Barrett Astin
| IP | 8 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 6.75 |
| WHIP | 2 |
| BB/9 | 7.875 |
| SO/9 | 2.25 |
- Full name Barrett Astin
- Born 10/22/1991 in Forrest City, AR
- Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 225 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Arkansas
- Debut 04/03/2017
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Drafted in the 3rd round (90th overall) by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2013 (signed for $584,300).
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Arkansas built its 2012 College World Series team from the bullpen forward, beginning with Astin. He was electric as the team's durable closer, saving 11 games, getting plenty of ground balls and posting a 1.99 ERA. The 6-foot-1, 200-pounder also showed a fastball that reached 94-95 mph with bowling ball life down in the zone. He moved into a starting role this year and has been less electric, with his fastball sitting more in the 89-92 mph range. Astin throws a slider with cutter action that helps him combat lefthanded hitters, while adding a solid-average curveball with good shape. He does a good job of missing down, keeping the ball in the ballpark and avoiding big innings. Astin hasn't shown the durability to be a full-time starter, lasting more than six innings only once, and most teams think he profiles better as a fast-moving reliever.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Astin was a dominating closer for Arkansas' College World Series team as a sophomore in 2012. He moved to the rotation for the Razorbacks in 2013 and spent much of the next three seasons trying ineffectively to start as a pro. After acquiring him in the 2014 trade that sent Jonathan Broxton to the Brewers, the Reds moved him back to the bullpen in 2016 and saw him comfortably slip back into the fireman role he was born to play. Astin's fastball-slider combo plays better out of the pen, and his heavy sinker down in the zone makes him a candidate for a manager looking for a ground ball. In a good outing by Astin, his catcher is going to get dirty because the 6-foot-1 righthander lives at the bottom of the strike zone--and below. His 92-96 mph sinker is extremely hard for righthanded battters to lift, and his hard 88-90 mph cutter-slider has just enough of a wrinkle to get weak contact as well. Added to the 40-man roster after the 2016 season, Astin is a viable bullpen option in 2017. -
A star performer in the 2012 Arkansas bullpen, Astin closed games with aplomb and helped propel the school to the College World Series. He flashed a fastball at 94-95 mph that had heavy sink and induced groundballs regularly. Shifted to the Razorbacks rotation in 2013, Astin's fastball was less electric, sitting more at 88-92 mph under the increased workload. He throws a slider with cutting action that can be tough on lefthanders and mixes in a solid curveball with good tilt. He does a good job of pitching down in the zone, and when he misses, he usually misses down. He keeps the ball in the park and doesn't walk hitters, unafraid to throw the ball in the strike zone. Astin threw a lot of innings in 2013 and eventually wore down in his debut at Rookie-level Helena, but he finished strong with four no-hit innings in his final outing. Whether he will be durable enough to remain a starter remains to be seen, but at worst he profiles as a reliever who could move quickly. Astin likely will move up to low Class A Wisconsin in 2014.
Draft Prospects
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Arkansas built its 2012 College World Series team from the bullpen forward, beginning with Astin. He was electric as the team's durable closer, saving 11 games, getting plenty of ground balls and posting a 1.99 ERA. The 6-foot-1, 200-pounder also showed a fastball that reached 94-95 mph with bowling ball life down in the zone. He moved into a starting role this year and has been less electric, with his fastball sitting more in the 89-92 mph range. Astin throws a slider with cutter action that helps him combat lefthanded hitters, while adding a solid-average curveball with good shape. He does a good job of missing down, keeping the ball in the ballpark and avoiding big innings. Astin hasn't shown the durability to be a full-time starter, lasting more than six innings only once, and most teams think he profiles better as a fast-moving reliever.
Minor League Top Prospects
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Astin primarily worked out of the bullpen at Arkansas for two seasons before moving into the Razorbacks rotation as a junior. The Brewers signed him for $584,300 and kept him in the Helena rotation for his debut. Astin throws both a two-seam and four-seam fastball. The former ranges from 92-94 mph and features good sink and movement, while the latter has more zip at 95-96. An average to slightly above-average slider is his best offspeed pitch and has cutter action. He also uses a changeup and curveball. Astin repeats his three-quarters arm slot and has solid control. His command improved when he got used to facing higher-quality hitters, and he gave up six homers after giving up one in his last 150 college innings. He could move quickly as a reliever, but the Brewers intend to give him every chance to start.
