Blue Jays: Getting to know new closer Ken Giles

Ken Giles, a former top closer, has fallen off this year and has spent some time in the minor leagues. With excellent peripherals and stellar past performances at the big league level, he’s struggled with control and consistency, making him an excellent restoration project for this team going forward. Still, the Blue Jays have acquired an undoubtedly valuable piece in Giles.

When news that the Blue Jays were acquiring former top closer Ken Giles in a trade from the Houston Astros broke, many fans were saddened that the seemingly overrated former top prospect would be the potential headliner.

Regardless of any initial perceptions, it’s hard to argue that Ken Giles is both an intriguing and exciting pitcher. A former top prospect and respected closer, Giles is a fantastic rebound candidate, and a new environment should serve him well.

A seventh-round pick of the Philadelphia Phillies in 2011, Giles quickly climbed the minor league ladder thanks to a stellar 2014 season that saw him pitch to a 1.88 ERA in 28.2 innings with the Phillies’ Double-A and Triple-A affiliates.

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Later that season, the native of Albuquerque, New Mexico made his major league debut and dazzled opposing hitters, holding them to a slash line of .164/.220/.230 while saving a single game down the stretch for the Phillies.

The next season, he continued his string of excellence, pitching to a 1.80 ERA in 69 games, saving 15 and striking out 87 in 70.0 innings. It was shortly after the end of the 2015 season that Giles was dealt along with Jonathan Arauz to the Astros for former first overall pick Mark Appel, Vince Velasquez, Brett Oberholtzer (a Blue Jay in 2016), Tom Eshelman and Harold Arauz.

Saving 15 games in 2016 for the Astros in 2016 and 34 for them in 2017, Giles quickly established himself as one of the league’s top young closers. Since the 2015 season, Giles has been worth 3.2 WAR.

This season, the product of Yavapai College struggled out of the gate, pitching to a 4.99 ERA in 34 games for Houston, saving 12 games and allowing 17 earned runs in just 30.2 innings. After a demotion to Triple-A, all hope seemed to be lost for the once-revered closer. Now, he’ll get a chance to come back a new pitcher with a new organization.

A flamethrowing righty, Giles plays the game with intensity and passion, which although contributes to an exciting and loyal player, can often be misused as anger and rage. Notably, Giles gained notoriety online for punching himself in the face following a subpar outing against the New York Yankees.

Under team control until the 2021 season, Giles figures to be a big part of the future of this ballclub. With huge upside and nearly unlimited potential, expect Giles to be a major part of the bullpen going forward. Despite his former stint in Triple-A, it is expected that Giles will report to the Blue Jays major league team in Oakland.