Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports
The Houston Astros acquired starting pitcher Alex White from the Colorado Rockies for Wilton Lopez. White is a former first round draft pick from 2009. When this trade first went down, I really liked it for the Astros. They received a former first round draft pick who still has a ton of potential, for a reliever that was forced into the closer’s role. Lopez isn’t a closer, but the Astros forced him into that role and made the Rockies believe he was a closer. Plus, Lopez has some elbow issues. White, on the other hand, can still be a good starting pitcher for the Astros.
White had a terrible year last season. He finished with two wins and nine losses, and he had a 5.51 ERA. Like I said, he was awful. But, what can we expect from him this year?
I think White will win a spot in the rotation for the Astros in 2013, but that may just be all he does this season. For the Astros’ sake, I hope I am wrong, but I think you should expect about the same thing he did last season. The only difference is he is going from Coors Field, a home run hitter’s paradise, to Minute Maid Park, a home run hitter’s beach house so to speak. Coors field is easily the best hitter’s park in the league. The only problem is Minute Maid Park is also a nice home run ball park.
White gave up a lot of bombs last season, and I expect more of the same this season.
Other than today, White hasn’t had a bad Spring Training. Today, he started off great. That is up until he hit two outs in the third inning. Up to that point, he had only allowed one run. Right now, pitchers in spring training aren’t necessarily trying to get outs, but he hasn’t done a bad job. I expect Alex White to do well this spring, win a job this spring, and then somewhat disappoint like he did last season.
Lee White is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter, ”Like” him on Facebook and add him to your network on Google.
