A look at the Houston Astros improved starting pitching in 2014

(Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports)

Nick Tropeano

Tropeano was 1-3 with a 4.57 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, .241 BAA and 5.40 K/9 ratio. He was called up on September 2nd from the Oklahoma City RedHawks (AAA) after a terrific season in the minors and added to the Astros rotation. He finished with 13 strikeouts while allowing 19 hits, 9 walks, 11 earned runs, and zero home runs in four starts (21.2 innings pitched). He earned his first major league win in his first start on September 10th vs. the Mariners.

Tropeano, 24, was Houston’s 13th best prospect, according to MLB.com, and was exceptional in the Pacific Coast League this year. The PCL All-Star was 9-5 with a 3.03 ERA and 0.99 WHIP in 20 starts (124.2 innings) at OKC. He had 120 strikeouts and 33 walks while surrendering just 90 hits and 11 homers. He finished as the PCL’s leader in ERA, WHIP, and opponent batting average and was the first RedHawk to ever win the PCL ERA title. Tropeano, who was drafted by the Astros in the fifth round of the 2011 MLB Draft, will have a chance to earn a spot in the rotation next spring after showing some promise in 2014.