The Houston Astros, with seven consecutive American League Championship Series appearances, have established themselves as one of the most experienced and veteran-heavy teams in Major League Baseball. As they aim for another World Series run in 2024, it’s no surprise that they aren’t relying heavily on younger players this season.
While the Astros are not considered an aging team, only three of their players—Jon Singleton, Jose Altuve, and Alex Bregman—who qualify for leaderboard statistics are in their 30s. However, the team’s pitching staff tells a different story, with nine key pitchers already in their 30s. Despite this reliance on veteran arms, Houston is fortunate to have some promising young pitchers emerging to support their rotation.
In a recent compilation by Joel Reuter for Bleacher Report, which ranked the top rookies in baseball for 2024, the Astros did not have any players in the top 25. However, two of their young pitchers earned honorable mentions.
One of these pitchers is Spencer Arrighetti, a starting pitcher who has made 24 starts for Astros manager Joe Espada this season. Arrighetti has posted a 7-11 record with a 4.63 ERA. Despite a slow start to the season, Arrighetti has found his rhythm in recent weeks. In August, he made five starts, emerging as a key member of the pitching staff. Over 32.1 innings, he allowed just 19 hits and 10 walks, surrendering only seven earned runs. This translates to a remarkable 1.95 ERA, complemented by 47 strikeouts—a dramatic turnaround from his earlier performance in the season.
Joining Arrighetti on Reuter’s list is relief pitcher Bryan King, who made his Major League debut on July 23rd. Since his call-up from Triple-A Sugar Land, King has been outstanding. He posted a 1.87 ERA over 33.2 innings in the Minor Leagues and has continued that dominance in the Majors, recording a 2.05 ERA through his first 22 innings.
King’s addition bolsters an already strong bullpen, giving Espada another reliable option in late-game situations. The Astros’ bullpen is one of the best in the league, with their top five relievers all boasting ERAs of 3.78 or lower.
Former Astros outfielder Joey Loperfido also received an honorable mention on Reuter’s list. Loperfido was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays before the trade deadline in a deal that brought Yusei Kikuchi to Houston.
