Another week down, and another top set-up man goes down with it. Joe Smith who had been in the middle of a nice little comeback season winded up on the DL with shoulder inflammation. While the injury isn't considered too serious right now, any type of shoulder problem that could potentially linger is obviously a concern. As far as potential closers in waiting on this list goes, I'd rank my top 10 options as follows; Arodys Vizcaino, Trevor Rosenthal, Tommy Kahnle, Brad Hand, Sean Doolittle, Keone Kela, Joaquin Benoit, Shane Greene, Hunter Strickland, Kyle Barraclough.
TIER 1: Good Vibrations
1. Andrew Miller (Cleveland Indians)
Are you ranking these pitchers based on their k/era ranking or actually on holds potential? Because some of these rankings are definitely not correct IMO. They should be ranked accordingly in context to having the highest potential to get holds followed by their abilities for Ks and effective ERA. You should be looking at teams that have a low blown save rate, a high save percentage, and teams with high save opps as well to help elevate the chances of the setup man to get a hold.
For instance Tommy Kahnle; while his strike out ability and low era are fantastic his potential to get a hold is extremely low. Adam Ottavino should absolutely be in the 2nd tier.
The rankings are geared towards overall fantasy potential. Holds are so volatile and basically impossible to predict, much harder to predict then K’s, ERA and WHIP. I’ll be happy getting an advantage in those 3 categories over just 1. I would take Kahnle any day over Ottavino, with him being the better pitcher in 3 out of the 4 categories RP’s are really judged on.
Holds and saves are not one in the same. What a teams closer does has no impact on the set up man before him (stat wise). Save opps (and hold opps for that matter) are more or less impossible to predict, so I’ll always take ability and potential first.
The real advantage lies in a quality RP, in predictable line for holds or multiple inning saves, with above league avg K rates and lastly qualifies as a SP. I’ve effectively used this to my advantage
Forget ERA altogether. If not, u could always hit the real estate field bc there’s nothing telling in it.
Pat Neshek is listed twice.
NVM