Cuban pitcher Yenier Cano, a member of the Baltimore Orioles "staff," made history on Saturday by becoming the first relief pitcher since Tony Watson (2014, 2015) to achieve 30 or more "holds" in two consecutive Major League Baseball seasons.
According to a post on Facebook by journalist Francys Romero, Cano has maintained the stability he showed in the previous season and once again reached this significant milestone in the world's most important baseball competition. Moreover, the native of Ciego de Ávila entered the record books as the first Cuban and the only Orioles player to achieve such a feat, underscoring the quality of his performance.
It's worth noting that a "hold" refers to a situation where a pitcher enters a game and prevents the opposing team from scoring additional runs, even if there are runners on base when he enters. In simpler terms, if a relief pitcher meets all the criteria for a save except for finishing the game, he is credited with a "hold."
Understanding the Importance of "Holds"
This metric is crucial for measuring the skill of relief pitchers in high-pressure situations. While closers are responsible for preserving a lead at the end of the game, middle relievers often face critical situations in the innings leading up to the close.
Relievers with a high number of "holds" demonstrate their ability to maintain control and prevent the game from slipping away from their team, according to the specialized page JuanBeisbol.
This raises the question: How is a "hold" calculated? The pitcher must meet certain criteria: enter the game in a save situation (usually when his team has a lead of three runs or less), complete his outing without allowing the opposing team to take the lead, and, of course, hand the game over to another reliever or the closer to finish.
FAQs About Holds in Baseball
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about holds in baseball to help you better understand this important metric.
What is a "hold" in baseball?
A "hold" is a statistic credited to a relief pitcher who enters the game in a save situation, maintains the lead, and hands the game over to another reliever or the closer without allowing the opposing team to take the lead.
Who keeps track of holds in Major League Baseball?
Holds are officially tracked by Major League Baseball (MLB) and are part of the statistical records kept for all players.
Why are holds important for relief pitchers?
Holds are important because they measure a relief pitcher's ability to perform under pressure and maintain a lead, which is crucial for the team's success before the closer finishes the game.