Houston Astros: Collin McHugh’s relentless battle for a starting spot
The Houston Astros have a familiar face that hasn’t been on the mound for quite some time, albeit brief stints within last season’s successful postseason run, ending with a World Series championship. Collin McHugh is back in the fold and he’s on a mission to avenge his injuries issues that he had last season. Let’s examine this further.
For the Houston Astros, it has been a lot more highs these days than lows and that’s what winning does — it’s cure-all to get franchises as well as their fans out of the doldrums. It’s still hard to believe that this team is a defending champ and I have to continuously pinch myself to ensure that this isn’t all a dream.
But you know what? It’s true and the Houston Astros are actually better than last season with the tremendous amount of depth that they have in tow. I’d like to talk about some of that depth and the person who certainly fits the bill is Collin McHugh.
For a guy who spent 3 1/2 months on the shelf with a dead pitching arm, I know his recovery was likely one of the most difficult experiences in his life. Continuously throughout last season, I’d be checking for updates and none of them were encouraging until toward the end of the season. Those earlier rehab starts he had were tough to stomach and it had me wonder if he could get back to the 19-win pitcher that he was back in 2015. He was getting lit up by minor-leaguers like a Christmas tree.
But then came the postseason. He appeared in spots but his pitching performance in Game 3 of the ALCS was remarkable where he tossed three strikeouts, walked one, not allowing a hit while playing four dominant shut-out ball innings.
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Now his performance in the World Series when he appeared for two innings in Game 5 was not as
notable, allowing three earned runs, one hit as well as a homer but he still tossed four strikeouts, indicating that he still can be effective when he gets into a jam.
His performance in yesterday’s Spring Training game affirms it — he’s on a relentless mission to win a roster spot and I honestly think he will. In a 6-1 win over the Atlanta Braves, he struck out five as well as allowing one hit and walk through two innings where not a single batter could score off of him.
He threw 22 out of 30 strikes as well. Brian McTaggart of MLB.com wrote that his fastball command was good and he effectively worked his changeup, curveball and slider.
We’re about to see vintage McHugh out there and I certainly hope it sticks. With the starting rotation likely going be Justin Verlander, Dallas Keuchel, Gerrit Cole and Charlie Morton, the 5th-spot in the rotation is up for grabs.
Next: What the Astros plan to do with Yuli Gurriel
Although I think being the bullpen will help with his health and longevity, I know he feels in his heart that he should be a starter. He may very well get his wish, depending on how the rest of his Spring Training shakes out.
We’ll have to see — go Astros.