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 starting 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
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
Migul 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
THE REST OF THE PACK
Nic Swanson
Swanson was drafted but the Astros in the 16th round of 2021. Despite spending the majority of the season in hitter friendly Asheville, he was solid striking out 118 over 111.1 innings with a 4.85 ERA overall. He should get a chance to start in Corpus Christi in 2025.
2024 Stats: 26 G, 4.85 ERA, 111.1 IP, 98 H, 60 ER, 48 BB, 118 K, 9.5 K.9
Aaron Brown
In that same 2021 draft, thee Astros took Brown in the 9th round. Brown started in Double-A and posted a 4.50 ERA with 111 strikeouts in 92 games. He finished the season in Triple-A starting five games, but had a 5.32 ERA. Overall, he had 126 strikeouts in 114 innings in 2024.
2024 Stats: 27 G, 4.66 ERA, 114.0 IP, 124 H, 59 ER, 34 BB, 126 K, 9.9 K/9
Trey Dombroski
After a strong 2023, Dombroski had some struggles in 2024. He started the year in High-A and had a 5.70 ERA with 83 strikeouts in 71 innings. He was promoted to AA where he struck out 29 in 26.2 innings but had a 6.41 ERA. Overall, the BB/SO looked good but he allowed 121 hits in 97.2 innings.
2024 Stats: 25 G, 5.90 ERA, 97.2 IP, 121 H, 64 ER, 32 BB, 112 K, 10.3 K/9
Alain Pena
Pena made his full season debut in 2024 and had a solid year. He started in Fayetteville and had a 3.42 ERA with 83 K in 79 innings. He was promoted to Asheville where he had a 6.11 ERA over 5 outings. Overall, he had 105 K in 96.2 innings at just 21 years old.
2024 Stats: 24 G, 3.91 ERA, 96.2 IP, 92 H, 42 ER, 35 BB, 105 K, 9.8 K/9
Tyler Guilfoil
Guilfoil was an 8th round pick in 2022 and showed some good things this year. He spent thee full season in Double-A and posted a 4.81 ERA with 107 strikeouts in 118 innings. He has been converted from relief so 2024 was the most innings he has pitched in his career.
2024 Stats: 27 G, 4.81 ERA, 118.0 IP, 106 H, 63 ER, 54 BB, 107 K
2025 OUTLOOK/CONCLUSION
The Astros have built a nice depth of solid arms that should get a chance next year in Gusto, Blubaugh, Gordon and Ullola. Brown found some high strikeout guys recently like Ethan Pecko and Jackson Nezuh. One of their soon to be top prospects might be Ryan Forcucci who was drafted in the 3rd round this summer. Overall, they got a decent amount of arms ready to soak up some major league innings.
Be sure to subscribe to receive weekly updates on the Astros minor league system. Also be sure to follow on Twitter, @AstrosFuture, and like my Facebook page, facebook.com/AstrosFuture.
