The Houston Astros starting rotation depth has taken a hit, as top prospect David Paulino has been suspended for 80 games due to a failed PED test.
The Houston Astros are in the enviable position of having two of the better pitching prospects in the game in David Paulino and Francis Martes. Unfortunately, both pitchers were forced into the starting rotation this season, due to the Astros injury woes. However, this experience has improved the Astros pitching depth, while giving the prospects a taste of starting at the major league level.
That pitching depth is set to take another hit. On Saturday, word came down that Paulino had failed a PED test, and has been suspended for 80 games as he tested positive for Boldenone. Paulino will not be eligible for the postseason when the Astros inevitably qualify for the playoffs. He is not appealing his suspension.
It has been a rough season for Paulino at the major league level. In his six starts, he has posted a 6.52 ERA and a 1.483 WHiP. The 2017 campaign has not been a total disaster for Paulino though, as he has struck out 34 batters and allowed just seven walks in 29 innings. The biggest problem has been his inability to keep the ball in the yard, as evidenced by the eight homers that he has allowed.
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This is not the first time that Paulino has faced discipline. While this is his first PED suspension, the Astros had suspended the prospect in June last year, for unknown reasons, while he was in AA. That suspension obviously did not diminish Paulino in the minds of the Astros front office, as he made three appearances, including one start, late in 2016.
Although the two suspensions are unrelated, these issues may well be a concern going forward. It is a positive that Paulino is not appealing the decision, as he is accepting responsibility for his actions. Yet, the fact that he has faced discipline twice in the span of just over a year should raise some red flags. Hopefully, he will learn from this, and can return to his former promising status as a top pitching prospect.
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David Paulino is still expected to be a key part of the Houston Astros future. That future just may take a bit longer to get there now that he is suspended for the rest of the 2017 campaign.