Astros Sign New Left-Hander to Deal

There shouldn't be high expectations that the Houston Astros will do much this offseason based on some of the statements made by general manager Dana Brown at the Winter Meetings so far.

He did make a peculiar statement when saying things are "heating up" in free agency, so maybe they have their sights set on some additions they would like to make that addresses their bullpen and backup catching needs.

While Brown continues to look for players that can impact their Major League roster, the Astros also signed left-handed pitcher Brailyn Marquez to a minor league deal, according to the MLB.com players' transaction page.

Marquez originally was signed by the Chicago Cubs as an international free agent in 2015. He became a Top-100 prospect in the organization during the 2019 season when he posted a 9-5 record with a 3.13 ERA across 22 starts.

Unfortunately for the rising prospect, COVID cancelled the 2020 season and he was only able to make one appearance with the MLB club that year where he got shelled for five runs in less than an inning pitched.

Injuries and illness has held Marquez to only 30 2/3 innings since his MLB appearance. He did not play in any minor league games during the 2021 and 2022 seasons.

Following this past year with Cubs, the 24-year-old elected to hit free agency where he was signed by Houston.

He's an intriguing prospect still based on his age. The talent is there as well, having posted a career ERA of 3.38 in 287 2/3 innings pitched. He's struck out 331 batters as well, proving he can be a high-strikeout pitcher, but struggles with control having walked 139 batters.

Marquez came into Chicago's Major League farm system as a starter before moving to a bullpen role in 2023. Across his 80 career appearances at the minor league level, 57 of them have been starts.

It's unknown right now if the Astros view him as a future starter or if they want to convert him into a reliever right away, but getting a talented pitcher like this lefty into their developmental system could get his career back on track.