Houston Astros to Announce Closer Ahead of Opening Day
By Nick Fustor
So much for the closer by committee. The Houston Astros will be picking a closer later today.
Houston Astros manager A.J. Hinch will reveal the team’s closer for the season today, per Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle. The team acquired Ken Giles from the Philadelphia Phillies during the offseason, but struggled during the spring by posting a 6.75 ERA over 9 1/3 innings.
Giles proved to be one of the better young closers in the game over the past two seasons as he’s yet to finish with an ERA above two. In 2015, Giles pitched 70 innings while compiling 15 saves and a 1.80 ERA. He proved to have one of the better repertories among relievers, as he finished with a 11.19 strikeouts per nine innings.
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With his struggles in the spring, though, Luke Gregerson remains another option for the NL-West favorite Astros. Gregerson wasn’t dominant by any means last season, but proved to be a very effective ninth inning option by finishing with a 3.10 ERA and 0.95 WHIP. His strikeout rate wasn’t nearly as effective as Giles, however, as he finished with a mark of 8.70.
Gregerson did finish with 31 saves and proved his ability to close out games on a consistent basis – something Giles has yet to do. However, Giles proved his ability to dominate despite playing for a rebuilding Phillies squad, and could prove even better on a contending Astros team.
Gregerson did not appear in a Spring Training game until March 28, so it’s possible Giles wins the job out of the gate based on the fact that he’s simply thrown more to this point. But Hinch has experience with Gregerson and could choose him based on his solid first season with the team.
Ahead of their Opening day matchup with the New York Yankees, Hinch is keeping an open mind to his choice for closer, per Kaplan.
"“The most important part of the bullpen is closing out the game, and that closing situation might come in the seventh, eighth, ninth. It might be a pitch in the sixth by any number of guys.”"
With relievers Pat Neshek and Tony Sipp ready to man the setup roles, the team has enough depth to push through any struggles from Giles or Gregerson.
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With his youth and upside, Giles may represent the better option – but Gregerson is a proven option on a playoff team and that could be the deciding factor.