Houston Astros: Four starting pitchers that could be considered

The Astros pitching staff has been a weak link, and recently it has shown through as such. Let’s look at four different pitchers that could help the club.

Gerrit Cole, Justin Verlander, and Wade Miley. That’s your only constants on this Astros staff. Brad Peacock has done a good job as of late (last outing and injury withstanding) but has shown going deep into games is a struggle.

Since the start of the season, the Houston Astros have had a proverbial carousel of pitchers try to hammer down the number five spot in the rotation. Ranging from Collin McHugh, Josh James, Corbin Martin, Framber Valdez, and now the debut of Jose Urquidy.

A more astute fan would say, “You’re complaining about the #5 spot, there’s no real reason to panic.” While you would be right on paper, really, I’m complaining about the #3 spot. Miley is a true number four, and the way Peacock pitches, he is a number five. The need for a pitcher to go deep into games is at a fever pitch right now.

It’s moments like this I really wish Lance McCullers‘ elbow would just magically repair itself and he’s able to pitch tomorrow.

Or the Houston Astros would have just upped the offer to Charlie Morton to convince him to stay.

Alas, this is not the case.  However, with a deep farm system and the pieces to help rebuilding franchises, the Astros have the means to acquire a pitcher who fits the bill.

Two names you will not see on this list. Max Scherzer and the incorrigible Madison Bumgarner.  While Scherzer is the prize to be had and the overall best option (if the National’s do intend on trading him), I want to focus on names that many people have not considered.

I will also never, ever, want Madison Bumgarner. Don’t at me. His average against and hard-hit balls against are astronomical for his name and price tag.

With that said, we are going to base this list off a few different aspects. Pitching style (IE: Exit Velocity/RPM spin rate), effectiveness versus left-handed batters, and also the price tag.

Spencer Turnbull: Detroit Tigers – Right-Handed Starting Pitcher

As we stay in Detroit, we avert the gaze from the left-handed Boyd to the equally effective and deadly Spencer Turnbull.

The 26-year-old power pitcher is a very intriguing option that not many people are talking about. Mainly due to the aforementioned Boyd.  Turnbull has with him a commanding fastball, topping out at 95 MPH that spins at 2,400 RPM. In contrast, Gerrit Cole sits at 2,521 RPM. Trevor Bauer sits at 2,313 RPM and the league average is 2,284.

Turnbull also mixes in a changeup, cutter, slider combo to be deadly effective. His season average currently sits at 3.31 ERA, 8.4 SO/9IP, and a 2.2 pitching WAR.

Through 89.2 innings pitched, Turnbull is giving an output of 84 strikeouts and only surrendering eight home runs.

He is arbitration eligible all the way through the 2021 season, likely increasing the number of prospects it would be to pry away this young righty away from the Tigers. However, on a team that is rebuilding, the investment in Turnbull would be more promising than Boyd.

The downside is, as of June 27th, Turnbull was placed on the 10-Day IL for shoulder fatigue. This could play well into the Astros favor, as Jeff Luhnow has shown a penchant for making late deals near the deadline. Turnbull could have made a full recovery from his injury and be ready to finish out the rest of his season with the Astros in Houston.

Zack Greinke:  Arizona – Right-Handed Starting Pitcher

Ok, admittedly, I’m not a fan of what I’m about to write. I don’t like the contract, I don’t like the idea of investing in dead money, and I don’t like investing in aging players.

However, you can’t deny the output and the relief Greinke would bring to an Astros team looking to upgrade a needy starting pitching staff.

His average velocity has dropped dramatically, as his fastball is only topping out at 89.6 MPH, that’s almost four points below the league average. His spin rate is steady though, coming in at 2,319 RPM for his fastball, which is just fractions off of Matthew Boyd’s.

His repertoire is hefty. He has with him an arsenal that includes a fastball, changeup, curve, and sinker. This season he is sitting at a 2.90 ERA through 115 innings pitched, striking out 99 batters as well. His 7.7 SO/9IP is a dip from his 8.6 SO/9IP last year.

At 35, his contract is up after the 2022 season at a $35 million clip. At the end of his contract, he would be 38-39. His velocity is dropping, his strikeouts are following suit. This is purely an idea due to his ability to be crafty at his age.

He would merely be a veteran presence that would be your fifth or fourth starter, something the Astros need. The revolving door after the #3 pitcher is a cause of concern, and the reason this article is being written.

Plus, if Tyler White can’t seem to hit, maybe the Astros can transition Zack Greinke into the new Old-Dog-Ohtani and be our DH, while Tyler White transitions into the New-Age-Rick Ankiel and pitches out of the bullpen.

No? That’s dumb? Yea. You’re probably right.

https://twitter.com/FOXSPORTSAZ/status/1143342950534930433

Greinke is hitting .284 with 3 home runs and six RBIs.
White is hitting .212 with 3 home runs and 15 RBIs.

(Insert “Think About It” meme here)

Marcus Stroman: Toronto – Right-Handed Starting Pitcher

The final name on this list is the name I really, desperately, emphatically want the Astros to pursue.

Stroman rolls with a 2-Seam Fastball that he uses to get a ton of ground outs. It tops out at 93 MPH and also spins at a 2,356 RPM rate. He also uses a slider, cutter, and changeup to keep hitters off balanced and drive the ball into the dirt. His average exit velocity is 88 MPH, something the Astros brass likes to find in pitchers.

He reminds me so much of Dallas Keuchel circa 2017, in the sense of keeping the ball on the ground and in the ballpark. He has only given up ten home runs over 104 innings pitched this year.

His strikeouts are low, but again, he is known more as a groundball pitcher. Something Charlie Morton was known for before coming to Houston. Fans saw how that strikeout total began to rise while Uncle Charlie was here.

At 28 years old, his final contract is up after next season and he is only due $7 million this year. He is wanting to sign long term, and what better player to sign long term than a cheap ground ball pitcher?

During his five year career, he has a 3.81 ERA and has proven to go 200+ innings every season, save last year due to injury.

His only flaw is his ability to not get out left-handed batters, as lefties have feasted on Stroman to the tune of a .277 average. With runners in scoring position, he has given up a higher average of hits (.299 average), however, that could be due to the lack of defensive ability behind him. The Toronto Blue Jays are in a huge rookie campaign.

The package to pry him away from Toronto would be minimal too. Considering he would be tagged as a “rental”, due to this being the last year of his contract. It’s a win-win situation for the Astros to pull this trigger. You could get away with not even giving up your top 3 prospects.