Astros: Fresno Player Spotlight- The New Pitchers

Edison Frias

Signing with the Astros as a non-drafted free agent in 2011 out of the Dominican Republic, Frias has been overlooked throughout his career. His numbers have not earned their attention, with a 3.76 career ERA in the minors. However, his 2016 season with Corpus Christi has been sensational.

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In 15 games, including ten starts, Frias has a record of 4-1 with a 2.44 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP. He also struck out 62 batters in his 73.2 innings pitched.

Although he has not been much of a strikeout pitcher, averaging only 7.6 strikeouts per nine innings this season in Corpus Christi, Frias has limited the number of hits given up. With a .222 average against, he has given up only 60 hits in 73.2 innings. However, he has struggled with command, averaging 3.7 walks per nine innings.

According to an article from minorleagueball.com, from the SB Nation network, Frias has done this with a three-pitch arsenal. In a scouting report of his 2015 stint with Lancaster, he throws a low to mid-nineties fastball that doesn’t have the command to blow by hitters. However, his other two pitches, his changeup and curveball, “flashes plus potential”. He mostly uses his changeup as a strikeout pitch, “down and into right-handed batters” after a first pitch fastball.

In his first two starts with Fresno, he has struggled. He has given up eight earned runs on 12 hits in 12 innings pitched, striking out six and walking four.

Frias is going to have to work on his command and trying to make his fastball less hittable compared to his secondary pitches before the Astros even think about calling him up. He will probably have a long stint with Fresno ahead of him.

Next: Brian Holmes