Astros Minors Report: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not for AA Corpus Christi

Who’s Hot: Joe Musgrove

Jun 23, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; A glove and ball belonging to Cincinnati Reds center fielder Billy Hamilton (not pictured) sits on the field before the Pittsburgh Pirates host the Reds at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Yes, I had to include the newest member of the Astros Top 10 prospects club to this list. Musgrove has been a beast in 2015 at Low A Quad Cities, High A Lancaster and AA Corpus Christi. The 22 year-old right hander has an near perfect record this year in the minors, posting a 4-1 record for Quad Cities, 4-0 record for Lancaster, and 3-0 record for Corpus Christi.

After seeing those stats, I don’t really care what his numbers are. If he’s a winner, I want him in an Astros uniform. End of story…not really. The kid obviously needs more time to grow, and here are his numbers at Corpus Christi by the way:

• 2.08 ERA
• o.90 WHIP
• 26 SO/4 BB
• 3-0 Record

As fast as Musgrove has been progressing this season, the Astros will probably be quick to pull him up to AAA if he continues to pitch well. But, I would argue that Musgrove should settle in at Corpus Christi for the final few weeks of this season. The Astros obviously think highly of him if they didn’t deal him in a deadline trade, and he has a lot of time to grow still. He isn’t needed in Houston, and can help the Hooks in a AA playoff run.

The only scenario in which I see Musgrove being promoted to AAA Fresno is one where a AAA pitcher gets promoted to the Astros in September call-ups and Musgrove is called up to replace that guy. I think he would do a fine job for the Grizzlies (or Tacos I guess), but he knows his status is safe within the Astros organization and there should be no rush on his promotion. I’d put his promotion chances at 30%.

Next: Who's Not Part 2