Sleeper of the Week

If you’re in a deep 6×6 league or other format that includes holds as a category, the top middle relievers - pitchers such as Mike Timlin, Ryan Madson or Tom Gordon - are probably long gone. In fact, most RPs who’ll give you consistent holds without hurting you in the other categories have probably been locked up since your initial draft, and you’ll have to dig a bit deeper to find the right man for your roster. If you dig deep enough, you’ll find Lance Cormier.

Cormier only recorded one hold in April, but since then, he’s been on fire. In the last month, he’s picked up six, tied for fourth-best in the majors during that span with such players as Julian Tavarez, Kyle Farnsworth and Gordon. With a 1.88 ERA, a 1.42 WHIP and a K/BB ratio of nearly 2-to-1, Cormier is enjoying a strong campaign, especially when compared with his dismal 2004 debut season (8.14 ERA, 1.92 WHIP, more walks than strikeouts).

It seems that the 24-year-old right-hander has been able to learn from those rookie mistakes, and in doing so, has turned into a valuable cog in Arizona’s bullpen. As long as the Diamondbacks keep up their winning ways, he should continue to see plenty of opportunities to rack up holds; if you need a boost in that category, pick him up before the rest of your league catches on.