According to Jon Morosi of MLB Network, the Houston Astros are “actively considering” White Sox right-handed pitcher Erick Fedde ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline. Fedde has no shortage of suitors in this pitching-starved market, and now the Astros are the latest team to publicly express interest in him.
The Astros have had a roller coaster of a season. They started the season 10-19, and it looked like their once dominant core was losing steam. That is no longer the case. Houston has surged recently, winning 28 of their last 44 games and leapfrogging the Mariners for first place in the AL West. Despite their recent surge, their starting pitching depth is still a significant issue. Justin Verlander, Lance McCullers Jr., Jose Urquidy, Luis Garcia, Cristian Javier, and J.P. France have all missed extended periods this season with injuries. They need another durable starting pitcher. Fedde fits that description.
Unfortunately for Houston, their farm system is one of the worst in baseball. The Astros have just one top 100 prospect according to MLB.com. They routinely rank at or near the bottom in farm system rankings across various publications. However, they still have some talent to land a pitcher of Fedde’s caliber.
Jacob Melton is a 23-year-old left-handed hitting outfielder who is the Astros #1 prospect and the #67 prospect in MLB. His best tool is his 65-grade speed, but he also has 55-grades in power, arm, and fielding. Melton spent most of the season in AA and made his AAA debut earlier this week. Given Fedde’s value and Melton’s place as Houston’s #1 prospect, it seems like a foregone conclusion that the White Sox would ask for him in a deal like this.
Luis Baez is a 20-year-old right-handed hitting outfielder and is the Astros’ #2 prospect per MLB.com. His 60-grade arm and 60-grade power are his best tools, and he is having a solid season in High-A. Baez has 17 doubles and 17 home runs in 79 games this season and is one of the highest-upside prospects in Houston’s system despite his potential defensive limitations down the road.
Brice Matthews is a 22-year-old shortstop and the #3 prospect in the Astros system. He already has 19 stolen bases, 10 doubles, and 10 home runs in 47 combined games between the High-A and AA levels this season. Matthews should be able to stick at shortstop, and accumulating players who can play premium positions is always good. He could make sense for the White Sox in a Fedde trade.
Melton, Baez, and Matthews are Houston’s top three prospects, but they also have other intriguing names. Infielder Zach Dezenzo and outfielder Zach Cole could also make sense in a Fedde trade, and Houston has several pitchers further down their list who could serve as a second piece.
Houston is the latest team to enter the Erick Fedde sweepstakes. The deadline clock is ticking, and it will only be a matter of time before we see where he goes. Given the new developments regarding Garrett Crochet, it seems even more likely that Fedde will find a new home soon.
