3 years agoIn 2021, St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Giovanny Gallegos regained his dominant 2019 form after a 2020 campaign that was limited to just 15 innings pitched due to a groin injury and delayed arrival after the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown. He was the primary setup man to closer Alex Reyes until Reyes lost the job in late August. Once Gallegos took over as closer, he converted 11 saves in September over 13 2/3 IP with 21 strikeouts, a 3.29 ERA, and a 0.88 WHIP. On the season, Gallegos posted a 3.02 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, 95 strikeouts, 14 saves, and 24 holds over 80 1/3 IP. Supporting this solid campaign was a .240 wOBA against which was 11th among all qualified pitchers. His 3.10 xERA, .272 xwOBA against, and .206 xBA against were also all in the top 13% of MLB. Heading into 2022, expect more of the same from Gallegos in terms of solid ratios and a K/9 close to 11, given his consistent underlying metrics. Gallegos should get the lion's share of save opportunities out of the gate in 2022. As a result, managers who miss out on the top tier closer options in drafts will want to target Gallegos in the middle rounds. With a 105 ADP, Gallegos is correctly being taken as the 10th or 11th closer off of draft boards in mixed league formats. His fantasy value gets a further boost in those formats that reward holds where (should Gallegos share or lose the coveted Cardinals closer role) he will accumulate a good number of holds on a team that will contend for the NL Central title in 2022. Alternatively, if he can maintain the closer role for the duration of the 2022 campaign, he could finish as a top-7 reliever in a league bereft of bona fide closers, far exceeding his current ADP.--Nick Ritrivi - RotoBaller