'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAMDAwMDAwQEBAQFBQUFBQcHBgYHBwsICQgJCAsRCwwLCwwLEQ8SDw4PEg8bFRMTFRsfGhkaHyYiIiYwLTA+PlQBAwMDAwMDBAQEBAUFBQUFBwcGBgcHCwgJCAkICxELDAsLDAsRDxIPDg8SDxsVExMVGx8aGRofJiIiJjAtMD4+VP/AABEIAAYACgMBIgACEQEDEQH/xABhAAEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABggQAAICAgEFAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECAxEABAUhMUJRYQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAwURAAMAAQUBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECAxEABAUSURX/2gAMAwEAAhEDEQA/AMUcHq63LRhDNsSHanmiQTEMoRVDW1eZ9jtkg/GSl2Krr0SatATX3pjGDNm+pvZZPRCvUeZ1Y38JS4TjbogFKGgdvcHX/9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The Houston Astros improved the depth of their roster this summer as they attempted to win back-to-back championships in 2023, but the team did lose an important member of the pitching staff that was accountable for the franchise's second World Series triumph.
Justin Verlander was given a blockbuster deal by the New York Mets this offseason, which attracted the three-time Cy Young Award winner to Queens, NY.
Trending
"Astros Projected 2023 Pitching Staff" - AstrosJosh
The pitching rotation for Houston might very well once again be the best in the AL in most categories in 2023, and the team's staff is still projected to be among the best. Yet the divisional field might finally be catching up during Houston's golden era.
"Astros Hunter Brown makes the list of MLB Pipeline's Top 10 right-handed pitching prospects for 2023"
"We're in the right frame of mind to start position lists"
"With a new No. 1, here are Pipeline's Top 10 RHPs for 2023" - AstrosInfobytes
The Houston Astros have placed a strong emphasis on their minor league rookie prospects in addition to their bullpen and starting pitching rotation. After losing a well-known RHP, the administration and scouts are focusing on finding ruthless throwers from their AAA and AA teams.
The Houston Astros have a strong Pitching Unit
Lance McCullers needs to be successful with his sinker once again in order to convince the AL West heavyweights to simply forget about Verlander. Opposing hitters had a wRC+ of 269 and a.417 average against the pitch this season. His sinker averaged a career-low 93.2 mph, which is a key reason why he had severe control trouble when throwing the ball.
"Lance McCullers Jr: 94.1-mph sinker vs a filthy 85.2-mph slider with overlay" - StrosGIFs
Framber Valdez will have to resume his scintillating performances from where he left off in the 2022 season. Among all the Houston Astros starters in the postseason, Valdez has the highest strikeout rate and has allowed the fewest hits. Framber has a commanding, four-seam fastball and a nasty, moving curveball that he uses almost every time he pitches.
"Framber Valdez's curveball lands on our list of outlier pitches from the 2022 season. He relies on a rare Sinker/CB combo which resulted in a 45% Whiff Rate on the pitch" - TreadHQ
"Hunter Brown. 6-pitch strike out with mega overlay" - ApolloHOU
Hunter Brown, the top prospect for the Houston Astros, demonstrated explosive ability in his initial big-league outings last season. He now enters 2023 as the legitimate potential Rookie of the Year. If Brown ends up being Jeremy Pena's 2023 counterpart, he will likely perform brilliantly as a rookie during the regular season before making a big impact in October.
