While holds are even tougher to predict than saves, the players we’ll highlight today include some elite setup men to target off the waiver wire for Week 2 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. Let's get to it, shall we?

Editor’s Note: RotoBaller’s fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups list is updated every single day. Our awesome writers bring you analysis on hot or emerging starting pitchers, and also all other fantasy positions. You can also download our waiver wire iPhone app for free, and easily stay updated.

Week 2 Waiver Wire Pickups for Holds

Tyler Thornburg, Milwaukee Brewers

2 Holds, 0.00 ERA, 4.0 IP, 6 K, 0.50 WHIP
The Brew Crew bullpen has already lost two valuable arms in Will Smith and Corey Knebel. On the bright side -- in negatives, a positive can shine. Reliever Tyler Thornburg on the Milwaukee Brewers has emerged as a solid candidate for holds. Thornburg has seen a mixed bag of results in his five-year career in the majors but he looks like a reliable option both for holds and above average strikeout totals. Relying on a fastball-changeup arsenal with a curveball tossed in, Thornburg has averaged about two strikeouts per inning pitched. While that strikeout total likely won't keep up, he has value now, especially while the injured relievers are out.

Brad Brach, Baltimore Orioles

1 Hold, 0.00 ERA, 5.1 IP, 7 K, 0.56 WHIP
While the Orioles' run as the sole undefeated team ended this week, their bullpen remains a strong part of the AL East-leading team. The well-known part of the Orioles bullpen, Darren O'Day and Zach Britton, are continuing to put up good numbers but reliever Brad Brach is having a great start to the 2016 season. Despite just one hold thus far, Brach has two wins to his name and more than a strikeout per inning. Primarily using a fastball and changeup, Brach is generating more fly balls than ground balls so that may raise a few red flags. While luck may be in Brach's favor, he has shown success in the past. He can be a valuable waiver wire pickup for holds and solid innings of relief.

Chasen Shreve, New York Yankees

1 Hold, 0.00 ERA, 3.1 IP, 2 K, 0.60 WHIP
The New York Yankees have produced one of the best bullpens in the early days of the 2016 season and the powerhouse trio is not even complete. Reliever Chasen Shreve is making the absence of Aroldis Chapman hurt a lot less. The lefty Shreve had a strong first half last year before the grind of the season got the best of him. Like last year, Shreve is off to a good start to the 2016 season. He looks to be the seventh inning part of the bridge for the month of May until Chapman returns and takes over his role as closer.

Nate Jones, Chicago White Sox

4 Holds, 1.93 ERA, 4.2 IP, 4 K, 0.43 WHIP
Plagued by frequent injuries, Nate Jones is a power pitcher that, when healthy, can be dominant. Through the early part of the season, Nate Jones has solidified himself as a powerful eighth inning pitcher. The White Sox have made good use of their relievers, as three of the top five ranked players in holds reside there. Jones stands out with a blazing fastball. If he can remain healthy, Jones is a must-own for any fantasy league that counts holds.

Blake Treinen, Washington Nationals

2 Holds, 2.25 ERA, 4.0 IP, 4 K, 1.00 WHIP
This power sinker pitcher is the reliable presence in the Nationals bullpen. Reliever Blake Treinen has a sinker that hits the mid-90s so ground balls are the story when he is on the mound. Through the early part of the season, Treinen has added a strikeout for each inning he has pitched so far. Treinen has a track record that support him seeing success this year. If he can increase his strikeout rate with the balls put in play coming on the ground, Treinen can move into the elite level of setup men in the league.

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