Javier emerges as vital starter
Rookie’s outing against Dodgers shows potential
PHOENIX — In conventional circumstances, Cristian Javier could be easing into an initial taste of major league life. He could admire veteran arms while absorbing their routines. Pressure for him to perform would exist, but he would not be a key to the Astros’ fate.
Javier’s remarkable minor league consistency — and the Astros’ lack of proven starting pitching depth — hinted strongly at a 2020 major league debut. During spring training, manager Dusty Baker intimated Javier was a candidate to break camp with the big league club, especially in the wake of Justin Verlander’s lat injury.
Still, Javier entered 2020 as something extra, a tantalizing prospect who seemed just on the precipice of major league readiness. Perhaps he would follow the track of Corbin Martin, who made his major league debut in May 2019 after a dominating first month in Class AAA Corpus Christi, or Jose Urquidy, whose July debut came after months of minor league seasoning.
A pandemic and a rash of injuries have transformed Javier from extra to essential. The 23-year-old Dominican righthander is expected to make his second major league start Tuesday against the Diamondbacks at Chase Field. The Astros desperately require a repeat of his first start — however unattainable that might feel.
Their rotation is in shambles, undone by another injury to Verlander and short starts from Lance McCullers Jr. and Josh James. A bullpen of nine rookies is rising to the occasion, but the team is already in danger of overtaxing them. Additionally, major league hitters will adjust after seeing the new arms two or three times, inviting questions as to how long the success can be sustained.
The 10 rookies on the Astros’ pitching staff — Javier included — have a 1.17 ERA in 38⅓ innings. For perspective, the team has thrown 87⅔ innings total through its first nine games. Veteran pitchers responsible for 13 of those innings now reside on the injured list. Austin Pruitt and Brad Peacock have yet to appear in a game, and their prognosis for the 60-game season remains unknown.
“It’s very difficult,” Baker said this past weekend of his pitching predicament. “I’m not going to lie to you.”
Length and consistency can compensate for the disheveled bullpen. James has provided neither. He has finished just three innings in each of his first two starts, forcing the bullpen into long relief. McCullers went only four innings in Friday’s start.
Javier’s outing Tuesday will offer a clearer illustration of how he might contribute. Another good start will cement him as a member of the rotation — if he isn’t already. He dazzled against the Dodgers last week, striking out eight across 5⅔ innings of one-run ball and dominating a game Verlander had been scheduled to start.
Javier pitched unafraid and constantly attacked the strike zone, something of a departure from his minor league success. No opposing lineup this season will be as potent as that one. Javier must maintain the dominance nonetheless.
Javier’s fastball velocity does not excite. It averaged just 92.6 mph against Los Angeles. His 6-1 frame is unimposing. Deception arrives in the spin Javier generates on his four-seamer, a fastball that appears to rise as it rushes toward a hitter. Pitching coach Brent Strom said the youngster resembles his former San Diego Padres teammate Butch Metzger, the 1976 Rookie of the Year winner.
Javier started last year in the higher level of Class A, authoring a steady ascension up the organization’s farm system. He led all of minor league baseball with a 1.74 ERA. Opponents hit just .130 against him. He struck out 13.5 batters per nine innings.
Walks remained a concern. Javier yielded 4.7 per nine in the minor leagues last season. That worry disappeared against the Dodgers. He received nine called strikes on his four-seamer and nine more against his sweeping curveball. Ten of the 20 Dodgers hitters saw a first-pitch strike from him.
Javier’s only walk was a fourpitch free pass to nine-hole hitter Austin Barnes during his final inning. His fastball velocity fell. Leadoff hitter Mookie Betts loomed with one out for a third look at Javier. Baker left the rookie in.
“I was definitely starting to get a little bit tired at the end,” Javier said. “But I knew I had enough left in the tank to get him out, and thank God I was able to do it.”
Baker did not have a righthander warming alongside lefthander Blake Taylor. Betts was Javier’s final battle.
Javier expended whatever energy remained. He fired fastballs that approached 92 mph. Others in the inning barely eclipsed 90. Betts evened the count at two. Javier reached back for the final throw. The radar gun read 92.3 mph. Betts lifted the baseball softly to right field. Josh Reddick squeezed it.
Baker bounded from the dugout. Minute Maid Park’s piped-in crowd noise grew noticeably louder. Houston’s infield arrived to congratulate the rookie.
Now, the Astros merely need a repeat performance.