The Stros probable fifth pitcher in their starting rotation — rookie Ezequiel Astacio — had an impressive warm-up last night at AAA Round Rock in preparation for his Major League debut next week.
Astacio gave up just one hit — a solo yak — and one walk in seven innings while whiffing five in Round Rock’s 2-1 loss to the Iowa Cubs last night. The Cubs scored the winning run in the eighth after Astacio had left the game.
Astacio is tall (6’3″), but weighs only 150 lbs., and that may be pushing it for his weight. Despite his slim build, Astacio has wicked stuff and could be a nice addition to an already imposing Stros pitching staff this season. Astacio is one of three promising young starting pitchers in the Stros’ minor league system who could see action on the Major League level soon. The other two are Wandy Rodriguez (AAA Round Rock) and Fernando Nieve (AA Corpus Christi). Nieve threw six innings of one hit, shutout ball while walking two and striking out eight in leading Corpus to its first victory in franchise history last night.