Will Harris

Harris had been a rock-solid bullpen piece since joining the Astros, but last season he reached a new level in terms of run prevention, finishing with the second-lowest ERA among qualified relievers (1.50 ERA). The underlying numbers say he was basically the same guy he was the prior three seasons, even a little worse by xFIP and SIERA. His strikeout (27.1%) and walk (6.1%) rates remained mostly unchanged from 2018, but he threw his curveball at the highest rate of his career (42.1%) to complement his 91-mph cutter and help induce a 54.8% groundball rate. He entered free agency after pitching extremely well throughout the duration of his contract, ultimately landing with the Nationals on a three-year deal. Harris turned 35 in August and likely won't close initially, but his 2.36 ERA and 0.99 WHIP over the past five seasons in addition to his 2019 performance should position him for a key setup role.

Harris had another strong season in 2018, his third straight campaign in which his strikeout rate (27.8%), walk rate (6.1%) and groundball rate (49.7%) all beat the league average. He again fell out of favor in the playoffs, however, and was left off the ALCS roster entirely. The veteran also saw his workload managed carefully throughout the season, tossing just 56.2 innings despite being healthy all year. At 34 years old, it would be surprising to see that trend reverse in 2019, giving Harris a low ceiling as a non-closer with a small innings total and good-but-not-elite ratios. His performance shows no signs of decline, though at his age a drop-off wouldn't be surprising. As such, Harris can be ignored at draft time in most formats.

After being a key component of the bullpen all season, Harris fell out of favor in the playoffs. It obviously didn’t cost the Astros, but Harris only pitched in six postseason games, throwing just four innings. During the season, Harris recorded a 2.98 ERA and 0.97 WHIP, compiling 21 holds and two saves in 45.1 innings. He was shelved from mid-July through late August with a shoulder injury but returned to a 3.37 ERA and 1.03 WHIP with 13 whiffs and two holds in 10.2 innings down the stretch. Relying primarily on a cutter with a curve, he fanned 52 to just seven walks in 45.1 frames. Harris should again be an integral cog in the Houston bullpen, looking for his third consecutive season with at least 20 holds, with a chance to vulture wins behind a prolific offense. In an environment where middle relievers should be deployed more liberally in mixed leagues, Harris is a nice cheap target, as his price could be suppressed after he was virtually ignored in the playoffs.

Harris has become a force to be reckoned with since coming over to the Astros prior to the 2015 season. In the past two years, the right-hander has compiled a 2.07 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and more than a K-per-frame over 135.0 combined innings. He served as the midsummer closer for an Astros squad that utilized a revolving door at the back of the bullpen last season, but he hit a rough patch at the wrong time and was lifted from the role after four consecutive outings with at least one run allowed. He has a simple, two-pitch approach that is all curves and cutters, pitches that he will use with a 50/50 frequency when he gets two strikes on a hitter from either side of the plate. He will enter 2017 as one of the primary setup men for closer Ken Giles, and would need Giles to struggle mightily or suffer an injury to get back in the mix for saves.

Claimed off waivers by the Astros last November, Harris performed well for the team during spring training and secured a spot on the Opening Day roster. Overshadowed by free agent signees Luke Gregerson and Pat Neshek, the 31-year-old right-hander flew under the radar early in the year, but finished the season with the most appearances among Houston's pitchers (68). Harris easily had his best season as a pro in 2015, likely earning him a similar role out of the bullpen in 2016.

The Diamondbacks had plenty go wrong in 2014, but the emergence of several useful arms in the bullpen was among the pleasant surprises. The 30-year-old Harris was part of that cast, but his advanced age made the team willing to part with him at season's end. With a low-90s fastball and a curveball, he profiles as a middle reliever at this stage. If nothing else, Harris is a good story after spending the better part of seven years ascending through the Rockies' farm system before getting his first look in the big leagues in 2012. Last season, he carried a 29.2% strikeout rate and showed steady control (7.5% BB%), prompting the Astros to claim him off waivers. Look for Harris to get an opportunity to secure an Opening Day roster spot with Houston during spring training.

Harris was great out of the bullpen for the 2013 Diamondbacks, finishing the year with a 2.91 ERA and a 9.1 K/9. The righty is not a likely candidate to close in 2014, but those strikeout rates will always keep him in the discussion in the case of injury, and he brings good control (2.6 BB/9) to the table along with the aforementioned ability to miss bats. With David Hernandez and J.J. Putz coming off of disappointing seasons, Harris' chances of seeing time in the ninth inning in 2014 are not as remote as they might seem at first glance.

After performing some nice middle-relief work at Double-A and Triple-A earlier last season, Harris was rewarded with his first taste of the big leagues. Unfortunately for Harris, he was hit hard upon on arrival, allowing 16 runs on 27 hits over 20 appearances. Now that the Rockies have their full complement of relievers in tow to begin the season, expect Harris to head to Triple-A and be on call in the event of an injury to a reliever.