This story was excerpted from Brian McTaggart’s Astros Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
HOUSTON -- When left-hander Colton Gordon makes his Major League debut in Wednesday’s series finale against the Royals at Daikin Park, he will be the fifth Astros starting pitcher to make his debut in the past two seasons. Gordon, the Astros’ No. 14 prospect, was 4-0 with a 2.55 ERA and 1.20 WHIP in eight starts this season at Triple-A Sugar Land.
“Strike-thrower,” Astros manager Joe Espada said. “Aggressive in the zone. He’s tough. I’m excited about it. He’s put himself in this position, and I think he matches up really well against [the Royals’] lineup. I’m looking forward to it.”
Gordon, an eighth-round pick from the University of Central Florida in the 2021 MLB Draft, put himself on the map last season by going 8-2 with a 3.94 ERA in 25 games (24 starts) across 123 1/3 innings at Triple-A, striking out 124 batters and allowing a .238 opponents’ average. He started the game the Space Cowboys won to clinch the Triple-A National Championship last year and also pitched in the World Baseball Classic in 2023 for Israel, so he has some big game experience.
“Experience is everything,” Gordon said. “Obviously, I pitched in Miami that year. I’m excited to do it here. I haven’t done it here. It’s going to be something new, obviously. At the same time, baseball is baseball. I’m excited to go out there and do it out here.”
Gordon joins an Astros rotation that’s a bit short-handed with Spencer Arrighetti having been on the injured list most of the season with a broken thumb and Hayden Wesneski joining him last week with right elbow discomfort. Houston has gone to a six-man rotation during a stretch of 17 consecutive games without a day off.
Gordon, who’s from St. Petersburg, Fla., said he’ll have a lot of support in the stands Wednesday.
“Friends, family, so many people who have helped me get here,” he said. “It’s probably an endless list at this point in my life, but so many people will be here: Mom, Dad, friends, family. It’s going to be a good day.”
Gordon will be the second Astros starter to make his debut this year, joining AJ Blubaugh (No. 9 prospect), who made one start against the Tigers on April 30 and was optioned back to Triple-A. Last year, Arrighetti (April 10) and Jake Bloss (June 21) made their debuts in starts, with Bloss later being dealt to the Blue Jays as part of the Yusei Kikuchi trade (It was revealed Tuesday that Bloss would undergo Tommy John surgery).
The other Astros starters to make their debuts in the last two seasons are Blair Henley on April 8, 2024, against the Rangers and J.P. France on May 6, 2023, against the Mariners.
Gordon could make at least a couple of starts for the Astros if they go back to a five-man rotation later this month. It’s unclear how long Wesneski will be out, and Arrighetti is still in a cast, so he’s still a few weeks away from returning. Gordon plans to take advantage of each opportunity.
“I would say just trying to be my best self every time out there, which is just throwing strikes, using my repertoire the best way I can,” he said. “Get ahead of batters and let my defense work and just trying to win games for Sugar Land and now, here. Winning at the end of the day is all that matters. Put up zeros and give my team a chance to win.”