Houston Astros: Is Hector Rondon an option for a long-term closer?
By Kyle Cardoza
The closer’s downfall
Giles had potential.
When the Astros acquired the former Phillies closer, they expected him to shut down games in Houston throughout much of his career. While he enjoyed stretches of dominance, he’s been a haphazard specimen.
Giles reeled in Houston’s attention with impeccable numbers while in the National League. He posted ERAs below 2.00 while averaging more than 11 strikeouts per nine innings in back-to-back years.
When Brad Lidge’s career in Philadelphia came to a close, the team grew confident in Giles. Hence, the Astros expected him to be the next great reliever.
And he was at times. Yet, during his transition to the American League, he endured struggling stretches, some longer than others.
Since Giles joined the team in 2016, Hinch has faced frustration at times. The young late-inning reliever was inconsistent in his first season. Though he fired in the ball in the high-90s, opposing hitters weren’t fooled.
Ultimately, he forced Hinch to replace him throughout that year. That was only the beginning of a tumultuous stint, though he essentially had a bounce-back campaign last year.
But the Astros skipper didn’t even have the utmost confidence in his main closer throughout 2017. He reverted to starting pitchers in crucial late-inning situations, including Charlie Morton and Lance McCullers Jr.
It worked.
Thus, Hinch’s confidence in Giles dwindled. And he finally had enough of his volatility during the first half of this season. Despite offering him opportunities to regain his status as the team’s primary closer, Giles floundered every time.
The heat-thrower still gets save opportunities on occasion. But Rondon has stepped in, taking advantage of the opening for Houston.