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Astros Minors: Triple A Fresno looks to be loaded with MLB Talent

Aug 18, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Houston Astros first baseman A.J. Reed (23) hits a rbi single during the second inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 18, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Houston Astros first baseman A.J. Reed (23) hits a rbi single during the second inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
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Pitching

Mar 17, 2017; Fort Myers, FL, USA; Houston Astros relief pitcher Francis Martes (79) throws against the Boston Red Sox in the fifth inning at JetBlue Park. The Astros won 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2017; Fort Myers, FL, USA; Houston Astros relief pitcher Francis Martes (79) throws against the Boston Red Sox in the fifth inning at JetBlue Park. The Astros won 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

The pitching staff will be an electric group and will be led by the most electric arm in the Astros system. The Astros #1 prospect according to mlb.com, Francis Martes will look to continue his development in 2017. Hopefully, he can contribute in Houston at some point. Martes possesses an electric fastball that can reach 98 MPH, and has a devastating curveball off of that. He has worked on developing a third pitch change-up and can throw a slider. His arsenal is like that of current Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. Grizzlies fans should watch him pitch and prepare to be blown away by his ability.

Fresno’s rotation will be full of guys who have seen time at the Major League Level. Brady Rodgers will pitch at Fresno to start the year, and despite struggling in 2016, has a solid arsenal to work with. David Paulino, a top pitching prospect for Houston, will start the year on the Disabled List.

He will join Fresno when he is healthy, and he will be looking to get back to Houston. Joe Musgrove appears to be poised to take the 5th rotation spot for the Astros, but if he falls short, He is an exciting player that Fresno fans should be overjoyed to watch. Journeyman Aaron West will also look to pitch in the Fresno rotation.

Outlook

The Fresno Grizzlies will be a very exciting team to watch in 2017. They will send many of their players to the majors throughout the year. Such is the life of a minor league club, and this team looks to be a major one in 2017.

Next: Astros: David Paulino to begin season on DL

If you can, go and watch these young guys in their attempts to prove they belong in the majors. The Grizzlies will be a fascinating minor league team to follow in 2017.

***Statistics courtesy of baseballreference.com & www.mlb.com/prospects***

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