MAKING THE PITCH: Houston Astros

Updated #Astros projection after RHP Jordan Lyles and RHP John Ely optioned to minors. mlbdepthcharts.com/2012/02/housto…
— Jason Martinez (@mlbdepthcharts) March 20, 2013

Felipe M

We take a look at the projected starting rotations and closer situations of every MLB team.  Of course, this will come from a fantasy perspective.  All cited stats are based on 2013 projections.  

To see our preview of the Tampa Rays, click here.

Now let's take a look (unfortunately) on the Houston Astros:

2013 PITCHING PROJECTIONS
Player	K/BB	K/9	BB/9	H/9	WHIP	HR/A
Bud Norris	2.49	8.75	3.52	8.70	1.36	1.11
Erik Bedard	2.25	8.28	3.67	8.21	1.32	1.01
Lucas Harrell	1.66	6.14	3.69	8.68	1.37	0.69

It's funny to mention Jordan Lyles as he was penciled in as the #4 starter earlier in the spring.  It's worth monitoring him because of his potential, but his numbers are somewhere in between mediocre and adequate.  He was projected to post a 1.36 WHIP so perhaps getting optioned to the Minors wasn't a bad thing.  

But trying to figure out this team is absolutely frustrating.  Their offense is terrible and their pitching staff is slightly better--that's not saying much.  Lucas Harrell is supposed to be the #2 pitcher.  At one point in the spring, he was actually competing for the #1 role!  Following Harrell is Phil Humber.  Humber's numbers were so bad, that I decided to keep him away from my Pitchers' Big Board.  I don't care that he's pitched a perfect game, I don't want him anywhere near my team.  That goes for Harrell as well.  For the sake of balance, both Humber and Harrell have pitched pretty well this spring.  So perhaps there's some hope for these guys; it won't happen on my team.    

Also not listed is closer, Jose Veras.  Aside from having to fend off other relievers (like prospect Jarred Cosart), Veras' career and projected numbers were so terrible, that I decided to not place his name on the "big board."  He has issues with control and high WHIP, but on the bright side, he can rack up the K's.  Proceed with caution.  

Barring setback or something unforeseen, Erik Bedard's expected to make #Houston #Astros' 25-man roster. #MLB
— Brian T. Smith (@ChronAstros) March 22, 2013

It is amazing that there was enough competition for Erik Bedard to not be named to the starting rotation until this week.  He is penciled in as the #4 starter.  He does come with baggage, however: injury history, decreased production, age, etc.  Nevertheless, his projection shows that he still can be an adequate, fantasy pitcher.  Currently, he's ranked between Ervin Santana and Ricky Nolasco on our "Big Board."  A deep sleeper if he can stay healthy and find a way to drop his walk rate.  

And yes, there's still an open competition for the #5 slot.  Brad Peacock has the pedigree and the spring numbers to best his opponent, Alex White. Somehow, Peacock worked his way from a predictable trip back to the Minors, to being on the verge of starting the year with the Big League club.  Unfortunately, he's projected to have issues with walks and finish with a WHIP of 1.40.  

Finally, Bud Norris is the opening day starter.  Besides the K/9, his numbers are not very impressive.  I have him stuck between soft-tossers, Jeremy Guthrie and Ross Detwiler.  

More MLB content is available here.  

2012 MLB PROSPECT REVIEW: #15-11

 A lot of Mariners' players were on this list.  Seattle is looking
to get back to their "glory" days and are hoping that their
young, pitching prospects can lead them to success.
(photo courtesy of Felipe M)

Felipe M

15. James Paxton--SP--Seattle Mariners

• 2012 Outlook: "Dominant in 1st year of Minors.  Big League call-up may not be too far off in 2012."
• 2012 Achievements: #4 Prospect in Mariners' system as well as having its Best Curveball; #10 Prospect in Southern League.
• Conclusion: The Mariners are loaded with young, hot prospects and Paxton is one of them.  His Double-A numbers saw Paxton struggle a bit with control, but was still able to display dominance: K/BB 2.4; WHIP 1.31; H/9 7.7; BB/9 4.1; K/9 10.0.  Paxton was invitied to the Mariners' spring training camp, but it is very likely he will be returning to the Minors in 2013, but many scouts think he can be a top-of-the-rotation starter and a mid-season call-up would not be out of the ordinary.

14. Brad Peacock--SP--Houston Astros

• 2012 Outlook: "If he makes the A's roster, he can be the 2012 version of Brandon Beachy."
• 2012 Achievements: #4 A's prospect
• Conclusion: After performing well in the Nationals' system, he struggled mightily in Pacific Coast league last season post the following numbers: K/BB 2.11; K/9 9.3; BB/9 4.4; HR/9 1.1; H/9 9.8; WHIP 1.58.  He recently was traded along with Chris Carter to Houston for SS Jed Lowrie.

13. Jacob Turner--SP--Miami Marlins

• 2012 Outlook: "'Control artist' should make his way to the Big Leagues in 2012."
• 2012 Achievements: Started 10 games the Majors. 
• Conclusion: Turner was traded to Miami for Anibal Sanchez and Omar Infante as Detroit was stocking up for a playoff run.  Before being called up, Turner garnered 18 pitching starts in the Minors:  K/BB 1.95; WHIP 1.24; BB/9 3.3; H/9 7.9; K/9 6.4.  His MLB stat line looks like this: K/BB 2.25, WHIP 1.20; BB/9 2.62; H/9 8.2; K/9 5.9.  So very similar numbers, but slightly improved his walks in the Majors.  Turner's ticket to the Majors is his control and is projected to start in the middle of the rotation.  A concern is his low strikeout rate as many scouts and experts are starting to doubt his reputation as a potential, elite starter.  

12. Randall Delgado--SP--Arizona Diamondbacks

Seattle was also in pursuit of Justin Upton this offseason and
were willing to give up their promising prospects for him.
Instead, Upton will be playing in Atlanta with his
brother B.J.
(photo courtesy of Mike McCann's Field of Fotos)

• 2012 Outlook: "Might start the season in the Big Leagues depending if Tim Hudson is healthy."
• 2012 Achievements: Made 17 pitching starts for the Atlanta Braves last season.
• Conclusion: Delgado was dealt to Arizona in the Justin Upton trade. Very likely that Delgado will get a shot to compete for the back end of Arizona's rotation in spring training.  His numbers in Triple-A: K/BB 2.38; K/9 10.4; BB/9 4.4; H/9 9.0; WHIP 1.49.  His numbers for the 2012 MLB season: K/BB 1.81; K/9 7.38; BB/9 4.08; H/9 8.69; WHIP 1.41.  So clearly he needs to show he can improve his control and command, but has also shown dominance throughout his young career as well and that's why he remains such an enticing pitcher. 

11. Duane Below--SP--Detroit Tigers

• 2012 Outlook: "Might make the Tigers as team's 5th starter out of spring training."
• 2012 Achievements: Appeared in 27 games for the Tigers, including one pitching start.
• Conclusion: Posted solid numbers as a reliever last year.  His K/9 did dip to an ordinary 5.66.  Might start 2013 in the Minors as well. Triple-A stats: WHIP 1.30; H/9 8.4; BB/9 3.3; K/9 6.1; K/BB 1.84.  So it is noticeable that Below's strikeout rate has been dropping throughout his career as he continues to struggle with command and tries to improve his walks' totals.  

Prospects #20-16 are available here.

Prospects #10-6 are available here.