Astros Pitching Prospect Spencer Arrighetti Called Up.The Astros’ top pitching prospect was called up to start today’s game versus Royals.
Is this the beginning of the Arrighetti Era for the Astros? That’s probably too much to suggest. I am guessing he will be returned to the Sugar Land Space Cowboys after today’s game. But who knows what to expect.
Spencer Arrighetti, a sixth round pick in 2021 out of Louisiana-Lafayette, is generally viewed as the Astros’ top pitching prospect at age 24. The MLB Pipeline ranks him as the No. 3 Astros prospect. What we do know is that he will start Wednesday’s game in Kansas City.
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After the placement of Framber Valdez on the Injured List with elbow inflammation, and less than perfect visibility regarding Framber’s future health status this season, Arrighetti could become an important addition to the Astros. The rotation has a few swiss cheese style holes. And the Astros may have to depend on its higher quality pitching prospects to help bridge the gap from time to time. The injured list now includes the following Astros’ starting pitchers: Framber Valdez, Justin Verlander, Jose Urquidy, Lance McCullers, Jr., and Luis Garcia. That injured list is a full 5 man rotation.
Here’s my understanding of where we stand. Valdez could return in a little over two weeks…or he could be on the IL for a longer period of time. For most of these pitching injury situations, a lot depends on how fast the inflammation and pain will subside, and whether the physicians identify any more significant structural issues. Justin Verlander had his first rehab start and hopefully he can return to the rotation in a few weeks, barring any setbacks. We haven’t heard much about Urquidy’s progress lately, but optimistically we can see him back with the pitching staff in a few weeks (or months?). McCullers and Garcia are recovering from arm surgery, and probably won’t return to the rotation until August or later.
This puts increased pressure on Cristian Javier, Hunter Brown, Ronel Blanco, and J.P. France to hold the rotation together in the interim. Enter Spencer Arrighetti, who will show what he can do in his debut game. Assuming reasonably good results, the Astros will have another critical piece of rotation depth.
Since this will be the debut of the Astros’ top pitching prospect, let’s get know a little more about him.
The MLB Pipeline’s scouting report on his pitch repertoire: “Arrighetti’s fastball has jumped from 89-91 mph with a peak of 94 with the Ragin’ Cajuns to 92-95 mph with a max velo of 97 in pro ball, and his four-seamer’s flat approach angle and late hop keep it off barrels. He has turned what was a ho-hum slider with tight break into a low-80s sweeper that’s now his best pitch, and he also can morph it into a harder cutter. His upper-70s curveball features good depth, he has a new grip on his mid-80s changeup that produces tumble…”
