Astros Spring Training: Three Pitching Prospects to Keep an Eye On

Three Astros pitching prospects to watch for in Spring Training

Pitchers and catchers have reported to Spring Training and the Astros road to a repeat is officially underway. The Astros major league team is loaded, specifically in their starting rotation and bullpen.

The cupboard is slightly more bare in the minors, but between 40-man roster members and non-roster Spring Training invitees, there are pitchers that could emerge to make an impact. After all, Cristian Javier, Luis Garcia and Jose Urquidy were rather unheralded propsects before they emerged with the big league club in 2020.

These are the Astros' three pitching prospects to keep an eye on in Spring Training.

Ronel Blanco

Ronel Blanco's name has started to pick up steam in Houston after his historic off-season. Blanco was completely unhittable in the Dominican Winter League, setting a record for consecutive scoreless innings. He's now in the pitcher's pool for Team Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic.

Blanco has toiled in the minors since 2016, but has fallen victim to the vast array of arms Houston had ahead of him. His performance has warranted a call-up, but he made only seven appearances with the big league club in 2022.

Blanco is definitely a name to keep tabs on this spring. If he gets added to the active roster for the Dominican Republic and proves his ability to get outs in the World Baseball Classic, more eyes will be opened.

Does he have a future with the Astros after all? Or might other teams come calling? Houston's bullpen is loaded headed into 2023. Blanco could be an intriguing trade piece as well. Either way, we'll have a better idea of his future in Houston in a few short weeks.

Jayden Murray

Murray may have seemed like a throw-in when Houston landed Trey Mancini at the 2022 trade deadline, but he is far from it.

In three minor league seasons, Murray has a career 2.80 ERA. IN his 51 career starts, he has a WHIP of 0.97. His 2021 season was especially eye-opening, leading the minor leagues in WHIP (0.71) and opponent batting average (.150).

The former 23rd rounder entered 2022 as the Rays #30 prospect according to Baseball America, and was named Houston's #18 in season in 2022. He possesses elite command of the strike zone and the high spin rates that Houston has become famous for. That the Astros were able to land him for a fringe roster candidate like Jose Siri is astounding.

Now, Murray was a 23rd round pick and the Rays, like Houston, are known for turning everyday arms into dominant ones. That they would part with one that possesses Murray's stats could mean expectations for Murray should be tempered. But he's well worth watching through the spring. Don't be surprised if Murray becomes the next great Astros arm that seemingly came from out of nowhere.