Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 45 | Overall: 45
Javier was a fairly anonymous signee out of the Dominican Republic in March 2015, turning pro for $10,000 a full 20 months after he first became eligible. He has performed well everywhere he has gone in the Minors, logging a 2.49 ERA with 361 strikeouts in 278 1/3 innings in his first four seasons. He began 2019 by dominating in the early going in high Class A, then continued to thrive in Double-A.
Despite working with an 88-93 mph fastball that tops out at 96, Javier regularly misses bats. His heater features tremendous shape and a high spin rate that creates riding action, so hitters constantly swing under it. He also can dodge barrels with a pair of solid breaking balls, a downer curveball and a sweeping slider.
Javier has overmatched right-handers at lower levels but will need to improve his changeup to handle more advanced left-handers. He has yet to prove he can throw consistent strikes, which he'll have to do in order to remain in the rotation. If he moves to the bullpen, he could be an asset as a multi-inning reliever. Transactions Team Date Transaction 11/20/2019 Houston Astros selected the contract of RHP Cristian Javier from Round Rock Express. 08/23/2019 RHP Cristian Javier assigned to Round Rock Express from Corpus Christi Hooks. 05/15/2019 RHP Cristian Javier assigned to Corpus Christi Hooks from Fayetteville Woodpeckers. 02/24/2019 RHP Cristian Javier assigned to Houston Astros. 06/12/2018 RHP Cristian Javier assigned to Buies Creek Astros from Quad Cities River Bandits. 07/19/2017 RHP Cristian Javier assigned to Quad Cities River Bandits from Tri-City ValleyCats. 07/02/2017 RHP Cristian Javier assigned to Tri-City ValleyCats from Buies Creek Astros. 06/29/2017 RHP Cristian Javier assigned to Buies Creek Astros from Tri-City ValleyCats. 06/19/2017 RHP Cristian Javier assigned to Tri-City ValleyCats from Buies Creek Astros. 05/25/2017 RHP Cristian Javier assigned to Buies Creek Astros from Greeneville Astros. 07/28/2016 RHP Cristian Javier assigned to Greeneville Astros from GCL Astros. 06/23/2016 RHP Cristian Javier assigned to GCL Astros. 06/03/2016 RHP Cristian Javier assigned to DSL Astros Orange from DSL Astros Blue. 07/24/2015 RHP Cristian Javier assigned to DSL Astros Blue from DSL Astros Orange. 06/20/2015 RHP Cristian Javier assigned to DSL Astros Orange from DSL Astros Blue. 06/08/2015 RHP Cristian Javier assigned to DSL Astros Blue. 03/19/2015 Houston Astros signed free agent RHP Cristian Javier to a minor league contract.
