Patrick Beverley To Be Reevaluated In A Week; Potentially Out For The Season

Patrick Beverley To Be Reevaluated In A Week; Potentially Out For The Season by Yoni Pollak

The Houston Astros did very little to improve their starting rotation this offseason. They decided to keep the guys they had and bring in some minor competition for the fifth spot in the starting rotation.

The Astros signed Roberto Hernandez, formerly known as Fausto Carmona, to a minor-league deal, and they also traded for Dan Straily this offseason. Those two, along with Sam Deduno and Asher Wojciechowski were to battle it out for the final spot in the Astros starting rotation.

The competition became a three-way battle once the Astros sent Straily to minor-league camp. As of this morning, the race appears to be down to two, with Deduno expected to become the team’s long reliever according to Evan Drellich (Houston Chronicle).

To me, this race shouldn’t even be a race. It should be Asher Wojciechowski’s job to lose and he certainly hasn’t lost it this spring. He’s earned a spot in the rotation.

After yesterday’s start, Wojciechowski now owns a 1.08 ERA in 16 2/3 innings this spring. At 26, he has much more upside and potential than Hernandez, who holds a 4.50 ERA and 4/5 K-BB ratio at the age of 34. Sure, Hernandez does have that MLB experience but that’s all that he has.

The Astros acquired Wojciechowski in a huge trade with the Blue Jays in 2012 and he’s pitched pretty well at every level. Wojciechowski is a former first round pick and holds a 3.75 career ERA in the minor leagues. He hasn’t dominated his competition but he’s proven that he could be a solid end-of-the-rotation starting pitcher.

Even at the age of 26 some prospect evaluators still put him in the top 10-15 prospects, still valuing his ability. I think it’s time to finally see what the Astros have in Wojciechowski.

Last year it was Brad Peacock‘s chance, this year it should be Wojciechowski’s.

What do you think, Astros fans?