Colin Holderman Embracing Setup Role for Pirates
p/c: AP
Since taking over as Pittsburgh Pirates GM, Ben Cherington has faced criticism, in regards to not putting together a stronger bullpen. The result of that has been one of the main reasons why the Pirates have finished at the century mark in losses each of the last two seasons.
Cherington was able to acquire bullpen depth around last year’s trade deadline - dealing Daniel Vogelbach to the New York Mets, for hard-throwing righty Colin Holderman.
A month before the trade, Holderman had been dealing with a right shoulder impingement. The issue clearly carried over in Pittsburgh, as he posted a 6.75 ERA, in nine relief outings.
Holderman entered Spring Training 2023 fully healthy, and was looking to show that he belongs, as part of the Pirates’ bullpen.
When Pittsburgh signed veteran lefty Jarlín García last offseason, the plan seemingly was to use him in a setup role to David Bednar. However, García suffered a nerve issue in his bicep in early March, and there’s been no timetable for his return.
Pirates manager Derek Shelton decided to go with Holderman, as his eighth inning guy to Bednar.
Through 11 appearances, Holderman is holding up his end of the bargain.
1.64 ERA
2.14 FIP
3.15 xFIP
2.5 BB/9
9.0 K/9
57.6% GB rate
0.4 fWAR
The first few weeks have been encouraging for Holderman, as he’s gotten a nice, mixture of strikeouts and groundouts, while not hurting himself, with the walks.
Holderman’s sinker certainly has plenty of gas, which is averaging 97.7 mph, and he throws it more than half the time at 54.5%. Rather than a traditional slider, Holderman is now relying on a sweeper that he uses 30.9% of the time. So far, the sweeper has been his most effective offering, as the opposition is hitting just .200 off the pitch, and is producing a 37.9% whiff rate. Also, Holderman is adding a cutter that he’s throwing at 14.6%.
Of course, you can’t spell Holderman without hold, and he’s been doing just that in the setup role, as his eight holds are currently tied for the most in baseball.
What appeared to be a question mark heading into the regular season has suddenly become a solution, as Holderman seems to be fully embracing his new role, while potentially creating a formidable, tandem at the back end of the bullpen, alongside David Bednar.