Deep Dive at Projecting Astros Bullpen Contributors (Part Two)

Ryne Stanek

Stanek had an outstanding 2021 season and the Astros are perhaps looking for him to take the next step in 2022 as Ryan Pressly’s contract expires after the season, while  Stanek becomes arbitration eligible after the season before becoming a free agent after 2023.

Of the returning bullpen pieces, Stanek is second in leverage at 1.4 and his 72 appearances include being used on consecutive days twelve times, 51 clean appearances, allowing only 3-of-19 inherited runners to score, twenty-one holds and a 3.42 ERA.

Stanek was two for two in easy save situations, but zero for two in regular save situations.

Hector Neris

Call me skeptical. Neris’ numbers with the Philadelphia Phillies are conflicting and one has to wonder what role he’s destined for in Houston.

While Neris recorded fifteen saves and a leverage index of 1.5, there were seven blown saves, including two of the easy variety, four regular and one tough. Neris also allowed 40% of inherited runners to score.

On the bright side he’s durable, having been used on consecutive days 18 times and Neris registered 52 clean appearances, eleven holds and a 3.63 ERA.  Perhaps Neris thrives in a seventh inning role in Houston, but that remains to be seen.

Ryan Pressly

Not surprisingly, Pressly registered the highest leverage index for any Astros reliever at 1.7. Despite 64 appearances, Pressly only faced ten inherited runners and allowed only two of those to score.

Converting twenty-six of twenty-eight save opportunities, Pressly was a perfect 14 for 14 in easy save situations and twelve of fourteen in regular chances.

It seems a bit unusual that as a closer Pressly faced zero tough close situations (by this definition) since the team totaled 14 (and was 0 for 14). Pressly registered 49 clean outings and pitched on consecutive days 17 times. Pressly’s in the final year of a contract that will pay him $10,000,000 in 2022 before becoming an unrestricted free agent.