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It is the secondary stat category to Saves for Relievers, but it most cases, the guys pulling down innings in the last few frames play just as an important part of game – if not more.
Last year, two Tampa Bay Rays were in the top 5 – with Jake McGee sitting in 5th with 26 – while Joel Peralta was the clubhouse leader for the MLB at 41.
The guys have to be at the forefront for the 2014 race as well.
Lets just see who we the MLB Reports take for Holds Leaders in 2014.
Mark Melancon had an ALL – Star campaign in 2013, putting forth 28 holds, and then registering 16 Saves when he took over for Jason Grili after injury. Since Grilli is a such a risk to be sidelined again, I am withholding the RHP from the top 5.
I just can’t take any Detroit Tigers, even though they should have Joe Nathan nailing down plenty of contests.
Oakland will potentially see Jim Johnson and Luke Gregerson see duty at both Closer and setup role.
Trevor Rosenthal was also in the top 5 for the MLB, but he will be the new Closer with STL – just as Robertson will seek the job with NYY.
Mark Melancon was on pace to take home the title in 2013, before Jason Grilli was injured, forcing him into a 9th Inning Assassin for the Pirates.
I am also not sold on any Rangers making the list either, as some may be pressed into a Starting Role, or ended vying for the Closers position.
A lot of this is speculation on some teams like Kansas City and Tampa both faring well, but it would also see SF and WSH go back to where they were in the 2012 season in terms of wins.
5. Kelvin Herrera, KC – 29
Kelvin Herrera has 20 Holds last year – and has appeared in 135 contests in the last few years. He has a better WHIP than fellow teammates Tim Collins and Aaron Crow, and for this reason alone, I have him making the top 5 of this list, considering we also placed Greg Holland as the MLB Saves Leader in our last article
4. Sean Doolittle, OAK – 30
Sean Doolittle has turned into a nasty left hander for the opposition to deal with the last few years. Whether it is Johnson or Gregerson manning the position of Closer, Ryan Cook and he should receive their fair shares of Holds each. The 26 Year Old has a WHIP just north of 1.00 (1.006) for his 116.1 IP worth of work so far in his career.
3. Santiago Casilla, SF – 31
Santiago Casilla has been awesome as a member of the Giants relief core. He features a record of 23 – 12, with an ERA of 2.21 in 220.1 IP worth of work from the club spanning from 2010 – 2013. Casilla is the primary setup man for Sergio Romo – and had 23 Holds last year.
2. Joel Peralta, TB – 33
Joel Peralta has been an appearance horse over the last 3 years for the Tampa Bay Rays. In 2013, he led the AL in both Games (80) and Holds (41). The Rays have more depth this year with Heath Bell and Juan Carlos Oviedo, so he may take a small step back, but not much.
1. Tyler Clippard, WSH – 38
Clippard led the NL in 2013 with 33 Holds. Not only that, but he has appeared in over 70+ Games in 4 straight years. The Nationals should contend for the most amount of wins in the Majors, meanwhile this guy is one of the best late inning relievers in the game right now. Clippard’s lifetime ERA is just 3.00, and his WHIP of 1.098 is also outstanding, yet his numbers are even better when he is not the Closer like in 2012.
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Tagged: 2014 Holds Leaders, aaron crow, david robertson, fantasy baseball, greg holland, heath bell, jake mcgee, jason grili, jim johnson, joel peralta, juan carlos oviedo, kelvin herrera, luke gregerson, mark melancon, oakland athletics, pittsburgh pirates, ryan cook, San Francisco, santiago casilla, sean doolittle, sergio romo, st louis cardinals, tampa bay rays, tim collins, trevor rosenthal, tyler clippard, washington nationals
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