Joining the mix
Rookie pitcher shows he belongs in discussion for 2017 rotation after 10-start sample this year
Joe Musgrove has worked his way into the 2017 rotation conversation.
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Joe Musgrove certainly isn’t guaranteed a spot in the Astros’ opening-day rotation next season.
But even ahead of a winter in which the Astros should look to upgrade their starting pitching, Musgrove has ensured himself as part of the 2017 conversation. The 23-year-old righthander made a positive impression on the team in his 10 starts as a rookie this season, finishing with four consecutive strong outings before he was shut down Friday.
“He’s definitely in the conversation,” manager A.J. Hinch said. “A lot is going to happen between now and the spring as to how our roster shakes out. But he’s done nothing but enhance his position.”
Musgrove, a potential workhorse No. 3-type starter long term for the Astros, recorded a 4.06 ERA over 62 innings in the major leagues. In seven of his starts, he yielded three runs or fewer. In the other three, he gave up eight runs, five runs and five runs.
“It was definitely a really beneficial year from a learning standpoint,” he said. “Getting a chance to get up here and kind of earn the respect of some of the guys in here and show them that I’m able to compete at this level was important to me.
“Getting out there and going through a little bit of failure and learning the adjustments I needed to make, I feel like I ended on a good note this year, a strong note at least going into the offseason. (I) know what I want to work on and (will be) ready to go for next year.” ‘High regard’
Musgrove said he learned “what weapons to use in certain situations” and which hitters in each lineup to pitch more carefully. Hinch lauded Musgrove’s preparation and the adjustments the young pitcher made between starts.
“He’s got the pitches to pitch up here in the rotation,” Hinch said. “This is the highest workload he’s had in his entire career. He’s responded well to that. I’m comfortable with him in the conversation. Obviously, you never know what additions and subtractions might be made over the offseason, but I have high regard for Joe Musgrove.”
Workload was the reason the Astros shut down Musgrove after they were eliminated from postseason contention on Thursday. His 1471⁄ innings across 3 three levels exceeded his previous career high by 392⁄ 3. He had never before pitched this late into a season.
Musgrove was understanding of the decision but also admitted he was “bummed” to not pitch this weekend. Aside from San Diego’s Petco Park, Angel Stadium is the closest ballpark to his hometown, El Cajon. Family members and friends had tickets for this weekend’s series.
Musgrove pitched seven innings of one-run ball against the Angels last Sunday at Minute Maid Park.
“I felt really good at this point in the year for it being this late and for me being in kind of unchartered territory with innings,” he said. “I felt good, and I was hoping to get one more chance to face these guys. There are some good hitters here with (Mike) Trout, (Kole) Calhoun and (Albert) Pujols, so I definitely wanted a chance to face these guys again. But I do understand where we’re at in the year with my arm and stuff.” ‘Second wind’
Musgrove admitted his arm and body are tired but also said he felt better Saturday than he did a few weeks ago.
“When I was getting in around 120 (innings), I started getting real tired and real sore and had a harder time recovering,” he said. “I got in with (athletic trainer Jeremiah Randall) and some of the trainers and got a good little program going to kind of keep me energized throughout the end of the year, and I feel pretty good now. I think I kind of caught my second wind.”
Musgrove plans to spend his offseason back in the San Diego area, where he and Astros reliever James Hoyt will share a place on the beach in Encinitas.
“We’ll get on the beach workout program and (get) back to work,” he said.
As far as next season, Musgrove understands roster spots aren’t guaranteed.
“I’m still going to have to go out there and do my job and earn the spot,” he said. “But I feel like I’ve done a lot and proven to them that I’m able to compete at this level, and they’ve kind of gotten a chance to see me compete and see what I have.
“I feel like they’re confident in me and they’re happy with where we’re at now and they’re looking forward to next season, building off that.”