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Astros: Fresno Player Spotlight- Underrated Bullpen Pieces

By Colin Gay

Jul 6, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Houston Astros manager A.J. Hinch (14) points to the bullpen during a pitching change in the seventh inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 6, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Houston Astros manager A.J. Hinch (14) points to the bullpen during a pitching change in the seventh inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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The expectations attached to the Fresno Grizzlies, the Astros Triple-A affiliate, in 2016 was huge, and now they are back to their winning ways after a mediocre start to 2016.

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As of July 23rd, the Grizzlies are seven games over .500 and are only 3.5 games back of the Pacific Coast League-leading Tacoma Rainiers.

Part of the comeback for the Grizzlies had to do with their bullpen. Manager Tony DeFrancesco has many options to get the job done out of the bullpen, from right-handed closer James Hoyt to Josh Fields, a right-handed fireballer with big league experience.

This bullpen was put on display on Thursday night against the Round Rock Express. After a rough outing for left-hander Tommy Shirley, giving up three earned runs on six hits including a Joey Gallo home run in 2.1 innings, the bullpen was put to the test early. They met up to the challenge, throwing 5.2 innings of scoreless ball and giving up only one hit in the 3-0 loss.

Those three pitchers, Brendan McCurry, Jandel Gustave, and Jordan Jankowski, showed that the Astros do have a future regarding their bullpen.

Next: Brendan McCurry