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Giovanny Gallegos 2020 Outlook: A Nice Closer Option Late
5 years agoSt. Louis Cardinals reliever Giovanny Gallegos bust onto the scene in 2019 and there’s an easy path to more fantasy goodness in 2020. In his longest appearance at the majors, he struck out 93 batters in 74 innings with a 2.31 ERA (3.05 FIP). Gallegos was dominant, to say the least as he relied solely on a four-seamer and slider to achieve a 27.6% K/BB rate that ranked 15th amongst relievers; his 16.3% Swinging Strike rate ranked equally as well. Gallegos was also able to minimize homers in the long-ball era, allowing only 1.09 HR/9. Carlos Martinez accrued 24 saves in 2019, but his move back to the starting rotation opens a clear path for someone to secure the closer gig. While there are other options in Jordan Hicks (likely in-season return from TJ surgery) recent fan-favorite Ryan Helsley, and veteran Andrew Miller, 28-year-old Gallegos represents the best option to lock down games. Drafting a reliever with dominant stuff and a great chance to close out games at pick 206 is easy pickings.
