When the Cleveland Guardians signed Colin Holderman in the offseason, they did it with the intention of having him contribute in a multi-inning role. Some of his best years in Pittsburgh, however, came in a more traditional role.
The Guardians optioned him to Triple-A Columbus after he allowed three runs (two earned) in three innings, spread over a couple of appearances. He managed to work his way back in late April, and hasn’t looked back ever since.
When he returned to the majors, he was still being used as a multi-inning weapon and did so for a few outings, but the team has now shifted him to a high-leverage role, usually pitching an inning or so per appearance. The role change has helped him unleash the full extent of his potential.
“When Colin Holderman was recalled from Triple-A Columbus on April 26, he thought he’d be used as the long man in the bullpen. He opened the season with the Guardians but was optioned to Triple-A on March 30 to get stretched out. But roles change. Holderman, since he’s returned, has exchanged the long role for more leverage situations. He’s gone 4-1 with a 1.23 ERA in 19 appearances since rejoining the Guards,” team insider Paul Hoynes wrote.
If you look at Holderman’s full season numbers, you wouldn’t know he had a rocky start. He boasts an elite 1.80 ERA in 25 innings in his first season in Cleveland, going from offseason lotto ticket to high-leverage bullpen star in a matter of weeks.
Holderman has struck out 28 and walked just eight hitters, and his Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) is an elite 2.34. With Erik Sabrowski injured and Hunter Gaddis still battling to return to his best form after a spring training injury, Holderman has been a godsend for manager Stephen Vogt as he tries to navigate the late innings and give the ball to closer Cade Smith with a lead.
No, Holderman is no longer being used to get five, six, or seven outs in an outing. He is being deployed as a traditional setup man, often when the team has a lead or wants to keep the game close.
The results, as you can see, have been amazing.
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