Houston Astros: Hector Rondon is earning the closer role

Yesterday, Houston Astros reliever, Hector Rondon, picked up his fourth save. With his performance this season, he is more than earning the closer role. Let’s dive in.

When the Houston Astros signed Hector Rondon from the Cubs, I’ll admit I was skeptical. He was coming off of the worst year of his career. Subsequently, it was also his first year not closing since his rookie season in 2013.

In 2017, Rondon rocked a 4.24 ERA, a 1.22 WHIP, and an abysmal 3.45 strikeout-to-walk ratio across 57.1 innings. It wasn’t just a season of bad luck either, his FIP was slightly lower than his ERA at 4.14. Which is not typical. It means his fielding actually hurt him but, still it was pretty high.

Still, the Houston Astros deemed him fit for $8.5 million over two years. Very meager with the potential to pay off big time. The hope was he would recapture the form he had as closer that saw him put together a 2.44 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 77 saves, and a 9.3 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 184.1 innings. However, as spring training rolled around, Rondon looked like his 2017 self not his closer self.

But, as the regular season rolled around Rondon and the Houston Astros pitching staff had recaptured that 2014-2016 form. So far, he has a 1.44 ERA, 1.04 WHIP matching with an extremely solid 1.80 FIP.

What’s changed?

The Houston Astros have become known for highlighting what pitchers do well in order to get the most out of them. Justin Verlander is a phenomenal pitcher but, the Astros helped him tweak his game. The same goes for Gerrit Cole and Charlie Morton.

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So, how have the Astros helped Rondon adjust his game? For starters, or relievers (sorry for the joke), he is throwing his fastball at a lower rate than his career average and his off speed stuff at a higher rate.

Additionally, his velocity is up quite a bit from his career average across the board. His fastball is averaging 97.6, change up is 92.2, yes his change up, and lastly, his slider is sitting at 86.6.

These changes have had a tremendous impact on his performance, as previously stated. His 2018 form is rivaling the best year of his career, 2016. The Astros have rewarded his success with a chance at closing games again.

He awarded their confidence with four saves in four opportunities. Ken Giles has typically held down this spot for the Houston Astros in recent years. However, Giles has been marred by inconsistencies this year, and really his whole career.

Giles is still getting opportunities to close. As will Chris Devenski and potentially others. However, Rondon needs to see an increase in save opportunities. The four times he’s been given the nod he’s responded phenomenally well. Add that to his excellent track record as a closer for the Cubs and it seems like a no-brainer.

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So, Hinch needs to keep calling upon the righty to get finish off games. Rondon is more than capable of taking over late in games and helping the Astros lock down victories as the season progresses.

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