Astros' Pitchers Fantasy Baseball Preview | Framber Valdez, Josh Hader, Hunter Brown, Bryan Abreu, Ronel Blanco and More

Let's cap our fantasy baseball team preview on the Houston Astros by looking at the team's pitching. We covered hitting in another story.

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Top Fantasy Pitchers

A few Houston pitchers appear on the ADP list right now.

Framber Valdez is first up, coming in at pick 48.57 on average. Josh Hader is close behind at pick 50.57.

Hunter Brown checks in at pick 127.5, while Spencer Arrighetti is at pick 157. Ronel Blanco (163.89) and Bryan Abreu (181.71) are other late-round options in standard leagues.

Valdez was really good in 2024 across his 28 starts.

He went 15-7 with a 2.91 earned run average. The win-loss record seems unsustainable, but with a career 3.30 ERA, Valdez should continue to rack up wins. He also had 169 strikeouts over 176 1/3 innings last season.

Valdez was a top-20 fantasy pitcher overall last season, and as long as he stays healthy, he should have a good chance at repeating that feat. Getting him as a second fantasy starting pitcher would be ideal. I have no issues taking him around that ADP.

Hader is a bounceback candidate after a 71-appearance season in 2024.

He went 8-8 and claimed 34 saves, but had a 3.80 ERA (the second-worst mark in his career). Hader made up for the higher ERA with 105 strikeouts over his 71 innings pitched.

Hader was still a top-five fantasy finisher among relievers last season, and he could end up as the No. 1 guy if he lowers his ERA this season. Taking closers early is always a risk, but given Hader's big strikeout numbers, I'm more at ease taking him over some other top-end options.

Brown improved a good deal in his third MLB season (second full one).

In 31 games and 30 starts, Brown went 11-9 with a 3.49 ERA. He ended the season with 179 punchouts over 170 innings.

I really like the fantasy value of taking Brown at his ADP. There's plenty of room for him to exceed that fantasy pick, even if he regresses in some stats from last season. He should be a year-long keeper in all leagues, and that's not something you can say about every pitcher going around his ADP.

Arrighetti flashed some fantasy potential in 29 games and 28 starts last season.

He went 7-13 with a 4.53 ERA, but struck out 171 batters over 145 innings. I expect Arrightetti to improve his ERA this season, and longer starts should help him maybe push for 200 punchouts.

Taking a late-round stab on Arrighetti is fine by me. I see enough upside to make the pick and he could turn out to be a big-time draft steal if he improves on the bump.

Blanco started last season with a no-hitter and it set the stage for a big season.

Across 30 games and 29 starts, Blanco went 13-6 with a 2.80 ERA. He struck out 166 batters over 167 1/3 innings.

You might be wondering why a player with those kinds of numbers is just a late-round option. Well, he's only had one good season in his MLB career, and is now 31 years old. I still see some value in taking him late in standard league drafts, and if he's a keeper all season, I'd call the pick a win.

Abreu is the top setup man for Hader, and is worthy of standard league consideration as a non-closer because of his big strikeout numbers.

In 78 games last season, Abreu had a 3-3 record and one save, along with a 3.10 ERA. He struck out 103 batters in 78 1/3 innings of work.

I'm not high on taking relievers who aren't closing games in standard leagues, but Abreu is near the top of that list of pitchers (if he isn't the No. 1 guy). An injury to Hader would make Abreu a pickup in all leagues. I'm fine taking Abreu if your league includes holds, or if reliever strikeouts are more points, but otherwise I think Abreu should just be a deep-league option.

Other Starting Options

According to FanGraphs, Hayden Wesneski is the team's No. 5 starting pitcher to begin the season. Nick Hernandez is the long reliever, while Shawn Dubin, J.P. France, Luis Garcia, Cristian Javier and Lance McCullers Jr. are all injured starters.

Tayler Scott is another projected setup man, while Bryan King, Kaleb Ort, Rafael Montero and Forrest Whitley are other projected bullpen arms.

Wesneski was with the Cubs before being traded to the Astros.

In 28 games and seven starts last season, Wesneski had a 3-6 record and 3.86 ERA. He struck out 67 batters over 67 2/3 innings. He's a deep-league option to begin the season, and will need to pitch well to keep his rotation spot and maybe be a standard league streaming option.

I don't see Hernandez being of much value in fantasy leagues. He'd have to start and pitch well consistently before changing my mind.

Dubin has shoulder inflammation, but shouldn't miss too much regular season time. France could be a second half contributor for Houston, but might need until 2026 to pitch again.

I cannot find a timetable for Garcia's return, but he's likely going to start the season on the injured list. Javier is another second half option for the Astros. McCullers should be available at some point in the first half of the season.

It'll be fascinating to see how the rotation looks when some of these pitchers come back. Any pitcher starting for Houston is at least a deep-league option, and many of the injured guys will be standard league streaming options too.

I don't see any relievers outside of Hader and Abreu being big fantasy assets, unless the top-two relievers go down of course. Scott is the name to watch after Hader and Abreu.

Top Prospects

No Houston pitching prospects are on the top-100 list to begin the season. 

Miguel Ullola, A.J. Blubaugh, Colton Gordon and Ryan Gusto are all top-30 prospects of the team who have 2025 ETAs.

Ullola has made 53 starts across his 85 minor league appearances so far. He had a 4.48 ERA across 317 1/3 innings, along with 445 punchouts, 216 walks and a .187 average against him.

Blubaugh has a 4.04 ERA across 60 minor league games and 40 starts. He has 269 strikeouts, 102 walks and a .241 average against him.

Gordon has made 59 starts across his 69 minor league appearances. In 305 1/3 innings, Gordon has a 3.74 ERA, 353 punchouts, 105 walks and a .226 average against him.

Gusto is at 83 minor league games and 56 starts. In 363 innings, Gusto has a 4.31 ERA, a .235 average against him, 371 strikeouts and 142 walks.

Misael Tamarez, Jose Fleury and Alex Santos II are other pitchers age 25 or below who are in big league camp with the team this spring.