The boys of spring
Gregerson coming off solid year, but heat gives Giles compelling case
AL Cy Young winner Dallas Keuchel, left, greets newcomer Doug Fister in the Astros’ clubhouse Thursday, when pitchers and catchers reported for the first day of spring training in Kissimmee, Fla.
“How do you think I did last year? I don’t see any reason things should change.” Luke Gregerson “He did a fantastic job last year. He should feel that way. But as of right now, I’ve not been told.” Ken Giles
KISSIMMEE, Fla. — For a bullpen that wasn’t known for throwing hard a year ago, the heat has sure come quickly.
Luke Gregerson said Thursday he still wants to close, and the guy who might take his job — a 25-year-old walking into a veteran bullpen — said he understands why Gregerson feels that way.
A full-time closer for the first time in his career in 2015, Gregerson looked to be a lame duck this spring because of the arrival of Ken Giles, the flamethrower the Astros landed from the Phillies at a high price.
Both pitchers made their first appearance at Astros camp Thursday, the day pitchers and catchers were due. Giles is so new that he still had his Phillies equipment bag.
There’s a lot to unpack. “How do you think I did last year?” Gregerson said Thursday when asked about his role, repeating the question when a reporter didn’t hear him the first time. “I don’t see any reason things should change. Obviously, bringing the guy we brought in, he’s got a strong power arm, he’s shown that he can get guys out in the major league level, and I think he’s going to be a great addition to our bullpen no matter where we all fit in.
“We all know the situation of who we brought in. You know the guy’s got great stuff, strong arm. No matter where we fall in in the bullpen, I think we’ve just gotten better, and that’s it.”
Even as the Astros’ bullpen hit rough patches late in the year, Gregerson was steady. Including the postseason, he had 34 saves in 39 tries, with a 3.05 ERA and an even average of nine strikeouts per nine innings in 68 games.
Giles was respectful when asked if he understood Gregerson’s stance.
“Of course,” Giles said. “He did a fantastic job last year. He should feel that way. But as of right now, I’ve not been told. … I’m just here to help out the team no matter what the position is.
“He worked hard for what he did last year, and he should feel that way. Everybody, when you do something so great and you feel accomplished in something, should feel confident enough to continue doing that job.”
Power ball
Giles has 16 career saves as he enters his second full season in the big leagues. He has a huge arm, with a fastball that averages 97 mph (per Brooks-Baseball. net) and a power slider. His 1.56 ERA is the lowest in major league history for a pitcher with a minimum of 100 innings, and he is averaging 11.7 strikeouts per nine in his brief career. There’s no question he has more upside.
But closing is a prestige position, and seniority factors into clubhouse dynamics. Gregerson is 31, and so is Will Harris. Pat Neshek is 35. Tony Sipp is 32. Josh Fields is 30.
More than anything, being removed from a job where one didn’t fail would be difficult for many to swallow. Gregerson has financial incentives to remain the closer, earning additional money if he finishes a lot of games, but professional pride seems the driving force here. He is making a healthy major league salary anyway.
Gregerson said the team hasn’t talked to him about his role. He also reaffirmed, when asked directly, that he still wants to close. (His start to camp will be delayed for what’s expected to be a short amount of time because of left oblique soreness.)
“I don’t see any reason why I should lose my job because of it,” Gregerson said. “I was pretty happy with the way things went last year. I think it could have went even better — just a few outings here and there.”
Keeping it friendly
Giles said he met Gregerson briefly and that he seemed like a nice guy. Giles also is confident he can develop friendships — and that part of fitting in will be taking care of his business on the field as well as off.
“Just getting to know the guys individually,” Giles said. “First becoming their teammate and then later on becoming one of their friends. So it’s kind of a building process. I’m confident in myself I’ll get along with everybody just fine.”
He’s a nice guy off the field but has a different look on it. Speaking to how fiery he generally is when pitching, Giles said: “You don’t want to step in front of me when I’m trying to compete.”