9th Best Astro Prospect
#9 Josh Hader LHP – (Stock decreased, #8 in 2014)
Josh Hader was the prospect that the Astros received in the Bud Norris trade. Hader came to Houston along with L.J. Hoes and a competitive draft pick that became Derek Fisher. Hader compares well to Chris Sale as a prospect and has been impressive pitching in the Astros system thus far.
One thing that Hader has in his favor over players like Michael Feliz and Lance McCullers is that he throws hard and is a left-handed pitcher. Josh Hader was the Astros minor league pitcher of the year in 2014, and was part of a combined no-hitter.
I interviewed Josh Hader here.
2014 Stats: 10 – 3/ 3.28 ERA/ 136 strikeouts in 123.1 innings
Affiliate Starting in 2015: Double-A Corpus Christi in rotation.
MLB Pipeline ETA: 2016
Ceiling: Chris Sale
Floor: Chris Capuano
Position blocker: Brett Oberholtzer
Next: 8th Best Astro Prospect