Astros closer Luke Gregerson has struggled a bit this season. If you are looking to add the next man in line, look no further than Will Harris.
After an amazing season last year, The Houston Astros currently sit in last place in the American League West at 17-26. While the offense has the power, but not the contact, the bullpen is what is bringing this team down. Their closer, Luke Gregerson, has a 3.86 ERA and 1.02 WHIP with nine saves. One member of the bullpen, however, is not struggling. If you are looking for help in your ratio stats, pick up Will Harris.
The Astros traded for Philadelphia Phillies closer Ken Giles in the offseason. The team also signed former Oakland A’s relief pitcher to a three-year deal in 2014. This created questions around who the closer would be on Opening Day. On April 5, that question was answered. Gregerson got the first opportunity.
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He finished the month of April with four saves, a 2.00 ERA and 0.77 WHIP. May, however, has been an uphill battle. He has five saves in eight chances with a 5.59 ERA and 1.24 WHIP. With the three blown saves, many thought that Giles would be getting the next save chance. That is not the case.
Giles isn’t pitching that well, either. In 20 games, he has a 6.61 ERA, 1.65 WHIP and 21 strikeouts. While his 11.57 K/9 is respectable, his 3.86 BB/9 is a career high. He has given up four home runs so far, tied for most among Astros relievers. This is an effect of a ridiculous 2.20 HR/9 and 22.2 HR/FB rates.
All of this leads to Will Harris being the next man up. He is listed as the backup to Gregerson on ESPN’s Closer Chart. In 19 appearances, he has a 0.46 ERA, 0.66 WHIP and 20 strikeouts. 0.46 ERA! In a time when seven of the top 10 teams in home runs are in the American League (not including the Astros), his numbers are amazing.
Harris has been around for a while, drafted by the Colorado Rockies in 2006. This is obviously the best season of his career. Who knows if he can keep this up, but I would jump on the wagon while there is still room. The 31-year old is not much of a strikeout pitcher, just over a strikeout per nine innings, but he limits the damage.
Will Harris has a 5.9 line drive, 21.6 fly ball and 72.5 ground ball rates. The high ground ball rate help plays into his low opposing batting average and BABIP, .153 and .212 respectively. If a runner does get on base, he is very good at getting out of a jam which is evident by his 92.3 strand rate.
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Will Harris is owned in just 6.2 percent of ESPN leagues. In a year where good closers, and relief pitchers, are hard to find outside of the top-tier, Harris is someone who needs to be added in all leagues. He will clearly help your ratio stats and, if the Astros pull the plug on Gregerson, will be next in line for saves.