Chron.com: Astros rotation set; Oswalt to start opening day

Does any body have an info on how Hernandez is coming along?

Will he be able to challenge for the 5th spot?

 

Fifth spot is Redding's.

Hernandez pitched well in winter ball, and had we not signed Clemens or Pettitte, he'd probably be our fifth starter right now... but since we got those guys, this gives the Astros the luxury of not having to rush him back.

The more time this guy has to heal, the better... he's young, a lefty, and has THE BEST curveball in the organization (if he's healthy).

He'll definitly be in the mix for the future, but I think he'll be starting every fifth day in AAA, building arm strength, rather than be the backup in case anybody goes down to injury.

J-Rob and Duckworth are probably ahead in the pecking order, based on their health only.

 

From what I hear, Taylor Bucholz may challenge him for this honor. I hope so, cause I absolutely LOVE to watch pitchers with big time 12 to 6 curveballs. Nothing is more fun than a strikeout where the batter damn near dives for the dugout because he thinks the pitch is coming for his head.

 

Yeah, that's what I've heard as well... but I won't make any assumptions until we see this guy pitch in the big leagues.

Taylor may very well get us to forget the name Wagner, and may be the "Bagwell for Anderson" trade of the new millenium... especially if the Phillies falter this year, and Wagner leaves as a free agent afterwards (btw, any news on this?... is he trying to get an extension w/ Philly?)

Carlos proved himself numerous times once he got up here, and unfortunatley, he got hurt. But, I saw enough in that brief time that if he's spotting his fastball well (which, if he's left handed, doesn't need to be fast... but if he's healthy, he can get it up to 95mph), his curveball is unhittable.

Taylor is from the same mold (mid 90's fastball), and he's like 6'6 (not our typical under 6' pitcher), so he's got all the physical makings to succeed.

If he puts it together mentally, we could have the makings of a Braves-like pitching rotation for years to come (even post-Pettite):
Oswalt
Miller
Redding
Hernandez
Buckholz

This is the reason that I'm not worried about all our old everyday players. If you've got pitching waiting in the wings, your organization will be just fine...