Now that we're done with the GCL Astros offensively, let's turn our withering gaze to the pitching staff, beginning - appropriately, I think - with the Starting Pitchers.
The Astros had the second-youngest pitching staff in all the GCL (.2 years older than the Rays' GCL team), and perhaps as a result gave up the most runs per game at 6.57 (1.48 runs/game higher than the 2nd-worst). Because of that, the GCL Astros had the worst ERA (4.87) and WHIP (1.53) in the league. But enough of that.
Juan Minaya
How did he get here?: Signed contract prior to 2009 season
Stats: 6'4", 185 lbs, Throws: Right
Age as of April 1, 2010: 19
On the season: 3-3, 4.27 ERA/1.20 WHIP, 30K:18BB, .231 against, 1HR
Splits:
vs. LHB (9.2IP): 4.66 ERA/1.65 WHIP, 5K:7BB, .268 BAA, 0HR
vs. RHB (43IP): 4.19 ERA/1.05 WHIP, 25K:11BB, .221 BAA, 1HR
Home (22.2IP): 5.96 ERA/1.37 WHIP, 12K:5BB, .289 BAA, 1HR
Away (30IP): 3.00 ERA/1.07 WHIP, 18K:13BB, .181 BAA, 0HR
Bases Empty (27IP): 0.33 ERA/1.15 WHIP, 22K:9BB, .204 BAA, 1HR
Runners on (25.2IP): 8.42 ERA/1.25 WHIP, 8K:9BB, .264 BAA, 0HR
w/RISP (14IP): 14.79 ERA/1.29 WHIP, 4K:6BB, .245 BAA, 0HR
June (1 start, 4IP): 2.25 ERA/0.50 WHIP, 0K:1BB
July (6 starts, 26IP): 2.08 ERA/1.08 WHIP, 15K:10BB
August (5 starts, 22.2IP): 7.15 ERA/1.46 WHIP, 15K:7BB
K/9 Rate: 5.1
BB/9 Rate: 3.1
Groundout/Flyout Rate: 2.54
K:BB Ratio: 1.67
Similar to what we saw with many of the batters in the GCL, Minaya just got tuckered out and faded in the last month of the season, posting a 2.08 ERA in July and a 7.15 ERA in August. Those home/away splits are a little alarming, but Minaya didn't strike a whole lot of guys out, he sure did keep the ball on the ground, and his BAA against righties was a nice little .221. Aside from Tanner Bushue, whose season came to an end after five starts, Minaya posted the lowest WHIP among SPs with 5+ starts.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
