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Giovanny Gallegos 2023 MLB Outlook: Has Closer Stuff, But Doesn’t Have Closer Role
2 years agoGiovanny Gallegos started 2022 at the Cardinals closer. He ended the season in a setup role to Ryan Helsley without doing too much wrong. Over the course of the season, Gallegos had a 3-6 W-L record, 3.05 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 73 Ks and 14 saves (59.0 IP). His 2.92 xERA, 3.51 xFIP and 2.89 SIERA support his numbers while his 31.1% K% ranked in the 91st percentile. Of the 144 relievers with at least 50.0 IP, Gallegos' 23.4% K-BB% ranked 29th. Gallegos did have six blown saves with the sixth one leaving him with a 3.86 ERA but once he moved into more of a setup role from mid-July, Gallegos had a 1.88 ERA with four saves and seven holds the rest of the season. There's no reason to believe Helsley won't start the season as the Cardinals' closer with Gallegos used more as a setup guy. Still, he's most likely the next in line should anything happen to Helsley and in leagues counting holds, Gallegos is one of the best options available. With an ADP of ~305, Gallegos isn't being drafted as a closer but on a team capable of putting up 90+ wins, he should be able to tally double-digit saves. If a time comes that Gallegos is the Cardinals' ninth-inning guy, he could easily be a top-10 fantasy closer from that moment on.
