Houston Astros: Corpus Christi Player Spotlight – Keegan Yuhl

A Look at the Houston Astros Double-A Team

The Corpus Christi Hooks are the hottest team in Double-A baseball for the Houston Astros. The pitching has been a major part of their success for the past month and will continue to be a driving force for the team for the foreseeable future. One pitcher who continues to do well start after start is Keegan Yuhl. He is integral to the success of the team and will be under the spotlight this week.

Yuhl is not a big name when it comes to the prospects for the Houston Astros (not in the top 20), but that does not mean he is any less talented. Yuhl was a drafted late in the MLB draft in the 35th round in 2014. Everywhere he has gone, he has had success for the organization, whether it be in the Rookie League or now in Double-A.

His worst ERA recorded was in Quad Cities during his first season as a pro, and that was only a 3.07. Between Class-A Full and Advanced last season, he recorded 33 games (only eight starts) and finished with a 1.74 ERA. He also finished with a good WHIP of 1.14.

Yuhl’s strengths/pitches include an ever-improving breaking ball as well as a decent fastball and changeup. He has the ability, similarly to Chris Devenski, to transition between starting games and coming out of the bullpen without any difficulty.

Related Story: Keeping up with the Astros Prospects: RHP Keegan Yuhl (interview)

This year in Double-A Corpus Christi, Yuhl has transitioned into more of a starter, starting eight of his ten appearances on the year. Besides Joe Musgrove when he was on the team and David Paulino, Keegan has probably been the best starter on the team, yet is going under the radar.

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Though not a big strikeout pitcher, Yuhl just knows how to get people out and is relatively good at not giving up the long-ball, only surrendering 10 in his career. This season in Corpus Christi, Keegan Yuhl has only a 2.79 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP, both solid numbers.

What can Yuhl do for the Astros in the long run? Because of his versatility between starting and relieving, Yuhl could end up a very valuable piece for the Astros. Depending on the starting pitching situation at the time of his call-up, he could instantly be in the rotation or just go to the bullpen and be a great reliever there.

Next: Astros’ Potential Catcher Draft Picks in 2016

Due to the influx of starting pitching talent over the next few years for Houston, Keegan Yuhl may also be a part of a trade for major league talent. Overall, Yuhl is very underrated and will make a good pitcher in the majors someday soon.

***Stats from Baseball-Reference and MLB.com***