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Josh Hader 2025 Player Outlook: Elite Strikeout Upside, Job Security Outweigh ERA Jump
Houston Astros closer Josh Hader turned in another high-end fantasy season in 2024. The 30-year-old converted 34 of 38 save opportunities with a 3.80 ERA, a 0.96 WHIP, and a 37.8% strikeout rate in 71 innings pitched. He also picked up eight wins. Hader's sinker-slider combo remained one of baseball's deadliest swing-and-miss pairings, resulting in a 20.5% swinging-strike rate. However, his ERA was over a run higher than his career 2.70 mark. This was due to home run issues; Hader's 1.52 HR/9 rate and 15.8% HR/FB rate were both higher than his career averages. Despite relying on a sinker, Hader has always been a flyball pitcher and allowed much harder contact than he has in previous seasons. This hurt him particularly at home, as his overall performance was worse in his new home of Daikin Park. Hader is currently being drafted at pick 49 overall, making him the second closer drafted. He offers high job security and can be used for multi-inning outings, so he should provide a high floor for saves and wins. Fantasy managers may have him slightly lower in closer order given his jump in ERA, but Hader should still be one of fantasy's best closers even if his ERA does stay somewhat inflated.
