With the season is over we will review each position in the minor league system during the 2024 season. This week we will look at the relief pitching position. I will focus on players who played majority of their games at this position, though they could end up on multiple lists.
Previous Position Reviews:
TOP PERFORMERS
Logan VanWey
VanWey was signed as an undrafted fre agent following the 2022 draft. VanWey made a quick rise to Triple-A this year, and was dominant in the Sugar Land bullpen. Over 72.2 innings, he posted a 3.22 ERA and racked up 98 strikeouts. VanWey looks like a pitcher who will be ready for a call-up in 2025.
2024 Stats: 60 G, 3.22 ERA, 72.2 IP, 59 H, 26 ER, 40 BB, 98 K, 12.1 K/9
Forrest Whitley
Whitley put together his best season as a professional since his breakout year in 2017. In 2024, the right-hander pitched the majority of the season in Triple-A and there he had a 1.89 ERA with 45 strikeouts in 33.1 innings. He was called up and pitched in 3 games in Houston and struck out 5 over 3.1 innings. He looks to be in the Astros bullpen in 2024.
2024 Stats: 33 G, 2.12 ERA, 34.0 IP, 27 H, 8 ER, 17 BB, 46 K, 12.2 K/9
Ray Gaither
Gaither is another undrafted free agent find for the Astros. After a good 2023 season, he followed that up with another strong year in 2024. Over 51 games, the right-hander posted a 3.13 ERA and struck out 62 over 63.1 innings. He was one of many pitchers in a dominant Sugar Land bullpen.
2024 Stats: 51 G, 3.13 ERA, 63.1 IP, 57 H, 22 ER, 35 BB, 62 K, 8.8 K/9
Alejandro Torres
Another undrafted free agent… sound like a broken record. Torres was signed following the 2023 draft. In 2024, pitched in High-A and Double-A and posted a 2.91 ERA with 61 strikeouts in 52.2 innings. He also allowed just 31 hits, good for .168 batting average against. Looks like a steal for the Astros.
2024 Stats: 39 G, 2.91 ERA, 52.2 IP, 31 H, 17 ER, 24 BB, 61 K, 10.4 K/9
Wilmy Sanchez
This was Sanchez’s third season in the system, but first season in full-season ball. He started the year in Fayetteville and had a 3.82 ERA with 56 K in 37.2 innings. He was promoted to Asheville where he was even better posting a 2.76 ERA with 26 K in 16.1 innings. Sanchez will be 21 for the 2025 season and could be a sleeper to watch.
2024 Stats: 32 G, 3.50 ERA, 54.0 IP, 49 H, 21 ER, 34 BB, 82 K, 13.7 K/9
Railin Perez
Perez was picked up by the Astros in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 Draft last year. He pitched the majority of the season in Asheville and struck out 62 over 52.2 innings with a 3.42 ERA. Perez made two appearances in Corpus Christi and was 22 years old for the majority of the 2024 season.
2024 Stats: 39 G, 3.81 ERA, 54.1 IP, 45 H, 23 ER, 36 BB, 63 K, 10.4 K/9
Hudson Leach
Leach was signed as an undrafted free agent following the 2023 draft. In 2024, Leach pitched across three different levels (rookie, Single-A, High-A) and was solid posting a 3.26 ERA. He also racked up 49 strikeouts in 38.2 innings. He had some walk issues, but showed enough that he will be back for 2025.
2024 Stats: 27 G, 3.26 ERA, 38.2 IP, 24 H, 14 ER, 31 BB, 49 K, 11.4 K/9
THE REST OF THE PACK
Abel Mercedes
Mercedes was an interesting one in 2024. He is one of the hardest throwers in the system hitting over 100 MPH multiple times. He is also unhittable, allowing just 21 hits in 45.1 innings. The downside was the 55 walks in 45.1 innings. If he can get his control to another level, he can be elite in the pen.
2024 Stats: 40 G, 5.16 ERA, 45.1 IP, 21 H, 26 ER, 55 BB, 74 K, 14.7 K.9
Amilcar Chirinos
Chirinos has been in the system for four years but had a nice 2024 season for the Woodpeckers. The right-hander posted a 4.15 ERA with 39 strikeouts in 34.2 innings. Even better, is he only walked 10 batters. The 23-year-old should be in Asheville for the 2025 season.
2024 Stats: 24 G, 4.15 ERA, 34.2 IP, 31 H, 16 ER, 10 BB, 39 K, 10.1 K/9
2025 OUTLOOK/CONCLUSION
The bullpen is also tricky to project because some starters will transition into relief role, but the Astros have a few guys they can look at for innings next year in Whitley and VanWey. They have a solid bullpen as is, but will also have the need for arms to soak up some innings in a long season.
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