We start in on the relievers for the GCL Astros - and first up is the reliever with the highest workload (and 2nd highest IP on the team, behind Juan Minaya) - Rafael Pio.
Rafael Pio
How did he get here?: Signed contract prior to 2006 season
Stats: 6'3", 210 lbs, Throws: Right
Age as of April 1, 2010: 22
Season line: 1-4, 43.1IP, 3.12 ERA/0.99 WHIP, 41K:10BB, .205 BAA, 1HR
Splits:
vs. LHB (10.2IP): 2.53 ERA/1.26 WHIP, 7K:3BB, .238 BAA, 1HR
vs. RHB (32.2IP): 3.31 ERA/0.92 WHIP, 34K:7BB, .193 BAA
Home (19.2IP): 4.12 ERA/1.17 WHIP, 18K:6BB, .227 BAA
Away (23.2IP): 2.28 ERA/0.85 WHIP, 23K:4BB, .186 BAA
Bases Empty (24.2IP): 0.89 WHIP, 21K:5BB, .183 BAA
Runners on (18.2IP): 1.12 WHIP, 20K:5BB, .235 BAA
w/RISP (14.2IP): 1.09 WHIP, 16K:5BB, .212 BAA
June (2 games, 6.2IP): 2.70 ERA/0.60 WHIP, 4K:2BB
July (9 games, 20.2IP): 2.61 ERA/1.02 WHIP, 24K:7BB
August (6 games, 16IP): 3.94 ERA/1.13 WHIP, 13K:1BB
K/9 Rate: 8.5
BB/9 Rate: 2.1
Groundout/Flyout Rate: 1.32
K:BB Ratio: 4.10
This is also Pio's fourth season in the Astros' organization, and his first in the States, but this was a breakout year for him. Coming off a 2008 DSL season in which he threw 49 innings with a 4.96 ERA/1.39 WHIP, Pio dropped his hits/9 (7.7 to 6.9), his walks/9 (4.8 to 2.1), and increased his K/9 (6.4 to 8.5). His command was much better, throwing just two wild pitches - compared to eight in 2008. He'll be 22 on Opening Day 2010, so he'll hopefully be in Greeneville, or even Tri-City.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
