Houston Astros: Cristian Javier and his rising fantasy value

In Cristian Javier the Houston Astros have found a young, reliable arm, who will put up solid numbers at the Major League level.

Being tabbed as the Spring Training Opening Day starter isn’t really too much to write home about. For the Houston Astros, the pitcher they will send to the hill in their Grapefruit League opener, it is. Cristian Javier is someone to watch as a potential steal in American League only fantasy leagues.

Cristian Javier got the call Saturday when the Astros face the Washington Nationals in the first spring training game for both teams. Javier who won the Minor League Pitcher of the Year award last year for the Astros has huge upside and is ready to contribute in the majors.

Javier runs his four-seam fastball to the plate at an average of 91-93 mph, and compliments the pitch with his slider, the pitch he turns to most often.

Wins and losses are not a telling stat for pitchers and minor league numbers need to be taken with a grain of salt. However, Cristian Javier has breezed through the minor leagues thus far compiling a record of 26-11 with a 2.22 earned run average. He strikes out 12.2 batters per nine innings and has a career WHIP of 1.03. Javier also keeps the ball in the ballpark, yielding one homer per 18 innings pitched.

In his award-winning season, Javier climbed from Single A to Triple A and held opposing hitters to a paltry .130 average along the way.

The Houston Astros have a need for a fifth starter and the competition will be intense as Spring Training progresses. Javier can earn the fifth starter role and should be looked at as a late round selection in American League only draft formats. Even if Javier does not break camp with the Astros a close eye should still be kept on him.

His days in the minor leagues are numbered and once called upon he will put up high strikeout totals and solid statistics at the Major League level.