PROSPECT: A.J. Blubaugh, RHP, Houston Astros
ERIC CROSS' LATEST PROSPECT RANKING: N/A
CALL-UP ETA: 2025
ANALYSIS: Houston Astros' No. 8 prospect A.J. Blubaugh has pitched well in the minors since being drafted in the seventh round of the 2022 MLB Draft. That has helped him move up the Astros' minor league system fairly quickly.
In 2022, Blubaugh finished with a combined 4.34 ERA and 24 strikeouts in six appearances (three starts) across rookie ball and Single-A. Last year he saw a mixture of starts and bullpen appearances. He saw 22 appearances (nine starts) at High-A, where he had a combined 4.94 ERA and 93 strikeouts. The 23-year-old also made four appearances (three starts) at the Double-A level later in the year.
2024, though, has been by far his best season on the mound. Blubaugh appeared in one game at Double-A to begin the year -- where he delivered four scoreless innings out of the bullpen. Then, he was promoted to Triple-A Sugar Land in early April. In eight starts there so far this season, the right-hander has a 3.16 ERA and 38 strikeouts.
A.J. Blubaugh recorded 7 strikeouts in 4 IP yesterday in Port St. Lucie. pic.twitter.com/mVxpInPGxC
— Astros Player Development (@AstrosPlayerDev) March 24, 2024
However, despite the recent success, the 23-year-old isn't necessarily worth a stash in dynasty formats. Blubaugh could still be at least a year away from being called up, and there's a chance that the Astros put him in the bullpen to start his career -- given his 18 appearances in that role over the last three minor league seasons.
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