The Houston Astros are counting on Cristian Javier to make a comeback this year. Following his pivotal role in their 2022 World Series victory, they re-signed him to a lucrative five-year, $64 million contract. With Justin Verlander leaving in free agency, retaining Javier seemed like an obvious move for the franchise.
However, the 26-year-old had a disappointing 2023 season, registering the worst stats of his career with an ERA of 4.56 over 31 starts and 162 innings pitched. His strikeouts declined while his walks increased, a concerning trend for his performance.
In response, Javier has undertaken a significant overhaul of his offseason training and physical conditioning in hopes of rejuvenating his performance for the upcoming season. This proactive approach is seen as essential for him to bounce back effectively.
Yet, his adaptation won’t be solely physical. Javier also faces the challenge of aligning with the defensive philosophy of Houston’s new manager, Joe Espada. With Espada prioritizing strategies to thwart base stealing, such as the pitch clock and larger bases, Javier must adjust his pitching style accordingly.
Reports from Chandler Rome of The Athletic suggest that Javier struggled with this adjustment during a spring training outing against the St. Louis Cardinals. Therefore, his ability to synchronize with Espada’s defensive approach will be crucial for his success this season.
Eight batters into this game, the Cardinals have already stolen two bases off Cristian Javier. Victor Caratini didn't have a prayer on either one because Javier is so slow to the plate. Holding runners has been one of Joe Espada's emphases all spring. A ways to go.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) March 2, 2024
Overall, the right-handed pitcher showcased a strong performance. He pitched three innings without conceding a hit, striking out three batters. However, he did issue two walks, and those runners managed to advance on stolen bases. This highlights a potential concern for Javier going forward – his ability to prevent opposing runners from stealing bases could be a significant issue throughout the season.
Addressing this issue may prove challenging as Javier’s pitching delivery is notably slow. Completely altering his approach within a short timeframe is unlikely. It will be intriguing to observe how the Astros tackle this aspect of his game, as it could have repercussions for their performance throughout the 2024 season.
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