The Houston Astros have four players at the annual MLB Rookie Career Development Program (RCDP), which is held this week (January 8-11) in Miami, FL: Josh James, Cionel Perez, Rogelio Armenteros, and Framber Valdez.
In concert with Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association since 1992, this 28th edition of the RCDP is designed to help up-and-coming major leaguers with off-the-field issues like media training and finances, among other topics.
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Designed for players on the brink of their major league breakthrough, the Houston quartet certainly meets that criteria, and interestingly, they’re all pitchers. All but Armenteros have their MLB debuts in their respective rearview mirrors, with James, Valdez, and Perez already experiencing various levels of success with the ‘Stros in 2018.
James (ranked by MLB Pipeline as Houston’s 4th-ranked prospect) and Armenteros (#13) are right-handers, while Valdez (#12) and Perez (#5) are southpaws. All four were weaned as starters throughout their travels through Houston’s minor league affiliates, and all four will be stretched out during Spring Training for a possible shot to make the Astros’ starting rotation in 2019.
Pending other team acquisitions prior to the opening of spring camp (and there will be one or two affecting the pitching staff), the ones (of these pitchers) who don’t crack the rotation will almost certainly earn a spot in the Houston bullpen. All four are that ready and that valued.
Armenteros (an international signee out of Cuba in 2014), for example, turned heads in 2018 with his 8-1 record in 21 starts (one complete game) for AAA Fresno. The 24-year-old fashioned a 3.74 ERA (ranking third in the Pacific Coast League) in 118 innings, while striking out a third-best 134, and walking only 48.
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As MLB.com‘s Jonathan Mayo informed readers last season, regarding the RCDP gathering, the attendees are important pieces of any organization’s door-knocking assets:
“At [2017’s] program, National League Rookie of the Year Cody Bellinger was among the many attendees who saw a lot of big league time in 2017, so it’s important to pay attention to who is at this year’s event, and every organization sends some of their top prospects here annually. There were 20 members off MLB Pipeline’s current Top 100 prospects list in attendance.”
And, “For the players invited, coming to the RCDP not only gives them useful information to help them further their careers, it’s a sign their organizations see a big league future for them.”
Included in various large-group seminars and smaller breakout sessions will be discussions about financial planning, inclusion and respect, the media, performance-enhancing drugs, relationships, and sexual health.
In previous years, retired big leaguers such as former Astro Jose Cruz Jr. (2008), Jeffrey Hammonds, and Hall of Famer Dave Winfield were on hand to share their experiences from their careers.
Longtime Houston Astros fans remember the countless years when annual triple-digit losses kept Astros caps and t-shirts hidden deep in our closets.
Now, Astro-bling of all types can be seen by just walking around Texas! The Astros' goal for 2020? To re-visit the magic of '17 and find a finger for championship ring #2!
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