Call to the pen
Fansided

Houston Astros showing farm system depth

By Brody Hilgenkamp

Mar 10, 2016; Melbourne, FL, USA; Houston Astros third baseman Colin Moran (79) hits a ball in the sixth inning against the Washington Nationals at Space Coast Stadium. The Houston Astros won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 10, 2016; Melbourne, FL, USA; Houston Astros third baseman Colin Moran (79) hits a ball in the sixth inning against the Washington Nationals at Space Coast Stadium. The Houston Astros won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Braden Shipley is in the midst of his best professional season. He has the lowest ERA of his career (3.35) as well as his lowest walk rate (1.30 per nine innings) and his highest K/BB (4.86).

Shipley’s success is a product of allowing more groundballs than in past seasons. He is getting 1.70 groundouts for every out in the air, the highest rate of his career. Groundballs aren’t as dangerous as fly balls, especially in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, so he’s keeping the damage against him to a minimum: Shipley has allowed just one home run in 48 1/3 innings and opponents are slugging just .384 against him.

The Diamondbacks’ rotation is not pitching as well as the front office had hoped when it signed Zack Greinke away from the Dodgers and traded for Shelby Miller. Entering play Wednesday, the rotation was 21st in the majors in home run rate (1.30) and 23rd in fielding independent pitching (4.56).

Miller and Patrick Corbin especially have been plagued by home runs—they had a 2.06 and 1.62 HR/9 entering Wednesday—so if and when the team decides it needs a boost in its rotation, Shipley could provide it.

Phillies pitching prospect Zach Eflin tossed seven scoreless innings yesterday and allowed just two hits and struck out seven. Eflin is having a career year of his own, posting career lows in ERA (2.36), batting average allowed (.185) and has his highest K/BB (5.57). He joins Vincent Velasquez and Aaron Nola as young Phillies pitchers off to hot starts.

Cubs catching prospect Willson Contreras is hitting .343/.429/.543 over his last 10 games. He is second in the PCL in walks-per-strikeout (1.27) and is slashing .339/.437/.500 this season, all career highs.

Next: Double-A

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