Astros: Fresno Player Spotlight- The New Pitchers

Aaron West

As Michael Knight predicted in his Corpus Christi spotlight earlier this year, West has earned himself a spot in Triple-A.

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After taking over the closer’s role when Brendan McCurry was called up, West got the job done. In 37 games, he converted 15 saves in 18 opportunities and had a 3.47 ERA. However, he did struggle with getting runners on base. West had a 1.33 WHIP with a .280 batting average against him.

Like any closer should, though, West is lights out in a couple of situations. First, when there are two outs, he has a 0.44 ERA with a 0.92 WHIP and a .228 average against. Also, when he is ahead in the count, he has a .250 average against with a 0.93 WHP.

In 2012, minorleagueball.com said West features, “a low-90’s fastball, a good slider, and a workable changeup.”  He does not have big strikeout numbers, though, averaging only around seven to eight strikeouts per nine innings in his Double-A career.

With the loss of Hoyt, Jandel Gustave and Jordan Jankowski have been getting save opportunities at the end of games. With West there and multiple guys in the Fresno bullpen with save experience, it will be interesting to see who manager Tony DeFrancesco gives the ball at the end of games.

Next: Keegan Yuhl