Two Possible Bullpen Additions

Earlier this morning news broke of several players that have been given DFA limbo. MLB Trade Rumors has posted that two relievers from the Indians system could be available on the waiver wire. The Astros made several bullpen additions during the offseason and with the departure of Raul Valdes, maybe the club needs to find a diamond in the rough.

The Astros current construction includes a closer-by-committee. With Jesse Crain on the disabled list to begin the season, a few players will be in competition for the job. Josh Fields had experience in that role last year and has done exceptionally well in spring training 2014. Chad Qualls and Matt Albers are also expected to pitch during the 9th inning due to their veteran status.

Brad Peacock in the bullpen is a puzzling move in my opinion. Last season proved that he was an asset out of the starting rotation. He also has options remaining. If the Astros were to acquire another bullpen arm, I would like to see Peacock in Oklahoma City as a starting pitcher. He would very well likely force the Astros hand to join the 5-man rotation.

Brad Peacock

(Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports)

So why should the Astros add another bullpen arm? Well, the Cleveland Indians designated two relievers with excellent ERA numbers from their AAA stints last season. Though both have minimal time with a MLB team, I believe that their other statistics make them quality candidates to pitch in an MLB bullpen.

Preston Guilmet was originally a 9th round selection of the 2009 draft by the Indians. He is a right handed reliever. In nearly 300 innings through five seasons, Guilmet has recorded 90 saves and 324 strike outs. The statistics that make me the most interested in Preston are the K/BB rate and his HR/9 which are 5.06 and 0.7. Some of the Astros bullpens of late have me haunted of home runs, so any player that strikes guys out while limiting home runs has me thrilled.

Colt Hynes is a sidearm lefty relief pitcher who has had a fairly impressive minor league track record. At first it may appear as his career has stalled upon reaching AAA Tucson, but then I noticed that the 2012 season saw him experiment with being a starting pitcher. One should also note that the AA and AAA affiliates of the Padres minor league system are fairly hitter friendly. That is one of the reasons why his H/9 could be a little too high. Still, in 17 innings with the Padres last season, he was roughed up on the mound. Colt’s remarkable strikeouts to walk ratios from last season with the AAA club, 11.0 K/9 and 0.4 BB/9, are intriguing statistics.

Maybe Colt’s H/9 will plague his chances of being a successful pitcher at the MLB level. With the Astros only employing one left-handed reliever, perhaps Hynes could be in uniform soon. Though Preston probably has higher upside due to his style as a deceptive reliever with finesse, either one of these guys would likely be a beneficial addition to the roster.