The Astros will select the contract of right-hander Jose Urquidy, who’ll be called up to start for them tomorrow, president of baseball operations Jeff Luhnow announced to reporters Monday (Twitter link via Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle). His promotion will require a 40-man roster move, but Houston won’t announce that transaction until tomorrow.
Urquidy, 24, wasn’t considered to be among Houston’s top tier of prospects heading into the season but has elevated his status with a solid showing in his first career action at both the Double-A and Triple-A levels. The righty missed the 2017 season due to Tommy John surgery but returned to pitch 57 1/3 innings of 2.35 ERA ball in Class-A last season. This year, he’s posted a combined 3.40 ERA with 12.2 K/9, 1.8 BB/9 and 0.94 HR/9. Urquidy is more of a fly-ball pitcher, so drawing his first MLB assignment at Coors Field isn’t necessarily ideal, but he’s been incredibly stingy with the long ball throughout his minor league career (20 homers in 297 innings).
Urquidy ranks 29th among Houston farmhands at MLB.com. Their scouting report pegs his fastball in the low 90s and topping out at 95 mph while praising a plus changeup and noting that his curveball needs some refinement. He’d have been Rule 5 eligible this offseason anyhow, so he was likely to be added to the 40-man roster one way or another between now and December. The ’Stros don’t have an obvious 60-day IL candidate at the MLB level to open a 40-man roster spot for Urquidy. The team has been carrying a pair of out-of-options players in Tyler White and Tony Kemp, and Houston also saw 40-man right-hander Dean Deetz struggle in Triple-A this year before going down with an injury in late May.
This is one of those sleeper prospects that I wanted to see come September. but itll be great to see him now
I guess they do what Tampa is doing with Ciuffo, designate, release of course because you can’t outright players on the minor league IL, then just re-sign him, Deetz in this case.
There are a couple of release waiver candidates on the Astros 40 man roster, A.J. Reed and Brady Rodgers jump out… I thought Urquidy has been working in the mid 90s with his fastball this year.
2 fan favorite prospects in recent years… Sad to see their fall.
Yes, Urquidy has been sitting 93-96 and touching 97 this season.
Probably going to move Martin to the 60 Day DL.
I saw him throw a few weeks ago and I was really impressed. For a little guy he threw pretty hard.
Time to end the Tyler White experiment…gone on for too long IMO.
Amen, watching his at bats is painful.
Watching him waddle up to the plate is painful.
He had the grand slam a week or so ago that helped, but for the most part, yeah, it’s time to move on.
That was an accidental swing that resulted in a line drive, opposite field in NY’s short right field.
I agree, but I don’t think it’ll be him. For better or worse (it’s worse), until we make another move, he’s the only real viable 1b/dh if yuli and/or yordan goes down. And by viable, I don’t mean good. I mean experienced enough to not piss himself against top competition in the playoffs.
They have AJ Reed ready to go….:p
Yes, Urquidy has been sitting 93-96 and touching 97 this season.
My guess is they’ll designate Jack Mayfield.
Not during the season. He values decent defensive depth. I bet he gets removed in the offseason when it will be easier to retain him.
This post needs to come with a poll. Who’s getting DFA’d?
My vote is Reed. I saw him play a couple times in AA and had high hopes, but he’s a replacement player unfortunately.
I’m surprised Tyler White hasn’t improved with more playing time. I just wish some combination of Reddick, Brantley, Yordan could play back up first base. With the OF glut, this offseason, one of them needs to pick up the position.
Yordan plays 1b. Could be long term home if Tucker makes the jump successfully and we keep Reddick and Springer. Pretty big ifs though
I think 2020 will be an interesting year. Reddick and Yuli have big contracts, decent production, and likely little trade value. If they play well, it gives Luhnow options.
They might just move Corbin Martin to the 60 day il for now. But Joe Smith will be returning soon so some moves are inevitable.
Tomorrow Sneed will be sent down and Corbin Martin will be recalled. Martin will then be sent to the 60-day IL freeing up a 40-man spot. Then Urquidy will be added to the 40-man and 25-man. Tyler White will still be there.
I think 2020 will be an interesting year. Reddick and Yuli have big contracts, decent production, and likely little trade value. If they play well, it gives Luhnow options.
I can’t imagine they would allow Martin to accrue service time
Urquidy isn’t even available in my ESPN or Yahoo fantasy leagues and he is starting tomorrow. They need to get on that.
MLB debut in Coors field… probably should look for better options
True, but if its a keeper league and you have a spot then its worth a $0 add
We played our long time dynasty on espn for years. This kinda thing is infuriating and so slack of them. Moved to fantrax last season, best thing ever. You could pick up his unborn son if you wanted to.
Having Homer Presley make the all star team is a slap in the face to Will Harris. Apparently they don’t look at era or blown saves.
How desperate? We can’t dfa a 1st baseman hitting .220 because we don’t have a viable replacement. we have to activate a pitcher ranked 29th in our system because we don’t have a viable 5th pitcher.
Good thing we saved that money on Keuchel and Morton!!!
I’d like to see Joshua Rojas from CC Hooks get a call up. Could play 1st or third. Hitting .322 with 8 hrs and 30 rbi or Abram Toro hitting .283 with 13 hrs and 55 rbi. I like White, but striking out way too much with RISB.