With the season over, we can start to look at the overall performances of the prospects. There were some strong pitching performances this year so to make it a little more fun, I will list the performances and give the reader the opportunity to vote. Below are the best pitching numbers in the Astros system for 2024. Be sure to VOTE!
Ryan Gusto
Gusto, an 11th round pick from 2019, put together the best season of his career to this point. He set the Sugar Land record with 141 strikeouts while posting a 3.70 ERA. He was even better from June to the end of the season posting a 2.08 ERA with 98 K in 108 innings for Triple-A Sugar Land.
2024 Stats: 29 G, 3.70 ERA, 148.1 IP, 135 H, 61 ER, 53 BB, 141 K, 8.6 K/9
A.J. Blubaugh
Blubaugh made one start in Double-A this year before earning a promotion to Triple-A and he never looked back. He was a steady starter for the Triple-A champs posting a 3.71 ERA with 133 strikeouts in 128.2 innings this season. He should get a chance to pitch in Houston in 2025.
2024 Stats: 28 G, 3.71 ERA, 128.2 IP, 119 H, 51 ER, 51 BB, 133 K, 9.3 K/9
Miguel Ullola
Ullola is one of the higher potential pitching prospects in the system, and he showed that this season. The right-hander led the Astros systems in strikeouts racking up 171 in just 130.1 innings, including a couple starts in Triple-A. While the ERA and walks were a bit high, he was nearly unhittable allowing just a .162 BAA.
2024 Stats: 28 G, 4.28 ERA, 130.1 IP, 74 H, 62 ER, 77 BB, 171 K, 11.8 K/9
Joey Mancini
Mancini kind of flew under the radar but was one of the best pitchers in the system. He started the year in High-A and posted a 2.73 ERA earning a promotion to Double-A. For the Hooks, the right-hander had a 1.88 ERA giving him a 2.12 ERA with 107 strikeouts in 106.1 innings overall.
2024 Stats: 27 G, 2.12 ERA, 106.1 IP, 73 H, 25 ER, 44 BB, 107 K, .194 BAA
Ethan Pecko
Pecko, the Astros 6th round pick in 2023, was named the Astros pitcher of the year. The right-hander, who just turned 22-years-old, struck out 125 batters in 96 innings while posting a 3.47 ERA. He finished strong too, with a 2.36 ERA and 28 K in 26.2 innings in Double-A.
2024 Stats: 26 G, 3.47 ERA, 96.0 IP, 79 H, 37 ER, 37 BB, 125 K, 11.7 K/9
James Hicks
Hicks was another 2023 draft pick who had a strong 2024 season. The right-hander posted a 3.82 ERA and struck out 115 batters over 106 innings. While just his first full season, he made it up to Double-A and posted one of the better strikeout to walks ratios in the system with 3.97 strikeouts per walk.
2024 Stats: 25 G, 3.82 ERA, 106.0 IP, 115 H, 45 ER, 29 BB, 115 K, 9.8 K/9
Colton Gordon
Gordon followed up a strong 2023 season with an improvement in 2024. The left-hander pitched the full season in Triple-A racking up 124 strikeouts in 123.1 innings with a 3.94 ERA. The 25-year-old was the third of the three headed monster with Gusto and Blubaugh.
2024 Stats: 25 G, 3.94 ERA, 123.1 IP, 112 H, 54 ER, 39 BB, 124 K, 9.0 K/9
Jackson Nezuh
Nezuh was the Astros 14th round pick in 2023 but it’s looking like an absolute steal. The right-hander pitched across two levels this year and racked up 151 strikeouts over 120.1 innings with a 3.89 ERA. This included a 3.05 ERA over his final 21 outings.
2024 Stats: 27 G, 3.89 ERA, 120.1 IP, 95 H, 52 ER, 48 BB, 151 K, 11.3 K/9
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