Polin Trinidad

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Houston Astros #26 prospect in 2010
  Another pitcher the Astros have nurtured patiently, Trinidad spent three years in the Dominican Summer League and has toiled for eight seasons in the minors without reaching Houston. His best pitch is his changeup, which can be an out pitch at times. His fastball resides in the high 80s and touches as high as 93. His loose slider is a below-average offering that he has tried to improve without success. Trinidad throws strikes but still needs to refine his ability to command his fastball to both sides of the plate. He doesn't miss many bats, and without much margin for error he must learn to keep his pitches down in the zone. He gave up 25 homers last year, including six in one five-inning start in July. He's a good athlete who fields his position and holds runners well, allowing just three steals last season. If Trinidad pitches well in Triple-A in 2010, he finally should make his big league debut later in the year. He profiles as a No. 5 starter or long reliever.
• 
  Ranked Houston Astros #24 prospect in 2009
  The Astros swapped out righthander Paul Estrada with Trinidad on the 40-man roster after the 2008 season, protecting Trinidad from the Rule 5 draft in spite of his slow path through the system. He spent three years in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League before making his U.S. debut in 2005, and then meandered his way to Corpus Christi last May. Trinidad looks like an average lefty at first glance, but his stuff is sneaky good. His 88-90 mph fastball plays up with good command to both sides of the plate, and he works in a changeup to keep hitters off balance. Best of all, he isn't afraid to pitch to contact. He throws from a three-quarters delivery, muddling his curveball. The breaker is slurvy and needs more depth and sharpness to it if he wants it to be an effective pitch in the big leagues. He also has a tendency to fall into deep counts and struggles with holding runners. The Astros, whom he represented in the Futures Game in Yankee Stadium last summer, will send him to Round Rock in 2009, and he would likely be suitable for an emergency spot start in the big leagues.