4 years agoThe Houston Astros go into the 2021 season with a starting rotation of exciting young arms. Right-hander Jose Urquidy, while young, carries the least amount of excitement of the group. After making a solid Major League debut in 2019 with a 3.95 ERA and 1.10 WHIP in 41 innings (nine appearances, seven starts), Urquidy made five starts in 2020 after missing most of the season following a positive COVID-19 diagnosis. In his five starts, Urquidy totaled 29 2/3 innings with a 2.73 ERA and 1.01 WHIP, suggesting he was settling in as a potential star going forward. The underlying numbers don't back this up, however. Last year's sub-3.00 ERA was in spite of a 5.41 SIERA and 5.36 xFIP, while Urquidy only had a 14.7% strikeout rate. His full body of work in the majors, while small, is solid enough but lacks upside in fantasy. A total of 57 strikeouts in 70 2/3 innings is below average, and while his 3.44 career ERA is impressive, his 4.56 SIERA and 4.74 xFIP makes it unlikely that he can keep up a sub-4.00 ERA over a full season. The projection models actually have Urquidy with an ERA north of 4.50. With a current ADP of around 215, Urquidy will need to either increase his strikeouts or defy his projections and put up an ERA around 4.00 if he's to provide positive value in 2021.--Jamie Steed - RotoBaller