The Houston Astros have long been known for their ability to identify and develop pitching talent, and their latest move signals they're sticking to that formula. In a three-team trade involving the Pirates and Rays, the Astros landed right-hander Mike Burrows - a 26-year-old with a solid foundation and years of team control ahead.
And make no mistake, Houston isn’t just adding depth here. They see real upside.
Burrows just wrapped up his first extended taste of big-league action in 2025, finishing with a 3.98 ERA and striking out more than 24% of the batters he faced. That’s the kind of performance that puts you firmly in the middle of a competitive rotation - and in Houston, that’s saying something. But the Astros think there’s more in the tank, and they’re not shy about the plan to unlock it.
General manager Dana Brown made it clear: the Astros are taking a page from the Hunter Brown playbook. That means a targeted development plan, and in Burrows’ case, it starts with the sinker.
Hunter Brown, now a Cy Young finalist, followed a similar path. Two years ago, the Astros encouraged him to incorporate a sinker into his arsenal, helping him better handle right-handed hitters and keep the ball on the ground.
It paid off in a big way. Now, they’re hoping Burrows can follow suit - maybe not to the same heights, but enough to solidify the middle of the rotation and provide real value.
Burrows already throws four pitches - fastball, changeup, slider, and cutter - and he technically has a sinker in the mix, though it was barely used last season (under 6% of the time). Still, there’s a reason Houston’s pitching department is intrigued.
Despite the limited usage, the sinker was his second-most valuable pitch by run value, trailing only his changeup. That’s a strong signal there’s untapped potential here.
The changeup, which graded out at 8.4 runs above average, is already a weapon. But the sinker - at 2.94 runs above average despite its limited role - might be the key to unlocking a more complete version of Burrows. With the Astros’ track record of refining pitchers and maximizing pitch mix efficiency, it’s easy to see why they’re betting on this adjustment.
This isn’t just about adding another arm. It’s about maximizing value in a tight payroll environment.
The Astros aren’t in a position to chase high-priced free agents for the back end of the rotation. So, they’re leaning into what they do best: identifying pitchers with upside, building a tailored plan, and trusting their development infrastructure to do the rest.
If Burrows can take a step forward - even if it’s not to Cy Young contention - he becomes a cost-controlled, reliable starter through 2031. That’s the kind of move that helps keep a contender’s window open without breaking the bank.
Houston’s betting on its system again. And if history is any indication, they’ve earned the benefit of the doubt.