Houston Astros: Collin McHugh’s enjoying a quiet rebound campaign
Astros fans nearly bid Collin McHugh adieu this offseason. After nearly being shipped, the right-hander has since proven his promise in a new role.
It would be difficult for any pitcher in the Houston Astros organization to outshine any of their current pitchers in the rotation. And while Collin McHugh will not garner much attention, nor will he purloin anyone’s starting spot, he deserves some recognition.
The 30-year-old entered the year with his name swirling around in trade rumors and hearsay. Houston’s front office surely shopped the right-hander this offseason, but it never pulled the trigger on an exchange.
Now McHugh is showing why he is valuable, even if he’s not pitching every fifth day. Thus far, he sports a 0.61 ERA and a 20/4 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He’s allowed just one run thus far, the fewest of any pitcher on the club with more than 10 innings pitched.
His current strikeouts-per-nine-innings ratio is greater than 12, nearly four strikeouts better than his career-best. Granted, he’s not pitching three times through a lineup, but it is a feat for the right-hander nonetheless.
The Astros essentially relied on Brad Peacock and Chris Devenski for long-relief outings in case their starters scuffled early on. At this point, A.J. Hinch’s squad won’t need any long relievers with the way the rotation is dealing.
However, McHugh’s effectiveness allows Hinch to use Devenski in more critical, late-game scenarios. That helps, considering that Devenski is the club’s not-so-secret weapon against left-handed hitters.
Houston already possesses a versatile variation of valuable veterans in the pen. McHugh’s presence just makes the reigning World Series champions even more formidable.
What has made McHugh so effective this year?
McHugh has never overpowered hitters with a blinding fastball accompanied by a medley of sharp breaking balls. Yet he has developed a heater with more bite, and he has found success in what was previously his punch-out pitch prior to last year.
A 90-mph fastball won’t intimidate any major-league hitters. Neither will a 92-mph heater. But it’s seemed to work for the four-year veteran. Hitters have hit a scant amount of line drives against it thanks to prime placement.
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It’s also currently McHugh’s best payoff pitch. His strikeout rate with the fastball is at a whopping 26.5 percent, per FanGraphs. That’s four percent higher than his previous best in 2014.
Moreover, the Astros pitcher has literally dropped the hammer on his foes. Opponents have yet to notch a hit off his spinner. It’s been a major key in his resurgence on the bump.
Houston should expect regression throughout the remainder of the year. McHugh doesn’t boast a repertoire quite like Gerrit Cole and Justin Verlander. He posted a sub-3.00 ERA just once since 2012.
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Nonetheless, fans should recognize McHugh for his quietly dominant season so far. Surely he deserves – and hopefully prefers – being known for his talent on the rubber rather than as the first player to ride in Arizona’s bullpen cart.