Houston Astros: Impact of the Ryan Pressly Extension

Why is Pressly’s extension important?

Let’s first not dismiss just how great Pressly has been for Houston. Since coming over in 2018 via trade, the Dallas native has posted a 2.45 ERA with a 0.98 whip and a 12-strikeout per nine inning rate over his 170 innings. He’s been named an All-Star two times and has been the team’s primary closer for each of their recent deep postseason runs.

Pressly is also still an advanced stats darling. He ranks among the top 97th percentile in spin rates on his fastball. He still ranks in the 95th percentile in K%. He is in the fifth percentile in walk rates.

His slider’s arguably the best in all of baseball, generating a .161 opponent batting average and a 36% Put Away rate. His slider and curveball combo, which generates a nifty + 40% whiff rate, is among the best pitch combos by any major-league hurler.

Pressly has proved he’s in same class as Liam Hendriks, Josh Hader and Aroldis Chapman, while he gets whiffs, he gets out and he’s dependable in the clutch. Guys like this just don’t come around very often.

What’s the impact on the Astros?

Pressly was set to be a free agent at the end of this year, and if a deal hadn’t been done by Houston, he would have been tough to re-sign. Considering the recent deals closers like Chapman and Hendriks got, Pressly could have easily got upwards to $16-$20 million a year deal on the open market.

Signing Presley to a $15 million average annual value contract ensures that the Astros keep an elite-level closer at a reasonable market rate, which may very well look like a steal two years from now.

Presley is 33-years-old and hasn’t shown any significant decline in spin rates or velocity. This contract ensures that the Astros have an elite level closer throughout his projected prime of his career.

This move also helps solidify the bullpen beyond 2022. Houston already has Cristian Javier and Phil Maton under club control, and Hector Neris is signed through the end of 2023. However, none of those guys have pitched in a closer role or produced at a consistent All-Star level.

With Pedro Baez flaming out and some other prospects struggling to progress, there could have been some serious uncertainty with the bullpen going forward. Now with the All-Star Pressly locked down,  the Astros bullpen will remain deep going beyond this 2022 season.

And with the likelihood that Michael Brantley, Justin Verlander and Yuli Gurriel might be in their final season in Houston, having an elite closer in you bullpen signed long-term is essential. Well done, James Click.

Now, go extend Kyle Tucker and Yordan Alvarez.