At the start of play April 25, the Houston Astros are mired in last place in the American League West.
The Astros begin play Thursday with a dismal, 7-18 record.
One need only look at the banged up Astros starting rotation to help find an answer for their troubles.
It may not be the only reason for their troubles, but it certainly contributes.
At the start of play April 25, the Astros ranked 28th of the 30 MLB teams, with a 5.14 Earned Run Average. They have a 28th ranked WHIP, at 1.50.
Astros pitching had yielded a .264 batting average to opponents, which ranked them 28th among big league pitching staffs.
Along with the Chicago White Sox, Astros pitchers have given up 135 runs. Only the Colorado Rockies 142 runs allowed is worse.
The Astros are trying to navigate their schedule without five potential starting pitchers. The list includes:
RHP Luis Garcia (Tommy John surgery in May 2023)
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RHP Cristian Javier (Neck discomfort)
RHP Lance McCullers Jr. (Elbow surgery in June 2023)
RHP Jose Urquidy (Strained forearm)
LHP Framber Valdez (Elbow inflammation)
Javier is the most recent addition to the Injured List, having been placed on the IL April 21.
The Astros promoted their most highly rated prospect pitcher, right-hander Spencer Arrighetti, to take Javier’s place on the roster, and in the rotation.
Arrighetti has been used as a starter, and reliever in his Astros development.
The Astros also recalled right-hander Forrest Whitley, who had long been considered a solid prospect pitcher for Houston.
Whitley has started in his past, but he will most likely be used out of the bullpen in his time with the parent Astros.
The only good rotation news came when All Star, and likely future Hall of Fame right-hander Justin Verlander returned to action with a four hit, 6 inning quality start victory against the Washington Nationals April 19.
Joining Verlander in the Astros rotation are right-handers Ronel Blanco, Hunter Brown, J.P. France, and Spencer Arrighetti.
As CNN.com indicated Blanco, 30, threw a no-hitter in only his eighth big league start, Monday April 1. He defeated the Toronto Blue Jays, 10-0. It took him 105 pitches to complete the game.
Pitching On the Astros Farm:
MLB.com lists only Arrighetti among the team’s first seven players ranked in the Astros farm system. Arrighetti is rated the team’s third best prospect, behind outfielders Jacob Melton, and Luis Baez.
Other highly noted prospect pitchers by MLB.com are right-handers A.J. Blubaugh, ranked 8th, and Jose Fleury, rated 9th.
Lefty Colton Gordon is MLB.com’s 10th ranked player. He is the most advanced, as he is pitching at Triple-A Sugar Land. He can be used both as a starter, or reliever.
In short, the Astros really don’t boast much organizational starting pitching depth.
Injuries and Pitching Depth:
Without question, pitching injuries have swept through Major League Baseball.
From sore neck issues, to shoulder pain, to forearm issues, to torn elbow ligaments, MLB pitchers are suffering injuries at an alarming rate.
Issues regarding pitching depth have motivated teams like the Cleveland Guardians and Miami Marlins to concentrate entire MLB first-year player drafts on selecting pitchers.
In the pandemic shortened 2020 season, the Marlins used all their six picks on pitchers, and five of those were from the collegiate level.
In 2021, the Cleveland Guardians used 19 of 21 picks on pitchers.
In Cleveland’s case, Tanner Bibee, and Gavin Williams, both drafted in 2021, have already appeared in the Guardians major league rotation.
Bibee is a fixture in the current Guardians rotation, while Williams is rehabilitating from an elbow injury he suffered in spring training.
Astros Payroll:
One might wonder why the Astros didn’t sign a free agent pitcher, or trade for a starting pitcher during the offseason?
They did, however, add depth to the bullpen with the acquisition of All Star reliever, Josh Hader. The Astros are paying Hader $19 million per year, for five years. He can become a free agent after the 2028 season.
Hader’s $95 million contract is a major commitment to the Astros pitching staff.
It should be noted that Houston is paying Verlander $43,333,333 this year, and will pay him $35 million next year, before his contract expires in the 2026 season.
Lance McCullers Jr., who hasn’t pitched since making eight starts in 2022, is being paid $17 million this season, and $17 million each year until he can become a free agent in 2027.
Christian Javier’s contract won’t expire until he can become a free agent in 2026. He is working on a five-year, $64 million contract he signed in 2023.
So indeed, the Astros have made major financial commitments to pitching.
sportrac.com lists the Astros player payroll to be $249,528,711.
The Astros payroll ranks third on the sportrac.com 2024 Total Payroll list, behind the New York Mets and New York Yankees.
Given the payment deferral of Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, the Dodgers team payroll is listed at $227,954,173, behind the Mets, Yankees, Astros, Phillies, Rangers, and Braves.
Now, despite making long and costly commitments to several pitchers, the Houston Astros find themselves short on starting pitching in a division where they usually find tremendous success.
