Javier tries to crack down on runners
JUPITER, Fla. — Cristian Javier embodied the Astros’ struggles to combat the running game last season. Opponents were 22-for-25 in stolen-base attempts against the righthander. No Astros pitcher allowed more steals. The Rangers added two more in Javier’s disastrous
1⁄3-inning start in Game 7 of the ALCS.
Holding runners better is a stated priority for Houston’s staff this spring, per new manager Joe Espada. Javier began that process Thursday. Espada and bench coach Omar López set a focus for Javier to work on varying his times to the plate and practice a slide-step in his second Grapefruit League start.
“He just needs to be more consistent in being able to give the baserunners different looks,” Espada said Thursday morning. “Runners, what they’re trying to do is just time the pitcher. And if he holds the ball and interrupts that timing, you’re giving Yainer Diaz or Victor Caratini an opportunity to throw somebody out. That’s what we’re trying to do.”
Too often, Houston catchers had little chance to throw out runners last year. Baseball Savant tracked the average distance of runners from second base on catchers’ throwing attempts. Diaz faced the third-shortest average distance among qualified catchers on his throws. Martín Maldonado faced the shortest.
Javier’s three innings against the Cardinals on Thursday allowed him ample chance to practice. Cardinals leadoff man Brendan Donovan singled in the first. Javier retired his next three hitters as he came set at different stages of the pitch timer, held the ball longer before some pitches and picked over to first twice.
Donovan did not run
until a full-count, two-out pitch to Nolan Arenado. In the next inning, Javier issued a one-out walk to Alec Burleson. Burleson did not attempt a steal as Javier retired his next two hitters.
“I thought we changed it up well,” Javier said through an interpreter. “It felt good to see that they didn’t even try to attempt to steal a base. So I thought we did the right things to change it up a bit.”
Espada noted Donovan was less likely to steal with St. Louis trailing 4-0 after a half-inning but said Javier looked comfortable introducing those changes.
“Executed all of his pitches, fastball and changeup, out of slidesteps, held the ball well,” Espada said. “Those are the small things that matter and he did a really good job executing that today.”
Javier worked three innings, recording six strikeouts and allowing two solo home runs to Matt Carpenter and Jordan Walker. His fastball readings were encouraging. Javier, who worked to clean up his mechanics in the offseason, averaged 93.7 mph on 28 fastballs he threw Thursday. His average fastball velocity last season was 92.7 mph. His fastball spin rate Thursday was also closer to his 2022 average, per Statcast.
Javier said his mechanics felt “consistent” Thursday. Espada noted Javier’s velocity “and also the vertical movement” on the fastball. Both home runs Javier allowed were on fastballs. He allowed 21 home runs on the pitch last season. Espada described both home-run pitches Thursday as “mistakes.” Javier threw 37 of 56 pitches for strikes and induced misses on 7-of-9 swings against his slider and changeup.
Breakout features best of the best
The Astros’ roster for the inaugural MLB Spring Breakout showcase includes most of their consensus top 10 prospects, several of whom are still in major-league spring training.
All 30 teams will field a roster of prospects to play in an exhibition game this month. The Astros will play their prospect game March 17 against the Cardinals, prior to the teams’ regular Grapefruit League game at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter.
Houston’s roster includes nine of its top-10 prospects, according to Baseball America and MLB Pipeline rankings. They include pitcher Arrighetti and outfielder Joey Loperfido, who are both still with the team in major-league spring training.
Outfielders Jacob Melton, Houston’s consensus top prospect, and Luis Baez are on the Breakout roster, as are infield prospects Zach Dezenzo and Will Wagner and shortstop Brice Matthews, the Astros’ 2023 first-round draft pick. Here is the full roster:
Pitchers
Arrighetti, Jake Bloss, A.J. Blubaugh, Trey Dombroski, Jose Fleury, Tyler Guilfoil, Michael Knorr, Rhett Kouba, Alimber Santa, Andrew Taylor and Miguel Ullola
Catchers
Miguel Palma, John Garcia and Collin Price
Infielders
Dezenzo, Matthews, Wagner, Camilo Diaz, Alberto Hernandez and Waner Luciano
Outfielders
Baez, Loperfido, Melton, Colin Barber, Zach Cole, Kenedy Corona and Kenni Gomez