Inside the Astros

Houston Astros Pitching Prospect Continues Climb at Triple-A

Spencer Arrighetti is positioning himself to be of help to the Houston Astros, perhaps as early as later this season.

Matthew Postins

Angela Piazza/Caller-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK
In this story:

The Houston Astros have a prospect to watch in the second half in pitcher Spencer Arrighetti, according to MLB.com.

But, could Arrighetti help the Astros this season rather than next season?

It’s something to watch as the Astros continue to endure injuries to their starting rotation. The Astros have already lost Lance McCullers Jr. and Luis Garcia for the season. José Urquidy is on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Sugar Land, where Arrighetti made his latest start on Sunday.

Plus, Framber Valdez — the Astros’ best starter all season — left Saturday’s game with the Los Angeles Angels with tightness in his calf.

If the Astros don’t make an anticipated move to shore up their rotation, calling up Arrighetti — assuming he’s performing at a level that would make him useful — might be a necessity and not a luxury.

He is the Astros’ No. 9 overall prospect, per MLB.com. But he is their second-highest rated pitching prospect and the highest-rated pitching prospect at Triple-A.

His performance on Sunday with Sugar Land saw him go 4.1 innings, giving up three hits, one run (earned), while allowing three walks and striking out four. He threw 77 pitches, 50 of which were strikes.

Arrighetti started the season with Double-A Corpus Christi, where in 13 games (eight starts) he went 7-2 with a 4.15 ERA, striking out 79 and walking 23. Batters hit just .218 against him.

More From SI's Inside The Astros:

Published
Matthew Postins
MATTHEW POSTINS

Matthew Postins is an award-winning sports journalist who covers the Texas Rangers, Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros for Sports Illustrated/FanNation. He also covers he Big 12 for Heartland College Sports.

Home/News