Where Does Hector Neris Fit in the 2022 Astros Bullpen

The Houston Astros are trying to win a second World Series ring, and before the lockout, the front office did a great job in that effort by fortifying its bullpen. Obviously, re-signing Justin Verlander was the headline, but the signing of Hector Neris was a subtle slam dunk.

Yes, I would have loved to have kept Kendall Graveman, but not at the price tag that Chicago White Sox gave him. And yes, Neris may not be as good as Graveman and is nowhere in the same realm of a Josh Hader or a Liam Hendriks.

But anytime you can sign a guy with 400 or more career innings and 500 or more strikeouts with a career 1.17 WHIP, I would classify that as a success.

What does Hector Neris bring to the table for the 2022 Astros?

Neris spent eight seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies and proved to be one of the top relievers in the National League East.

The right-handed flamethrower from the Dominican Republic posted a 3.63 ERA last year and has 84 saves to go along with a 11.5 strikeout per nine innings and a 31 percent strikeout rate in his career, which was in the 92nd percentile in Major League Baseball.