This story was excerpted from Brian McTaggart’s Astros Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
HOUSTON -- With Astros closer Josh Hader possibly headed to the All-Star Game in a season in which he’s 17-for-17 in save opportunities and has a 1.29 ERA in his first 26 appearances, his performance has overshadowed a terrific first half of the season by setup man Bryan Abreu.
Abreu entered Tuesday’s series opener against the White Sox with a 1.55 ERA and a .173 batting average against. He’s been scoreless in 27 of his first 29 appearances, and his 17 holds led the league.
“I just keep myself healthy and try to take advantage of every single opportunity to go out there and try to compete, throwing the ball over the plate,” Abreu said. “I think it’s being consistent, you know? Sometimes the result isn’t the way that we wanted, but that’s how it works. Just be consistent throwing the ball over the plate and everything is going to get better.”
Compared to last year, Abreu’s whiff rate has gone from 28.4% to 35.6% on his fastball and from 39.4% to 42.7% on his slider. That's helped him to a 38.8% whiff rate, which ranks in the 98th percentile in MLB and is a jump from last year's 34.0% (although below his 2022 and 2023 seasons). His slider has 43.3 inches of vertical drop, which is 8.1 inches more than comparable sliders and the most on a slider from any qualified pitcher.
He is also getting better overall results on his four-seamer, allowing a .156 average (7-for-45) and a .200 slugging percentage, compared to .256 and .471, respectively, last year.
Manager Joe Espada said he wanted to be mindful of the workload Abreu had last year and has tried to control his volume. He’s thrown more than one inning only four times this year, and those were all four-out outings. Last year, he had 11 outings of more than an inning, including two of 1 2/3 innings and one two-inning outing.
“When you have a weapon like that, it’s hard not to use him, because he’s probably one of the best relievers in the game, but so far I feel good where he is compared to last year,” Espada said.
Even though his barrel rate total is up from last year and he’s giving up harder contact, he’s been able to limit the damage.
“Once he comes in the game and once he’s ahead, he puts the hitters on their heels and he can put them away much quicker,” Espada said. “I’m always mindful to keep him and Hader healthy for the season. All our relievers, but especially [Abreu and Hader] at the end of the game.”
Abreu and Hader are one of baseball's top back-end bullpen combinations. Abreu gets to watch Hader from the dugout after his work is done and said he loves to the way he overpowers hitters with his hard fastball.
“That’s the type of mindset I’m willing to have to go out there, too,” Abreu said. “Just be like him and go there and attack hitters.”
It’s challenging for relief pitchers who aren’t closers to make the All-Star team, but Abreu has made his case. And it’s a strong one.
“The All-Star Game is a huge accomplishment for anyone,” he said. “I think it never crossed my mind. I just let God guide every single one of us. If I’m willing to go, it’s going to be more than welcome.”