Champion Astros Reportedly Take Chance On Hard-Throwing Former Red Sox Prospect
The reigning champion Houston Astros recently added even more depth.
Houston reportedly signed former Boston Red Sox prospect and Los Angeles Angels hurler Ty Buttrey to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training, according to The Athletic's Sam Blum.
Buttrey was drafted by the Red Sox in the fourth round of the 2012 MLB June Amateur and began his professional career in the Boston farm system. The right-handed pitcher worked his way all the way up from the Gulf Coast League to the then Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox before being traded to Los Angeles in a package for second baseman Ian Kinsler.
The 29-year-old made his Major League Baseball debut with the Angels in 2018 and has been with the organization ever since. Buttrey made 115 appearances for Los Angeles from 2018-2020 before shortly retiring and then making a comeback in the organization's farm system.
After his time away from baseball, Buttrey made 34 appearances for the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees while compiling a 5.94 ERA.
Buttrey is an intriguing option for the Astros because he doesn't cost the organization much but if he's able to return to form, he could be a bullpen depth option. Buttrey does have MLB experience under his belt. Also, the fireballer's fastball velocity was in the 89th percentile in 2020 before his short retirement so if he's able to get even close to form, he could be useful for Houston.
He had two straight years out of the bullpen with an ERA below 4.00 in 2018 and 2019 so Buttrey certainly has some upside.
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