8. David Paulino, RHP
Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 2/6/1994 (24)
2017 teams/levels played for: AAA Fresno Grizzlies, MLB Houston Astros
2017 Stats: Minors: 3 GS, 14 IP, 4.50 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 14.5% BB, 21% K; Majors: 6 GS, 29 IP, 6.52 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, 5.5% BB, 26.6% K
Info: The Detroit Tigers signed Paulino out of the Dominican Republic in 2010, and he was traded to the Astros after having Tommy John surgery in mid-2013. He missed the entire first year in the Astros organization in 2014.
When he returned in 2015, he was incredible, pitching across three levels with a 2.81 ERA over 67 1/3 innings, striking out 72. In 2016, he pitched across the upper minors and made his major league debut. In the minors, he threw 90 innings, with a 2.00 ERA and struck out 106.
Not having shown that he could be healthy yet, he opened 2017 injured as well, not making his season debut until May 11th in the minors. By the end of May, he was up at the big league level, making a big impression with his season debut, striking out 8 in 4 innings in a start against the Twins.
However, at the end of June, Paulino was suspended 80 games due to a positive PED test. He did not pitch again due to surgery to remove bone chips in his pitching elbow, meaning he’s still not yet eclipsed 100 innings, even combined with major and minor league time.
At 6’7″ and a well-build 215-225 pounds, he has an excellent fastball that sits in the 91-93 range and can touch 95-96 with a hard curve that ranges into the mid-80s, but sits more in the 81-83 range. He gets a ton of ground balls off of both pitches and plenty of swing and miss.
When healthy, he shows very good command and control, which is rare for a guy at his size, and his change is also excellent, giving him a 3-pitch mix that would allow him to succeed at the middle of the rotation, but he cannot keep healthy. He’s also one positive PED test away from missing a full season, and he’ll be 24 to open the 2018 season, making his path to long-term success much more cloudy.
Paulino will compete for a major league bullpen role to open the season, but likely will open the year in the rotation in AAA, riding the train between Fresno and Houston frequently as needed.
7. Freudis Nova, SS
Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 1/12/2000 (18)
2017 teams/levels played for: Dominican Summer League Astros Orange
2017 Stats: .247/.342/.355, 190 PA, 4 HR, 8 SB, 15/33 BB/K
Info: Nova became the center of a brewing controversy when he tested positive for the same PED as 2016 draftee Delvin Perez. Nova’s stock took a big hit, from a feasible $3 million-plus signee in July 2016 with the Marlins to $1.2 million with the Houston Astros.
Unlike Perez, Nova has maintained his stock and even improved upon it in his pro time, showing off 70 grade speed and a plus arm in the infield. There is some question as to whether Nova will fill out to move to third base, but he’s shown the instincts to handle shortstop to this point and certainly has the speed to stick as well.
There is some question as to whether Nova will fill out to move to third base, but he’s shown the instincts to handle shortstop to this point
Nova showed very good zone recognition, but his pitch recognition against premium velocity or harder breaking stuff was still lacking, though that’s not uncommon for a teenager in his first pro exposure.
Nova does have above-average bat speed, and as he fills out into his 6’1″ frame, he should be able to generate at least average power, if not above-average power along with his premium speed.
Nova’s tremendous raw talents will get their first stateside test in 2018, and he could explode up this list if he handles that transition well.
Next: #5 and #6