Josh Hader

Active

Houston Astros · Pitcher

Age 326' 3" · 188 lbsThrows Left

FBaseball Overview

At 32 years old, Hader remains one of fantasy baseball's most elite strikeout producers and a five-time All-Star who continues to deliver premium stuff in Houston's bullpen. His 2025 season showcased his durability with a 2.05 ERA and 0.85 WHIP across 52.2 innings while accumulating 28 saves, establishing him as a reliable closer option in an Astros team built for contention. Early 2026 numbers hint at another dominant campaign, with his 0.58 WHIP and 19 strikeouts in limited action suggesting the elite control that has defined his All-MLB selections. The primary concern for fantasy managers is age-related durability and potential decline, though his track record of consistency and the Astros' commitment to his role make him a dependable source of saves and strikeouts for the season ahead.

News Updates

Josh Hader Collects Ninth Save
Houston Astros closer Josh Hader earned his ninth save of the season in Sunday's game against Tampa Bay, striking out two and walking one across a scoreless ninth inning. Hader continues to be a reliable option in high-leverage situations for the Astros.
Jul 6, 2026

MLB Pitching

Year	Team	G	W	L	SV	ERA	WHIP	K	IP	BB
2017	Milwaukee Brewers	35	2	3	0	2.08	0.99	68	47.2	22
2018	Milwaukee Brewers	55	6	1	12	2.43	0.81	143	81.1	30
2019	Milwaukee Brewers	61	3	5	37	2.62	0.81	138	75.2	20
2020	Milwaukee Brewers	21	1	2	13	3.79	0.95	31	19.0	10
2021	Milwaukee Brewers	60	4	2	34	1.23	0.84	102	58.2	24
2022	2 teams▼	56	2	5	36	5.22	1.28	81	50.0	21
2023	San Diego Padres	61	2	3	33	1.28	1.10	85	56.1	30
2024	Houston Astros	71	8	8	34	3.80	0.96	105	71.0	25
2025	Houston Astros	48	6	2	28	2.05	0.85	76	52.2	16
2026	Houston Astros	15	3	0	9	0.60	0.60	24	15.0	7
Career	Totals	483	37	31	236	2.58	0.93	853	527.1	205

Source: MLB Stats API · Multi-team seasons show combined totals — click to expand

Minor League Pitching

Year	Team	G	GS	W	L	SV	ERA	WHIP	K	IP	BB
2012	2 teams▼	17	0	2	0	2	1.88	0.80	48	28.2	9
2013	2 teams▼	22	22	5	6	0	2.77	1.26	95	107.1	54
2014	2 teams▼	27	19	10	3	2	3.28	1.18	136	123.1	54
2015	2 teams▼	24	17	4	7	1	3.03	1.17	119	104.0	35
2016	2 teams▼	25	25	3	8	0	3.29	1.24	161	126	55
2017	Colorado Springs Sky Sox	12	12	3	4	0	5.37	1.54	51	52.0	31
2026	2 teams▼	9	1	0	0	0	4.15	1.27	11	8.2	3
Career	Totals	136	96	27	28	5	3.27	1.22	621	549.3	241

Source: MLB Stats API · Multi-team seasons show combined totals — click to expand

Game Log2026 season

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Pitching Analytics2026 season · via Baseball Savant

Click for year to year changes

FB Velo95.3 mph

Avg Spin2357 rpm

Whiff %40.8%

K %44.4%

BB %13.0%

Hard Hit %13.0%

Barrel %4.3%

xERA0.94

xBA Against0.059

xSLG Against0.089

BA Against0.043

SLG Against0.106

What These Stats Mean

FB Velo — Average fastball velocity. Harder throwers generate more swings and misses, setting up every other pitch in their arsenal. Velocity is the foundation of strikeout upside.

Avg Spin — Average spin rate across all pitches. Higher spin creates more movement and makes pitches harder to square up — elite spinners run better strikeout and batting average against numbers.

Whiff % — Swings-and-misses per swing. The most direct measure of a pitcher's ability to miss bats and the best leading indicator of strikeout rate.

K % — Strikeout rate per batter faced. The core fantasy pitching stat — high K% means reliable strikeout totals that hold up even in shorter starts.

BB % — Walk rate per batter faced. The primary control metric. High BB% tanks ERA and WHIP and keeps baserunners on constantly. Elite starters typically run below 7%.

Hard Hit % — Percentage of batted balls hit 95 mph or harder against. Low hard-hit% means weak contact, protecting both ERA and the defense behind the pitcher.

Barrel % — Percentage of batted balls barreled against. The most direct home run predictor — low barrel% pitchers rarely give up long balls.

xERA — Expected ERA based on contact quality allowed, removing the effect of sequencing, luck, and defense. Better predictor of future ERA than ERA itself.

xBA Against — Expected batting average opponents should hit based on contact quality. A gap between xBA and actual BA indicates unsustainable luck in either direction.

xSLG Against — Expected slugging allowed based on contact quality. High xSLG against predicts future extra-base damage; low xSLG means the pitcher is genuinely suppressing power.

BA Against — Actual batting average opponents are hitting — a key WHIP component. Check xBA to see if the number is sustainable.

SLG Against — Actual slugging allowed. Captures hits, doubles, triples, and home runs — lower means the pitcher is limiting the power damage he gives up.

GB% — Ground ball rate. High GB% pitchers generate double plays, limit home runs, and keep the ball in the park — great for protecting ERA and WHIP ratios.

FB% — Fly ball rate. High FB% pitchers give up more air contact — dangerous when combined with high exit velocity, less so when contact is soft.

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Year

Team

ERA

WHIP

2017

Milwaukee Brewers

2.08

0.99

47.2

2018

Milwaukee Brewers

2.43

0.81

143

81.1

2019

Milwaukee Brewers

2.62

0.81

138

75.2

2020

Milwaukee Brewers

3.79

0.95

19.0

2021

Milwaukee Brewers

1.23

0.84

102

58.2

2022

2 teams▼

5.22

1.28

50.0

2023

San Diego Padres

1.28

1.10

56.1

2024

Houston Astros

3.80

0.96

105

71.0

2025

Houston Astros

2.05

0.85

52.2

2026

Houston Astros

0.60

15.0

Career

Totals

483

236

2.58

0.93

853

527.1

205

Year

Team

ERA

WHIP

2012

2 teams▼

1.88

0.80

28.2

2013

2 teams▼

2.77

1.26

107.1

2014

2 teams▼

3.28

1.18

136

123.1

2015

2 teams▼

3.03

1.17

119

104.0

2016

2 teams▼

3.29

1.24

161

126

2017

Colorado Springs Sky Sox

5.37

1.54

52.0

2026

2 teams▼

4.15

1.27

8.2

Career

Totals

136

3.27

1.22

621

549.3

241