The Houston Astros are optimistic about their starting rotation's future, particularly with the development of Hunter Brown and Spencer Arighetti. After facing early-season struggles, both pitchers have shown flashes of brilliance, indicating their potential to contribute significantly to the team's success.
Spencer Arighetti, a highly-rated prospect in the Astros' system, was thrust into a significant role due to injuries affecting the roster. Although his initial performances were less than stellar, the experience gained during these challenging times is expected to pay dividends in the long run. Hunter Brown, however, faced an even tougher start to his season, highlighted by a disastrous April where he posted an 11.84 ERA. This included a particularly infamous outing against the Kansas City Royals, where he allowed nine runs in a single game, facing an unprecedented 14 batters in the first inning.
Despite these early challenges, Brown managed to turn his season around, finishing with a commendable 3.49 ERA over 31 appearances, striking out 179 batters in 170 innings. His ability to rebound from adversity at just 26 years old suggests a promising career ahead. The Astros' decision to retain him in the rotation, despite the option of sending him to the minors, has proven to be a wise choice, as he subsequently recorded a 3.42 ERA in May and continued to show improvement throughout the season.
