ bullpen is the biggest weakness on this Wild Card-contending team. They have tried to upgrade the backend by acquiring Jason Grilli. One of the few dependable relievers in their bullpen has been Kevin Jepsen. The righty Jepsen has pitched in 20 games this season and has racked up eight holds. He boasts an 11.1 K/9 and while he has been an effective bridge to a closer that is often undecided, the closer role is not for Jepsen. He is doing just fine as a setup man and can continue to be utilized there.
Anthony Varvaro, Atlanta Braves
9 holds, 2.18 ERA, 33.0 innings, 35 strikeouts
While relievers like David Carpenter and Luis Avilan attempt to figure out where the effective pitching they once had has gone, veteran reliever Anthony Varvaro has gradually moved up the pecking order in the Braves' pen. While his pitches are not overpowering, topping out his fastball around 93 MPH, what Varvaro does do right is generate the ground ball and hold the lead when it is given to him. He has nine holds in 14 games with the lead. He has a little over a strikeout per inning pitched and a very good ERA out of the bullpen.
Josh Edgin, New York Mets
3 holds, 1.38 ERA, 13.0 innings, 11 strikeouts
Lefty Josh Edgin has seen frequent action but in short bursts like any lefty specialist (13 innings in 22 games). So far, Edgin has been used in games that the Mets are trailing but the splits up to this point in the season show he may be effective against all batters enough that he should be used in more positive roles. The small sample size of batters show he has allowed just one hit to right-handed batters (14 plate appearances, .077) while allowing three hits to left-handed batters (31 plate appearances, .103). Watch for Edgin to get an increased role in the Mets bullpen which will make him more valuable in holds leagues.
Kevin Quackenbush, San Diego Padres
2 holds, 2.78 ERA, 22.2 innings, 21 strikeouts
When you are a middle reliever on the San Diego Padres, you need to make the most of the few opportunities you may have with the lead. Reliever Kevin Quackenbush has done just that. To this point, Quackenbush has just two holds in six games with the lead. A majority of his appearances have been when the Padres are trailing in the game but his numbers are very good so if the Padres can find the winning ways, Quakenbush will be a primary beneficiary with respect to the holds he might rack up.
