Astros dealing with painful reality as former top prospect excels overseas

We're rapidly approaching the point where the Houston Astros' early-season woes could reach emergency proportions. They may, in fact, be there already. Losing so games this early in the season is one thing, but the Astros' issues seem systemic given how many arms they've already lost to injuries. Unfortunately, one of their biggest player developmental failures could make things look even worse.

Astros fans are well aware of Forrest Whitley's story. The former top prospect was thought by many to become a frontline starter in Houston, but injuries and a drug suspension derailed his career with the Astros. Houston gave him a bunch of chances, but the decision was ultimately made last season to designate Whitley for assignment and trade him to the Tampa Bay Rays.

The Rays also gave up on Whitley and released him so he could go play in Japan. That would not be the last we heard from him, however. In fact, given how well he is playing overseas, it is fair to wonder what the Astros (and Rays) missed with him.

Astros' painful rotation reality just got worse with Forrest Whitley dominating overseas

Whitley looks like the pitcher Houston hoped he would eventually become. That has to be a deeply painful sight for the Astros' brass who may've let him go a year too soon. It is a very small sample at the moment, but Whitley's 2.45 ERA across his first four starts in NPB is extremely promising when you consider his advanced metrics as well.

Many may be quick to blame the Astros for moving on from Whitley, robbing some of their pitching depth that would be terrific to have right now. Perhaps there is some truth to that, especially if Houston's teaching resulted in Whitley's injuries. The more logical explanation, however, is that the Astros were as patient as they could be and Whitley just couldn't figure out how to stay on the mound.

Given that the Astros gave Whitley eight-plus seasons to prove himself, it wasn't unreasonable to move on. The Rays are knonwn as a smart team, and they too decided Whitley wasn't worth keeping around. It may seem like a mistake in hindsight, especially with how dreadful the Astros' pitching staff is at the moment. But this is more unlucky than the product of neglect. Unfortunately, that probably doesn't make Houston fans feel any better about it.

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