Who Am I?
Luke Gregerson
RHP
Age: 32
Height: 6′ 3″
Weight: 205
Throws right, Bats left
(Note: I don’t trust pitchers who bat from the other side of the plate. It disrupts the natural order of things.)
How did I get here?
Originally drafted by St. Louis in the 28th round in 2006. Traded to San Diego in March 2009 as the PTBNL in the Mark Worrell-Khalil Greene trade. Traded by San Diego to Oakland for Seth Smith in 2013. Signed with Houston in December 2014 as a free agent.
Contract status: Gregerson is in the final year of a 3 year contract, earning $6.25M this season, and is eligible for free agency after the season.
Why am I here?
Gregerson’s first job is to take care of the 8th inning. His other job is to back up Giles in case of implosion.
What are my strengths?
First and foremost, consistency. For relievers, I think WHIP is a pretty good measuring stick – you really want to focus on how they’re keeping runners off the base paths (it helps filter out the situational nature of the role). Starting in 2012, Gregerson has posted WHIPs of: 1.09, 1.01, 1.01, 0.95, 0.97. You know what you’re getting from the guy.
Second, Gregerson’s control helps him get ahead in the count and set up a plus slider as an out pitch. It’s not in the same league as Giles, but 90% of the time, it works every time.
What are my weaknesses?
Gregerson has below average velocity, whether he throws the two-finger or four-finger version of the fastball. He rarely breaks 90 MPH. It’s basically all that’s prevented him from becoming an elite closer.
What is my future with the Astros?
I can’t see him re-signing after this contract, not with so many other options in the pen. The question then becomes whether you dangle him as a trade piece in a larger deal. I don’t think that we’ll happen – they’ll ride with him to (knocks on wood, throws salt, sacrifices rum to Jobu) the playoffs, and then let him walk.
What is my projected 2017 performance?
| W | L | IP | H | HR | BB | SO | ERA | WHIP | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 4 | 3 | 57.2 | 38 | 5 | 18 | 67 | 3.28 | 0.97 |
| PECOTA | 3 | 3 | 63 | 52 | 7 | 19 | 66 | 3.24 | 1.14 |
| ZIPS | 55.1 | 48 | 7 | 14 | 59 | 3.42 | 1.12 | ||
| MMWAG | 2 | 3 | 52 | 41 | 6 | 12 | 60 | 3.15 | 1.01 |
Who else would I remind you of?
The low velocity makes him hard to place among relievers. I don’t know – did Dave Smith have a big heater?