Seranthony Domínguez has had quite the successful return from Tommy John surgery, arguably being the Phillies best reliever this season to date. Dominguez is allowing some hard contact, but he’s striking out hitters at a good clip (32.1% K rate) with his slider at a 50% Whiff rate. With a new manager, I had some hope there might be consideration to make a change at closer as Corey Knebel continues to struggle, but for now it looks like the team will stick with the current hierarchy. Still, Seranthony should be in line for more hold chances as the best reliever on the roster, and we could see him double that total (8 on the year) by the All-Star break.
Notes
- Luis García has emerged as the Padres top holds option and there isn’t even much competition at this point. García has picked up right where he left off last season, albeit with a new team, and should continue to be a source of holds while not being a big factor anywhere else really.
- I miss a week and all of a sudden Eli Morgan is the Guardians top setup guy and has five holds on the season, all over the past two weeks. Morgan doesn’t throw hard but has a solid three-pitch mix to get lefties and righties out. The 35.1% K rate is bound to come back down to earth eventually with no true “out” pitch (and 28.8% CSW / 28.3% Whiff rates), but there’s still a good reliever here worth a look in most holds leagues.
- Ryne Stanek only has 4 holds on the season but he has been one of the Astros top relievers and I could see him overtaking Rafael Montero at some point for a set up role. Despite the low strikeout rate, Stanek is still missing bats at a high level (33.1% Whiff rate) and hasn’t allowed a run since April.
- Yimi Garcia has been a bit of a rollercoaster this season, but he was able to finish May on a high note which has carried over into June. Adam Cimber would be the other top setup option here and similarly to Garcia, isn’t known for getting swings and misses. I don’t exactly trust either one to hold up over the entirety of the season, but if I had to take a chance on one for now, it’d be Garcia.
- Speaking of limited strikeout upside, Dennis Santana has moved into a consistent high leverage role with the Rangers after picking up five holds over the past two weeks. Santana does a great job limiting hard contact and inducing ground balls at a near 50% rate but his 14.3% K rate leaves a lot to be desired.
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