This is true because the big leagues are simply another animal. But the bottom line is that the AAA rotation looks much better than it did this time last year. There are probably no aces among them, but several have a chance to be MOR-BOR guys. Overall I feel much better about the overall health and depth of the starting pitching 1-10 than I did entering 2024.
Our "rotation" is a patchwork quilt... I know the organization works wonders with guys, but we're relying on it too much. No margin for error now. The post Luhnow cracks are turning into fissures.
I don’t get the myth that Astros rosters were stacked 1-26 every year under Luhnow. The 2017 rotation featured: Mike Fiers Brad Peacock Charlie Morton (coming off a season lost entirely to injury, having never posted a season with more than 2.0 fwar) Lance McCullers (coming off an injury-plagued 2016 season) Dallas Keuchel (already well down from his peak season) Pitchers get hurt. The breakout and fall off. The stacked rotations with multiple hall of famers are the rare exception; the rule is even the best teams typically have 2-3 really good, proven pitchers and then guys with question marks.
Ullola could absolutely be a star. I actually think bust is most likely, star second most likely, bullpen closer type third most likely and BOR least likely.
You are being overly dramatic. Tbis rotation is going to be somewhere between fine and awesome this year and will get better in the future when some guys get a little older and Javier comes back.
Astros have had really tough injury luck the past couple of years, but at the same time they have been extremely fortunate at developing their minor league talent. They will be fine unless their they get even unluckier with injuries.
There is a chance. There is always a chance- look at Mike Scott. I see Ullola as Cristian Javier 2.0. If he can harness his control he should be a very good SP but that's a big IF, and even then, Javier is much more #2-3 than #1. #1s are just so hard to find. Aces are even harder. But a team with 5 or 6 #2-3 guys is way better than a team w/ a #1 + 5 or 6 #4-5 guys. Every pitch the SP is rolling the dice that it will be his last - maybe for 18 months, maybe forever. In 2025 a #1 is important in the post season but depth of guys who are legitimately #4 or better is crucial to get you to the post season. That's why I do not advocate paying SP $20M+ per season or committing to them long term.
Not much any more. But after 1984 the chances of him becoming a TOR SP were probably worse than Ullola's are now. FTR, Scott had a NEGATIVE 1.6 WAR season in 1984 with a NEGATIVE 1.5 in 1982 and just a 0.5 year in between. Then B O O M !
Anyone's thoughts on LHP Julio Urias. Currently 90 game Suspension Domestic violence. Should the Astros give him a chance. Julio Urias is 28 years old. Throws hard similar to Framber Valdez.
