New Faces To Pitch For Astros

Let's face it: the Astros' late season mojo isn't probably isn't going to come through. The team has been flirting with .500 like a nervous guy at last call, and will probably watch either the Cards or Cubs go home with their date to the playoffs. But that doesn't mean that you should stop watching and wait for football season to start.

Fortunately for the long-term future of the team, several talented minor league pitchers are ready for a shot at the big leagues. So read on, so that when your friends are just as confused as Milo Hamilton about who's pitching this week, you'll be in the know.

Bud Norris - The guy who was actually, truly nicknamed for his dad's favorite cheap American beer has already started one game for the Stros, and it was a beaut: 5+ innings of no-hit ball against a suddenly potent Cardinals lineup, and 5 strikeouts. Norris made his reputation at Round Rock as a hard thrower (95+ mph fastball) with a plus curveball; a decent changeup gives him the third weapon he needs to be a starter. His long-term future may be as a closer, though.

Yorman Bazardo - Not called up yet because if he does make the major league team this year, they can't send him back to AAA without him clearing waivers. For more info on why this is the case, read another site that's more boring. Bazardo's been Round Rock's ace all year, going 9-5 with a 2.94 ERA and a microscopic 1.11 WHIP. Probably has the most rotation potential of the three, but the team doesn't want to bring him up too soon.

Sammy Gervacio - He's been an overachiever for most of his minor league career, and only projects to be a back-of-rotation starter at best. But he's going to get a shot because A) he's available and B) he can also come out of the bullpen if needed. He was called up last week, but got sent back down before having a chance to play.

Felipe Paulino - Paulino has been up and down all year, and Cecil Cooper still hasn't figured out how he wants to use the youngster. He's started 10 games already, but Coop has shown little patience with the kid, pulling him in favor of the bullpen without giving him the chance to show resilience and work out of jams. He has the most developed repertoire of pitches of any of the kids. He starts tonight against the Giants.

With Roy Oswalt hurt, Mike Hampton hit-or-disastrous miss, and Wandy Rodriguez possibly ailing, you'll see a lot of these guys between now and the end of the season. If they play well now, you'll likely see even more of them in 2010.
---
photo: flickr user sulla55