Brett Cecil and Carlos Martinez can help you move up in holds.
By Mike Marteny
Over the last eleven days, I have given a list of players that can help you in a given category.
Today we are on to another reader request. This time the reader requested category is holds. Here you go Chris!
Since a large number of ESPN leagues do not count holds, it is hard to get an accurate availability number on these bullpen aces. So instead of providing a list of holds guys for each type of league, I will simply list the players who have the most amount of holds on the season and over the last two weeks. From there you can make the decision whether to add these guys or not.
The other reader requested category was OPS. The standard categories are here: batting average, runs, home runs, RBI, steals, wins, ERA, WHIP, strikeouts, saves.
Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Brett Cecil (27) throws a pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Pitchers with ten or more holds so far this year:
Brett Cecil, Blue Jays: Cecil has 13 holds, three saves, and a 13.50 K/9 ratio. The 3.80 ERA does leave something to be desired though.
Brad Ziegler, Diamondbacks: Ziegler has 12 holds and a solid 2.30 ERA and 1.13 WHIP.
Carlos Martinez, Cardinals: Martinez has 12 saves out of the Cardinal bullpen, but still projects as a starter long term. He is one injury away from joining the rotation.
Steve Delabar, Blue Jays: Delabar has racked up 12 holds to go with three wins. His 4.29 ERA makes him a bit of a risk though.
Kevin Siegrist, Cardinals: Siegrist went on the DL with a forearm strain last weekend, and will miss at least a couple of weeks. When healthy, he did have 12 holds and a 12.15 K/9 ratio.
J.P. Howell, Dodgers: With all of the big names in the Dodger ‘pen, Howell is leading the team with 11 holds. He is also sporting a 2.04 ERA and 10.7 K/9 ratio.
Tyler Clippard, Nationals: Clippard has 11 holds, and has not been scored upon in the month of May. His season totals of 1.54 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 11.96 K/9 make him valuable in a lot of leagues. Oh, did I mention that he also has four wins?
Adam Ottavino, Rockies: It has been Ottavino, not Rex Brothers, that has shone in the late innings as a setup man to LaTroy Hawkins. Ottavino has 11 holds, a 1.52 ERA, and a sterling 0.76 WHIP. If you are looking for the guy to own in case Hawkins keeps struggling, look no further.
Tony Watson, Pirates: Watson is the primary left-handed reliever for the Pirates, and has excelled in that role. He has 11 holds, a 1.16 ERA, 11.57 K/9 ratio and five wins. He can help out in most standard leagues as well.
Will Smith, Brewers: Smith has been dominant all season long, as shown by his microscopic 0.38 ERA. He has added 11 holds, a save, and a 12 K/9 ratio.
Joba Chamberlain, Tigers: Remember him? Well, Joba has resurfaced in Detroit with ten holds setting up Joe Nathan, and has also posted a solid 2.95 ERA and 10.55 K/9 ratio. He could be next in line if Nathan gets hurt.
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Brian Wilson (00) acknowledges the media before a game. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
Pitchers with four or more holds in the last two weeks:
Brett Cecil, Blue Jays: To make this even better, he has not given up a run in the last two weeks either.
Aaron Loup, Blue Jays: Loup has five holds in that span just like Cecil, and has also not given up a run in that span. But he has managed to keep his WHIP 0.6 lower than Cecil!
Joel Peralta, Rays: It may be only a matter of time before the Rays give up on Grant Balfour. Peralta would seem to be the favorite for saves should that happen. He has four holds and a 2.45 ERA in the last two weeks.
Brian Wilson, Dodgers: The Beard has a rough start to the season, but has come on lately with four holds and a 1.69 ERA.
Joba Chamberlain, Tigers: Joba has four holds and has not given up a run in the last two weeks.
Casey Fien, Twins: Perhaps more impressive than his four holds, 0.53 WHIP and no runs allowed over the last two weeks is the fact that he has had a chance to hold four games on that team I will always cheer for the Twins, but the are playing way over their heads right now.
Adam Ottavino, Rockies: Ottavino has four holds and a 1.29 ERA and 0.71 WHIP in the last two weeks.
Carlos Martinez, Cardinals: He has a 2.70 ERA in the last fortnight, but needs to cut down the baserunners to be a legitimate force on the mound.
Tony Watson, Pirates: Watson has two wins and four holds in the last two weeks. With Jason Grilli back, he could be useful in leagues that don’t count holds as well just for the prospect of vulture wins.
Jake Petricka, White Sox: Ronald Belisario is far from a sure thing as the interim closer for the Sox. Petricka has four holds and a save without allowing a run. He is one more bad Belisario outing away from getting a shot as the closer.
Steve Delabar, Blue Jays: The four holds and win are nice, but the 9.00 ERA and 2.25 WHIP are not.
Come back tomorrow for another requested category!