MLB: Five Prospects on the Major League Doorstep

While not as big a name as the four AL pitchers mentioned earlier, Joe Musgrove has every bit a chance to make a big impact this year. After coming over from the Blue Jays in a 2012 deal for J.A. Happ, Musgrove battled consistency and injuries while falling well behind a normal development path. That all changed last year, when the former sandwich pick broke out and threw 100 innings across three levels.  He pitched to a 1.88 ERA and only walked eight batters all season.

This year he’s moving quickly again, having just made his first start at AAA.  From all accounts he looked great doing it, and he looks like he’s ready for the big leagues.  At 23, he’s finally caught up on the development path and is showing everyone why the Blue Jays took him with the 46th selection in 2011.  His pinpoint command is something any team could use, and this year he’s striking out batters more than ever before.

The Astros, for their part have already inserted a rookie into their struggling rotation.  Chris Devenski broke camp as a long reliever, and after allowing just one run in his first 13.2 innings was given Scott Feldman‘s starts. He pitched pretty well in his first three outings, but was blown up by the powerhouse Red Sox on Sunday.  Though his performance is encouraging, he was never expected to be much more than a swingman or possible fifth starter.

Even with Feldman out of the rotation, the Astros are still giving starts to struggling veterans Doug Fister, Collin McHugh and Mike Fiers. They’re in a deep hole in the AL West, but with players like Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa and Dallas Keuchel on their squad they’re always able to go on a run.  If Musgrove keeps up his domination of the minor leagues, he just might be the next call to try and provide some solid innings from the rotation.  Even if he isn’t, he could easily help in a relief role, as his plus fastball and command is something any manager would want at his disposal.

Next: Number 4