Houston Astros convert David Paulino into a relief pitcher

PORT ST. LUCIE, FL – MARCH 06: David Paulin #63 of the Houston Astros in action during a spring training game against the New York Mets at First Data Field on March 6, 2018, in Port St. Lucie, Florida. The Mets defeated the Astros 9-5. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

David Paulin has yet to find success as a starting pitcher for the Houston Astros organization. Therefore, instead of allowing him to become nothing but a bust, the club can mold him into an effective reliever for the future.

The Houston Astros are famous for turning starting pitchers in their organization into efficient relievers.

Chris Devenski and Brad Peacock successfully leaped into hybrid roles. Collin McHugh made the switch this season, and he now owns career-best numbers.

Top pitching prospect David Paulino might be next.

The Triple-A starter has a 5.50 ERA for Fresno across just four starts. He endured an injury during Spring Training and succumbed to it again late last month.

Paulino’s absence allows the Astros to make a decision. The hard-throwing right-hander posted little success as a starting pitcher during his short stint in the majors. Even in Triple-A, he owns a 4.70 career ERA.

But the Houston pitcher has plenty of upside. He averaged more than 10 strikeouts per nine innings in the minors. The Dominican can top 98-mph with multiple effective breaking balls. He’s ultimately a power pitcher – he has size.

Nevertheless, Paulino’s faults might outweigh his potential. The 24-year-old allows more than eight hits per nine innings, along with nearly four walks in that span in Triple-A. Those numbers alone contribute toward his bloated ERA.

And a much more significant concern is his durability. The Astros acquired him before his Tommy John Surgery. He’s also suffered an elbow injury, joint tendinitis, and bone spurs in his elbow – all since 2014.

Even if he returns to form at some point this year, longevity and effectiveness could be two problems. It seems unlikely that he can sustain his health as a top-five starter throughout a more extended period of time.

Hence, Houston has an opportunity to squeeze some value out of him, since he’s unsuitable trade bait.

What it means for the Astros

Manager A.J. Hinch doesn’t have much to worry about in his bullpen. Despite all of the ninth-inning issues, Houston relievers boast the second-best ERA in the entire MLB – behind Arizona.

After next season, multiple vital relievers could head elsewhere. Joe Smith, Will Harris, Collin McHugh and Hector Rondon will be free agents after 2020.

Though that group doesn’t include Peacock and Devenski, it’s a significant chunk of the relief corps. And the Astros likely won’t re-sign all, if any, of them.

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Thus, Paulino would be one cheap option. If pitching coach Brent Strom can work his magic with the 6-foot-7 behemoth, it would allow the team to allocate more payroll to its starting rotation.

That could be an important aspect to consider, since four of the current starters will either be gone or free agents by then.

Moreover, some teams are investing in hybrid relievers, pitchers that can earn saves or provide long-relief outings. And unsurprisingly, many of them are former starters.

Robert Gsellman and Amir Garret are two more recent examples of players with potential that didn’t necessarily pan out as starters. But both found success this year in the pen.

Also, even top-tier relievers, such as Aroldis Chapman and Andrew Miller, sought rotation spots early in their careers. Now they are famous for late-inning door-slamming performances.

It’s not a new concept for the Astros. Paulino may return with a reduced velocity and a less-intensive repertoire.

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But Houston can fashion him into an effective reliever to be used throughout the next few seasons. Paulino might not be pleased at first, yet it would provide him a new beginning.

And it could provide the team with another high-caliber, dependable guy in an already-formidable bullpen.

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