Astros purchase the contract of pitcher Felipe Paulino

The Houston Astros have added a familiar name to their organization. They have purchased the contract of Felipe Paulino from the Sugar Land Skeeters.

Paulino seems to have resurrected his career as an effective relief pitcher. He had a few stints with the Astros between 2007-2010. He was primarily used as a starter in his six years in the  Major Leagues, starting approximately two-thirds of his appearances. Since joining the Skeeters in 2017 he has found success coming out of the bullpen.

The right-hander has also pitched for the Colorado Rockies, Kansas City Royals and the Chicago White Sox between 2011 and 2014, again, mostly as a starter.

According to Mark Berman of Fox 26, the Astros have purchased his contract from Sugar Land. Once he clears his physical, he will be reporting the Houston’s AAA affiliate, the Round Rock Express.

The 35-year-old native of the Dominican Republic had a career 5.22 ERA with four Major League clubs. In the three seasons he spent in Houston, his ERA was 5.83 and had a 6-21 record. His win-loss record over his entire career in the Majors was 13-34.

Paulino has rejuvenated his career with phenomenal results as a relief pitcher for the Skeeters. In the three years he has been in Sugar Land, he has appeared in 114 games, all in relief. During that span, his ERA is a very impressive 1.55.

He collected 33 saves last season, setting a Sugar Land record and leading all pitchers in the Atlantic League. Paulino also led the League among relief pitchers with 33 strikeouts. He was selected to the 2018 Mid-Season and Post-Season Atlantic League All-Star Teams. His ERA of 1.18 that season was the lowest of any qualifying pitcher in the League.

Paulino obviously is excited about this next step in his career and thankful for the opportunity he had with the Skeeters. “I want to thank the Skeeters organization for giving me the opportunity to play in this area — this is my home and has been for the last 15 years,” Paulino said. “… I just want to keep enjoying this (game) and am very happy with this opportunity.”

It looks like another one of GM Jeff Lunow’s low-risk, possible high-reward transactions. If his success continues in Round Rock as it has in Sugar Land, he may be wearing that Astros uniform once again.