As the calendar flips to September, the Astros find themselves in the thick of a playoff push and in need of contributions, both offensively and pitching, wherever they can find them. While veterans will shoulder much of the load, Houston also has a few intriguing prospects who could provide a spark down the stretch.
Miguel Ullola, RHP
Coming into the season, it wouldn’t have been a surprise if Ullola had already broken through with the big-league club. The right-hander has put up dominant numbers throughout his minor league career and looked poised to make an impact in 2025. Command issues have slowed his rise this year, but he reminded everyone of his potential with his best outing yet, six scoreless innings with just one walk and five strikeouts. Featuring a mid-90s fastball that misses plenty of bats, Ullola could be an intriguing bullpen option for Houston as they gear up for the stretch run. He would have to be added to the 40-man roster.
Pedro León, OF
Leon has gotten a brief look in Houston but hasn’t had enough opportunities to settle in, going just 2-for-20 in limited action. The numbers don’t stand out yet, but his power potential makes him an interesting candidate to spark an Astros offense that needs some help. In Triple-A, Leon has shown why he’s still on the radar, and now that he’s healthy he’s hitting well in Sugar Land. While there’s some risk in giving him more at-bats, his ability to drive the ball could make him a worthwhile option if Houston is looking for a jolt down the stretch.
AJ Blubaugh, RHP
Blubaugh has already gotten a taste of the big leagues, logging two appearances in which he struck out 11 over 9 innings while allowing 4 earned runs. His second outing was especially impressive, as he fanned five across five innings while flashing a fastball that touched 98 mph. Back in Triple-A, he’s continued to dominate, giving up just one run over 10 innings with 11 more strikeouts. Whether the Astros deploy him as a starter or reliever remains to be seen, but his early big-league flashes combined with his strong Triple-A performance make him a prime candidate to help Houston down the stretch.
Zach Cole, OF
This one might be more of a long shot, but if the Astros wanted to take a gamble on some lightning in a bottle, Cole could be the guy. While swing-and-miss has been an issue, he’s shown the ability to get scorching hot at the plate. In 79 games with Corpus Christi, he’s posted 14 home runs, 15 stolen bases, and an .858 OPS, and he’s been even better lately, hitting .329 over his last 20 games, including a .339 mark in August. With a blend of power and speed, Cole has the tools to change a game. It’s a risky play, but if he gets hot at the right time, he could give Houston an unexpected boost in September.
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