Series: Houston Astros Top 5 Starting Pitcher Lottery Tickets
By Mac Wolff
Feb 21, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Houston Astros pitcher Nick Tropeano (69) poses for a picture during photo day at Osceola County Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
The player in the Astros’ system with undoubtedly the best nickname, NiTro, comes in at number four.
NiTro has two above average pitches and one is a devastating changeup. That right there is what makes me like him so much. A starting pitcher with an above average change-up is becoming a rare sight these days but when you get to watch one (especially against the Astros swing happy lineup), it is an impressive sight.
He spent 2013 at DoubleA Corpus Christi and had another solid season to follow up his strong 2012 campaign. In 2012 he led the Astros in strike outs with 184 and this past year he notched 130 Ks in 133 innings and only walked 39. His ERA sat at 4.11 but his Fielder Independent Pitching ERA was 3.66 meaning that he pitched better than his defense would allow.
Nick has spent 3 years in the system and has proven himself on each level that he has faced. He is expected to be in Oklahoma City with the Astros Triple-A team at some point this season.