The Astros are tabbing AJ Blubaugh to start out tomorrow in opposition to the Tigers, the group introduced to reporters (together with Chandler Rome of The Athletic). The righty will go reverse one other rookie, Jackson Jobe, in his main league debut. Houston already has a gap on the 40-man roster; they’ll solely must make an energetic roster transfer involving a pitcher.
Blubaugh, 24, is without doubt one of the prime pitching prospects in a Houston system that’s gentle on arms. A seventh-round decide from the College of Wisconsin-Milwaukee within the 2022 draft, he has turned in a 4.02 ERA over 268 1/3 minor league innings. Drafted as a reliever, Blubaugh started a rotation transfer in 2023. He labored as a full-time starter a yr in the past, pitching to a 3.71 ERA in 28 appearances between the highest two minor league ranges. Blubaugh recorded a strong 24.5% strikeout proportion in opposition to a 9.4% stroll fee.
The 6’2″ righty pitched within the Futures Recreation a season in the past. He ranked among the many prime 10 prospects within the Houston system at each Baseball America and The Athletic (through Keith Legislation) over the offseason. He’s usually considered as a possible back-end starter who has first rate command of a fringe-average pitch combine. Blubaugh’s fastball velocity has ticked up early this yr. He’s averaging 93.8 MPH on the pitch after sitting at 92.5 throughout his Triple-A piece final season. He’s mixing 5 pitches (four-seam, cutter, slider, curveball and changeup) with regularity.
Blubaugh has discovered early success in a tricky pitching atmosphere within the Pacific Coast League. He carries a 3.86 ERA over 21 innings spanning 5 appearances. He has punched out 30% of opponents whereas strolling batters at an elevated 10.8% fee. Blubaugh joins Colton Gordon as rotation depth choices who occupy a 40-man roster spot.
It’s unclear if his first look will merely be a spot begin. Hayden Wesneski would have been lined up on Wednesday. Supervisor Joe Espada stated on Tuesday afternoon that the righty’s begin could be skipped after he was pitching with diminished velocity throughout his begin final Friday (hyperlink through Matt Kawahara of The Houston Chronicle). Espada downplayed the notion that Wesneski was injured, although it’s price nothing the Astros present much less in the best way of well being specifics than every other group. In any case, Blubaugh will get the ball no less than as soon as in his preliminary name to the massive leagues.
