Regardless if a team is tanking, they still have to be able to select the right talent. The Astros did just that in 2012.
After finishing the season with a 56–106 record in 2011, the Astros secured the No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 MLB Draft. They used it to select shortstop Carlos Correa. Because Correa signed for below slot value, Houston had enough flexibility to also land a high-upside arm with the 41st pick, selecting right-hander Lance McCullers Jr.—a compensatory pick they received after Clint Barmes signed with the Pirates the previous offseason.
After drafting Lance, there was still some concern on if the Astros would even be able to sign him away from his commitment to the University of Florida. The Astros eventually signed McCullers for $2.5 million, which ranked as the 12th highest bonus in the draft and easily the highest of all the supplemental picks.
After the draft, McCullers began his professional career with the Gulf Coast League Astros, where he struck out 12 batters over 11 innings. He was then promoted to the Rookie-level Greeneville Astros, recording 17 strikeouts in 15 innings. Heading into the 2013 season, Baseball America ranked McCullers as the No. 50 prospect in all of baseball.
The 2013 season was a strong one for 19-year-old Lance McCullers. He spent the year with Single-A Quad Cities, racking up 117 strikeouts over 104.2 innings. His performance earned him the No. 52 spot on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 Prospects list.
However, 2014 proved to be more challenging. McCullers pitched for High-A Lancaster, a notoriously hitter-friendly environment, and his stats reflected the difficulty. He posted a 5.47 ERA over 25 games, which led to him falling off most top prospect rankings.
McCullers came into the 2015 season ready to make an impact—and he did just that. Starting the year with Double-A Corpus Christi, he dominated out of the gate, posting a 0.56 ERA and striking out 48 batters over 32 innings in his first seven appearances.
His performance earned him a call-up to the Astros on May 18, 2015. McCullers made an immediate impression in his rookie season, finishing with a 3.22 ERA and 129 strikeouts over 125.2 innings. He also made a postseason start against the Royals at Minute Maid Park, allowing just two runs over 6.1 strong innings. His fiery presence on the mound and passion for the game quickly made him a fan favorite in Houston.
This was also boosted by his famous quote.. “Bury me in the H”
Over the next couple of seasons, McCullers would win 13 games in 36 starts and sent the Astros to the World Series after shutting down the Yankees in game seven with 24 straight curveballs. He then delivered an RBI groundout in game 7 of the World Series and helped the Astros win their first World Series title in franchise history in 2017.
McCullers was having a solid 2018 season, posting a 3.86 ERA before landing on the injured list on August 5 with elbow discomfort. He made a brief return later in the year, pitching a few games out of the bullpen, but ultimately underwent Tommy John surgery in November 2018.
The procedure sidelined him for the entire 2019 season. McCullers returned in the shortened 2020 campaign and made 11 starts, finishing with a 3.93 ERA as he worked his way back into form.
Prior to the 2021 season, McCullers and the Astros agreed on a 5 year, $85 million contract extension. In return, McCullers produced his best professional season in 2021 posting a 3.16 ERA and striking out 185 batters over 162.1 innings and finishing 7th in the AL Cy Young voting. Unfortunately, McCullers was removed from a playoff game against the White Sox due to a right forearm injury.
Ahead of the 2022 season, McCullers was diagnosed with a right flexor tendon strain, delaying his return to the mound. He didn’t make his season debut until August but impressed immediately, posting a 2.27 ERA over eight starts. In the postseason, he delivered six scoreless innings in the epic 18-inning shutout win over the Mariners in the ALDS. The Astros went on to win the 2022 World Series, capping off a triumphant return for McCullers.
In 2023, McCullers had more injury concerns as he developed a muscle strain in his right arm. After being shutdown for a while, he eventually had season ending surgery to repair the flexor tendon in his right arm. The hope was that McCullers would be back for 2024 but after a few setbacks, he was shut down for the full 2024 season as well.
Entering the 2025 season, the Astros were cautiously optimistic about Lance McCullers Jr.’s return to the rotation. Aware he wouldn’t be ready for Opening Day, they took a patient approach with his recovery. After completing four minor league rehab starts, McCullers has officially been activated and is set to make his return with a start against the White Sox.
It has been quite the journey over his 13 years in the Astros organization. From dominating as a rookie in the playoffs to winning two World Series Championships, McCullers has embraced the city of Houston and has literally given everything he has in his right arm to help the Houston Astros.
Welcome back, Lance!
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