Who is the Astros’ MiLB Cy Young of 2017?
Last season we saw some great performances in the Astros system with Martes, Rodgers, Armenteros and many more having great years. 2017 also saw some great pitching performances, and just like the breakout prospect article, y’all will have the opportunity to vote on the Astros MiLB Cy Young. I also used a 90+ MiLB innings as the qualifier.
Let’s get to the list!
Rogelio Armenteros, RHP
One of the breakout prospects in 2016, Armenteros has had another stellar season. He started the year out in Corpus Christ and made quick work of Double-A posting a 1.93 ERA with 74 K in 65.1 innings. He was promoted to Triple-A where he went 8-1 with a 2.16 ERA and 72 K in 58.1 innings over 10 starts. Armenteros continues to get over-looked in the Astros system but his career line now in AA and AAA is 42 BB/159 K in 142.0 IP with a 2.03 ERA. He should see Houston sometime next year.
2017 Stats: 10-4, 2.04 ERA, 123.2 IP, 91 H, 28 ER, 38 BB/146 K, 10.6 K/9
Forrest Whitley, RHP
Whitley was the Astros first round pick in 2016 and he has rocketed through the Astros system. Whitley started the season with Quad Cities and had 67 K in 46.1 innings with a 2.91 ERA. He was promoted to High-A Buies Creek where he had a 3.16 ERA and 50 K in 31.1 IP. He finished with Corpus Christi posting a 1.84 ERA over 4 outings with 4 BB/26 K in 14.2 innings. Whitley has established himself as one of the best pitching prospects in baseball.
2017 Stats: 5-4, 2.83 ERA, 92.1 IP, 78 H, 29 ER, 34 BB, 143 K, 13.9 K/9, 4.2 K/BB
Carson LaRue, RHP
LaRue was the Astros 14th round selection in 2016. This season he was one of the more dominating pitchers for Quad Cities going 12-4 with a 2.86 ERA and allowing just 76 hits in 100.2 innings. He was promoted to Buies Creek and pitched in 4 games to close out the season. Overall, he had a 3.23 ERA in 120 IP.
2017 Stats: 12-7, 3.23 ERA, 120.0 IP, 106 H, 43 ER, 30 BB, 105 K, 7.9 K/9, 3.5 K/BB
Yoanys Quiala, RHP
Quiala is another under the radar Cuban signing by the Astros. He started the season with Buies Creek and went 5-1 with a 2.31 ERA and 59 K in 58.1 innings. He was promoted to AA and had a 2.86 ERA in 50.1 innings. Overall he had a 2.57 ERA with 92 K in 108.2 innings.
2017 Stats: 9-5, 2.57 ERA, 108.2 IP, 105 H, 31 ER, 24 BB, 92 K, 7.6 K/9
Alex Winkelman, LHP
Winkelman was drafted by the Astros in the 21st round of the 2015 draft. Winkelman started the season with Buies Creek and dominated posting a 1.39 ERA with 6 BB/46 K in 32.1 IP. He was then promoted to Corpus Christi where he had some ups and downs. He finished with a 4.04 ERA in AA with 64 K in 71.1 innings. Overall he averaged over a strikeout per inning and had a 3.21 ERA between two levels.
2017 Stats: 4-7, 3.21 ERA, 103.2 IP, 107 H, 37 ER, 35 BB/110 K, 9.5 K/9
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**Photo Credit: Kiel Maddox/Fresno Grizzlies**
