What is a Hold in Baseball? Baseball holds statistics in MLB

What is a Hold in baseball?

 

HOLD is a situation that occurs when a relief pitcher enters the game while his team is in the lead. After entering the game, he keeps the lead till the next pitcher enters the game and while maintaining this lead the pitcher also takes one wicket. So, now you know the definition of a HOLD in Baseball.

Another way of hold baseball definition

A hold occurs when a relief pitcher enters the game in a save situation and maintains his team’s lead for the next relief pitcher, while recording at least one out. (baseball hold definition)

The main job of a relief pitcher is not to get the team to win but rather to hold on to the lead they already have. The relief pitchers are not closed and they know this. Their primary objective is to keep the lead their predecessors have given them. They need to do the same for the next pitcher.

Meanwhile holding onto the lead if a pitcher successfully scores an out, is called a HOLD or BLOWN SAVE in baseball.

More than one HOLDs can be received in a single game. However, on the other hand, if a pitcher received a HOLD, then they will not be eligible for a WIN or SAVE.

On the other hand, in case the pitcher left the game in a lead and the baserunner scored a base. In this kind of situation, the pitcher will receive both HOLD and LOSS.

How to get a Hold in Baseball?

Other than this, when comes What is a HOLD in Baseball refers to when one of the following two conditions are met.

1) When a relief pitcher enters the game with a lead of at least 3 runs. He holds on to that lead till the next pitcher relieves him. During his innings, the pitcher also has to out a batter or baserunner. If all of these conditions are met then it is a HOLD in baseball.

2) The second condition that can be met to have a HOLD in baseball is for a pitcher to enter and start pitching when his team has a tied score with another team. He keeps the tied score and out one of the hitters or baserunners.

Can A Pitcher Get a Hold in Baseball and a Win in the Same Game?

No! A pitcher cannot get both holds and Win in the same game. Although, more than one pitcher is eligible to get HOLDs credited in a single game.

 

What is the difference between A Save and A Hold?

Every single time whenever a pitcher either blows a save or saves the match, they are credited with a SAVE point.

On the other hand, if a pitcher keeps the lead for the team that was passed onto him, while also taking an out. They are credited with a Hold point.

On the other hand, the SAVE situation occurs when a relief pitcher gets the team to win under certain situations. The most common situation is when a pitcher takes over in the 9th inning and his team is already 3-4 points behind.

Now if after wonderful pitching, if the pitcher is able to get the team to win the match, the SAVE is credited to that relief pitcher.

 

A funny video to illustrate the situation: A hold in baseball

 

What is a Blown Save, or Blown Hold in Baseball?

A blown save is a situation when a relief pitcher doesn’t play much well and allows the opposing team to score. And, after the scoring, if the opponent team is able to get the score tied then it is called Blown Save.

The Hold is an unofficial stat for Baseball to assess a relief pitcher’s performance

What are the Rules for A Baseball Hold to occur?

When it comes to rewarding a relief pitcher with a HOLD point, there one of the following two conditions should be met.

• The first condition is the relief pitcher must enter the game when his team is in the lead with 3 points. Once he starts pitching, during his complete inning the relief pitcher should be able to take one out as well as keep the team in the lead. If the relief pitcher is able to achieve this task, then they are rewarded with a HOLD point.
• The second condition that needs to be met is if the relief pitcher enters the game at a time when both teams are tied. If the relief pitcher is able to get the team in the lead while also taking one out of either hitter or the baserunner. He will be awarded a HOLD point.

 

What is the History Behind the Baseball Hold?

It was Statisticians Mile O’Donnell and John Dewan who worked and invented the HOLD. This is invented as a quantified measure to understand if a pitcher is eligible to be closer or should be relieved from their duty as a closer.

These statistics were meant to inspire pitchers to become essential setup men. These are the important pitchers who take on the pitching at one of the most crucial times such as the eighth inning before the next closer pitcher comes in.

This is important because if the pitcher does not perform well and the team loses their lead, the closer pitcher will have so much pressure on him that the guaranteed win won’t be an option. On the other hand, if the pitcher earns a HOLD, then the closer pitcher should be able to take the team to win.

Who Has the Most Holds in MLB?

 

Who has the most HOLDs in their career:

LG	Pitcher	Team	Data	Total
AL	Matt Thornton	Seattle	5
	Matt Thornton	Chicago	146
	Matt Thornton	Boston	19
	Matt Thornton	New York	12	182
NL	Chad Qualls	Houston	75
	Chad Qualls	Arizona	25
	Chad Qualls	San Diego	22
	Chad Qualls	Philadelphia	12
	Chad Qualls	Pittsburgh	14
	Chad Qualls	Miami	15	151
ML	Arthur Rhodes	Baltimore	5
	Arthur Rhodes	Seattle	111
	Arthur Rhodes	Oakland	3
	Arthur Rhodes	Cleveland	16
	Arthur Rhodes	Philadelphia	23
	Arthur Rhodes	Florida	11
	Arthur Rhodes	Cincinnati	51
	Arthur Rhodes	Texas	7
	Arthur Rhodes	St. Louis	4	231

 

 

Who has the most HOLDs in a single season:

 

Holds Records	LG	Pitchers	Team	Data
Fewest Holds	AL	Buddy Groom	Oakland	27	1999
League Leader | Full-Screen	NL	John Johnstone	San Francisco	28	1999
Most Holds	AL	Joel Peralta	Tampa Bay	41	2013
In A Season	NL	Tony Watson	Pittsburgh	41	2015
Most Holds	AL	J.C. Romero	Minnesota	33	2002
In A Season | Lefthander	NL	Tony Watson	Pittsburgh	41	2015
Most Holds	AL	Joel Peralta	Tampa Bay	41	2013
In A Season | Righthander	NL	Tyler Clippard	Washington	40	2014
		Luke Gregerson	San Diego		2010
Most Holds	AL	Daniel Bard	Boston	32	2010
In A Season | Rookie	NL	Akinori Otsuka	San Diego	34	2004

 

 

How is A Hold Used in Fantasy Baseball League?

When it comes to a Fantasy baseball league, HOLD is similar to a red-headed stepson. Though Rodney Dangerfield used to say that “middle relievers simply just don’t get enough respect”.

As we have previously mentioned, a hold is credited when a relief pitcher takes on pitching and carries on with the lead. On the other hand, the pitcher might also help the team to win against opponents.

Let’s understand  What is a HOLD in Baseball in a Fantasy baseball league:

1) When a relief pitcher enters the game with a lead of at least 3 runs. He holds on to that lead till the next pitcher relieves him. During his innings, the pitcher also has to out a batter or baserunner. If all of these conditions are met then it is a HOLD in baseball.

 

2) The second condition that can be met to have a HOLD in baseball is for a pitcher to enter and start pitching when his team has a tied score with another team. He keeps the tied score and out one of the hitters or baserunners.

 

Fantasy baseball leagues sometimes offer extra points for players who are credited with HOLD points. This is because relief pitchers keep the team in the lead in very crucial moments.

 

In Conclusion

Hope by now you understand what is a HOLD in baseball and SAVE. Despite being such an amazing game, baseball is sometimes hard to understand. That is why these terms HOLD, SAVE, WHIP, PO, etc are important to get clear ideas about how our players perform. So, next time you are creating your fantasy baseball team don’t forget to look for the highest SAVE and HOLD among pitchers.

 

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