RADIO
Giovanny Gallegos 2021 Player Outlook: Great Ratios With Some Saves
4 years agoHeading into 2020, Giovanny Gallegos was coming off a breakout 2019 campaign in which he struck out 93 batters in 74 innings pitched and posted a 2.31 ERA and 0.81 WHIP supported by a 27.6% K/BB rate. Unfortunately, due to a delayed arrival in summer camp and a mid-September groin injury, Gallegos pitched just 15 innings in 2020. In those 15 IP, Gallegos posted four saves (in four opportunities) with a 3.60 ERA, a 0.87 WHIP, and 21 strikeouts. Gallegos' 2020 numbers were consistent with his 2019 breakout, and his limited performance was supported by a 2.06 FIP. Not much has changed for Gallegos heading into 2021. The Cardinals will likely continue to use Gallegos as a member of a committee and not as their sole closer. Accordingly, Gallegos remains an excellent option in leagues that reward holds, but his ceiling in saves-only leagues will be limited unless he, somehow, runs away with the closer role in a stacked Cardinals bullpen. Due to his position as a member of a closer-committee, Gallegos' value as a fantasy reliever takes a hit. That said, managers willing to roster Gallegos will be rewarded with superb ratios and strikeouts, along with some saves, still making Gallegos a great late-round selection around pick 289.
