Astros Prospect Could Earn Bullpen Spot

The Houston Astros signed Josh Hader to a massive deal and will have Ryan Pressly able to finish games, too.

Earlier when players and staff members began arriving to Spring Training, manager Joe Espada finally revealed that Hader will close games and Pressly will be used in the 8th inning.

Despite that decision, the Astros still have a need for bullpen depth heading into the upcoming season.

The team notably lost Hector Neris, Phil Maton, and Ryne Stanek to free agency. All three are veterans who have proven they can get outs at the big-league level, so replacing them won't be an easy task.

Spring Training will offer prospects and others to win a job, including flamethrower right-hander Forrest Whitley.

MLB.com ranks Whitley as the one prospect to watch in Spring Training for the club, writing that he might finally make his long-awaited Major League debut.

The former 2016 first-round pick was viewed as one of the top prospects in baseball at the time. Injuries slowed down his early career but he's looking to bounce back in a big way in 2024 a fastball that's reached 100 miles per hour.

Whitley will have an opportunity to earn a spot in a bullpen that can use the help.

After working his way through the minors with all of these injuries, Whitley deserves a chance to show he can compete at the highest level. Spring Training will give him that opportunity as he looks to win the Houston coaching staff over with his performance.

He dealt with injuries again in 2023, posting a 5.70 ERA over 30 innings pitched at Triple-A.

The struggles and injuries have been a concern, but the 26-year-old has an electric fastball that can play out of the bullpen if he stays healthy.