Luke Gregerson

Gregerson's slider was absolutely devastating last season, and his whiff-per-swing rate of 60.4 percent on the pitch was the second-best rate in all of baseball among pitchers who threw at least 200 sliders in 2016. His strikeout rate of 29.3 percent was more than four percentage points higher than anything he had posted since 2010, and an astounding 53 of his 67 strikeouts last season (79 percent) were finished off by his slider. Gregerson's 3.28 ERA was actually the highest single-season mark of his eight-year career, as the right-hander has established himself as one of the most consistent relief pitchers in baseball. He has proven that he can handle the closer role but is just as comfortable earlier in the bucket line putting out fires. Ken Giles figures to close games for the Astros in 2017, with Gregerson among those who will notch holds in the seventh and eighth.

Signed by the Astros to a three-year deal prior to last season, Gregerson beat out Pat Neshek and Chad Qualls to win the closer role out of spring training. As one of the most dependable relievers in baseball over the past few seasons, the 31-year-old continued to perform at a high level, earning 31 saves in 36 chances for Houston. Gregerson endured a few rough patches during the season, but he never relinquished the closer role and finished the year with a 3.10 ERA, 0.95 WHIP with a 59:10 K:BB over 61 innings. However, the Astros went out and acquired Ken Giles from Philadelphia in the offseason to shore up the back of the bullpen, meaning Gregerson will be relegated to setup duty to start the 2016 campaign.

Gregerson just keeps throwing up exceptional relief seasons and 2014 was no different. He's also been very durable, appearing in 60 or more games in the last six seasons, and leading all of MLB with 435 games pitched over that period. Gregerson's strikeout rate has dropped the last three years (from 9.0 K/9 to 8.7, and again to 7.3 last season), but his walk rate has also dropped at the same time (2.6 BB/9 to 2.4, and again to 1.9 last season). Gregerson relies heavily on his nasty slider, but he actually threw it less in 2014 than he had at any other point in his career (47.1% in 2014 as compared to 68.6% in 2012). Signed to a three-year deal by the Astros in December, Gregerson appears to be the top candidate to handle the closer role in Houston to begin the season.

In each of the last two seasons, Gregerson has slotted into the setup role in front of Huston Street in San Diego, posting a combined 8.9 K/9 across 138 innings in 150 appearances. Gregerson's arm isn't about to fall off following the ample usage, but his offseason trade to Oakland places him in an accomplished bullpen, with Jim Johnson, Ryan Cook, and Sean Doolittle all present at the back end. Thus, Gregerson may not pile up as many holds, let alone saves, but he should be able to uphold his terrific strikeout rate.

In 2012, Gregerson got back to doing what he does best: missing bats at an elite level with his slider, while forcing those that do make contact to put the ball on the ground. What followed was a 2.39 ERA and another season among the top relief pitchers in the major leagues. He was able to pick up some saves, while closer Huston Street was out due to injury and will likely be called upon to do so again in 2013 as Street has never been a model of consistency when it comes to his health. No matter what role he finds himself in, expect Gregerson to excel and bring with him outstanding peripheral numbers.

Although his strikeout rate took a serious nosedive last season (5.50 K/9IP down from 10.23 in 2010), he still has a career 3.18 K/BB ratio and that includes a slight increase in his walk rate last season. Perhaps the oblique injury he suffered in late June was a contributing factor. The team's confidence in Gregerson is high, so he should easily entrench himself as a top dog in the bullpen again this year with a solid spring. He should prove to be a valuable fantasy asset even if Huston Street stays healthy as the Padres' closer.

Only two seasons into his major league career, Gregerson has established himself as one of the best setup men in the game. In 2010, he had an amazing 4.9 K/BB ratio with a 3.22 ERA, and 0.830 WHIP. A large reason for his success is a slider that batters simply can not hit. Should Heath Bell be traded, Gregerson is someone that would excel in the closer role. Toss in his fantastic skill set and he's one of a handful of middle relievers that fantasy owners should target on draft day.

What's strange about Kevin Towers' firing is that his last year in San Diego was among his most productive. Take Gregerson, picked up in exchange for Khalil Greene from the Cardinals. Gregerson pounded the strike zone with his slider and fastball, walking just 22 men unintentionally. There's little reason to believe he can't do this again, and he's first in line for saves should Heath Bell be ineffective, injured or elsewhere. Good value bet for 2010.