AJ Blubaugh
P | Bats/Throws: R/R | 6' 2" 190LBS | Age: 24
Draft: 2022 | Rd: 7, #223, Houston Astros | Milwaukee
MLB Pipeline Rank
Astros: No. 11
W L ERA G GS SV IP SO WHIP
2025 1 1 1.38 3 2 1 13 21 1.15
Career Minors 21 9 3.91 63 42 2 260.1 290 1.30
G W-L ERA IP SO WHIP
2025 3 1-1 1.38 13 21 1.15
Career Minors 63 21-9 3.91 260.1 290 1.30
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Standard Minor League Pitching Statistics

SeasonTmLGLWLERAGGSSVIPHRERHRBBSOWHIP
2022 2 Teams Minors 2 1 4.34 6 3 0 18.2 14 9 9 0 6 24 1.07
2022 FCL Astros Blue FCL ROK 0 0 3.18 3 2 0 5.2 3 2 2 0 3 4 1.06
2022 Fayetteville Woodpeckers CAR A 2 1 4.85 3 1 0 13.0 11 7 7 0 3 20 1.08
2023 2 Teams Minors 6 3 4.41 26 12 1 100.0 89 52 49 11 45 112 1.34
2023 Asheville Tourists SAL A+ 6 3 4.94 22 9 1 85.2 85 50 47 10 37 93 1.42
2023 Corpus Christi Hooks TEX AA 0 0 1.26 4 3 0 14.1 4 2 2 1 8 19 0.84
2024 2 Teams Minors 12 4 3.71 28 25 0 128.2 119 58 53 14 51 133 1.32
2024 Corpus Christi Hooks TEX AA 0 0 0.00 1 0 0 4.0 2 0 0 0 0 5 0.50
2024 Sugar Land Space Cowboys PCL AAA 12 4 3.83 27 25 0 124.2 117 58 53 14 51 128 1.35
2025 Sugar Land Space Cowboys PCL AAA 1 1 1.38 3 2 1 13.0 11 3 2 0 4 21 1.15
FCL Astros FCL ROK 0 0 3.18 3 2 0 5.2 3 2 2 0 3 4 1.06
Sugar Land Space Cowboys PCL AAA 13 5 3.60 30 27 1 137.2 128 61 55 14 55 149 1.33
Corpus Christi Hooks TEX AA 0 0 0.98 5 3 0 18.1 6 2 2 1 8 24 0.76
Asheville Tourists SAL A+ 6 3 4.94 22 9 1 85.2 85 50 47 10 37 93 1.42
Fayetteville Woodpeckers CAR A 2 1 4.85 3 1 0 13.0 11 7 7 0 3 20 1.08

Scouting Report

2025

Scouting grades: Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 50 | Cutter: 50 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 50 | Overall: 45

The Horizon League reliever of the year in 2021 and 2022 at Milwaukee, Blubaugh became a starter after the Astros drafted him in the seventh round in the latter year. The transition has gone well, as he performed well in Double-A and the Arizona Fall League to cap his first full pro season and won All-Star accolades and a championship in the Triple-A Pacific Coast League in his second. He led the PCL with 12 victories and strikeout rate (24 percent) while ranking second in ERA (3.83) and fourth in strikeouts (128 in 124 2/3 innings).

Blubaugh operates with a 92-95 mph fastball that tops out at 97 and comes out of a high arm slot with armside run and carry that keeps it off barrels. His most effective secondary pitch is a low-80s changeup with fade and depth. Houston has helped him develop a sweeping low-80s slider that elicits chases but gets pounded when he leaves it over the plate, and he also has an upper-70 curveball with similar issues and a mid-80s cutter.

A basketball and football standout as an Ohio prepster, Blubaugh has the athleticism to repeat his upright delivery with a long arm action in back. With a little more refinement of his arsenal, control and command, he could be a No. 4 starter in the big leagues. If that doesn't happen, he'll likely be a spot starter and multi-inning reliever.


2024

Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50 | Overall: 45

Though Blubaugh was the Horizon League reliever of the year in 2021 and 2022, Houston drafted the Milwaukee product in the seventh round in '22 with the intention of stretching him out into a starter. Working in a piggyback system in his first full pro season, he notched 112 strikeouts in 100 innings while reaching Double-A, where he logged a 1.26 ERA in four outings. He continued to impress in the Arizona Fall League and looks poised for a breakout 2024 season.

The Astros have reshaped Blubaugh's pitches since he entered pro ball, and he has adapted quickly. He usually deals with a 92-95 mph fastball that features armside run and carry, and his heater climbed into the upper 90s when he worked shorter stints in the AFL. He has picked up an 82-85 mph sweeping slider and will add a tighter bullet version in 2024.

Blubaugh also has a low-80s changeup with interesting fade and tumble and an upper-70s curveball with good depth, though he struggles to throw them for strikes. Also a basketball and football standout in high school, he's a quality athlete who should have average or better control once he gets more accustomed to his repertoire and longer outings. If his velocity continues to increase, he could be the Astros' next pitching surprise.



Awards




Transactions

Team Date Transaction
01/17/2025 Houston Astros invited non-roster RHP A.J. Blubaugh to spring training.
07/14/2024 American League Futures activated RHP A.J. Blubaugh.
04/10/2024 RHP A.J. Blubaugh assigned to Sugar Land Space Cowboys from Corpus Christi Hooks.
03/07/2024 Houston Astros Prospects activated RHP A.J. Blubaugh.
01/19/2024 Houston Astros invited non-roster RHP A.J. Blubaugh to spring training.
11/03/2023 RHP A.J. Blubaugh assigned to American League Fall Stars.
09/22/2023 Mesa Solar Sox activated RHP A.J. Blubaugh.
08/26/2023 RHP A.J. Blubaugh assigned to Corpus Christi Hooks from Asheville Tourists.
08/26/2023 Corpus Christi Hooks activated RHP A.J. Blubaugh.
04/03/2023 RHP A.J. Blubaugh assigned to Asheville Tourists from Fayetteville Woodpeckers.
08/22/2022 RHP A.J. Blubaugh assigned to Fayetteville Woodpeckers from FCL Astros Blue.
08/06/2022 RHP A.J. Blubaugh assigned to FCL Astros Blue.
07/22/2022 Houston Astros signed RHP A.J. Blubaugh.
06/05/2022 RHP A.J. Blubaugh and assigned to College Workout.