Scouting grades: Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 45 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 55 | Overall: 45
Urquidy has demonstrated the best control and command in the system since the Astros purchased him from the Mexican League's Mexico City Red Devils for $100,000 in 2015. After missing all of 2017 following Tommy John surgery, he made a successful return last season and starred in the Carolina League playoffs as high Class A Buies Creek won the championship. He has continued to pound the strike zone while making the jump from Double-A to the big leagues in 2019.
Urquidy has to locate his pitches with precision because he can't overpower hitters. His best offering is a plus changeup with fade that he sells well by maintaining his fastball arm speed. His heater parks in the low 90s and peaks at 95 mph with some armside run.
His biggest need is to improve his soft curveball because right-handers have teed off on Urquidy since his elbow reconstruction. He has proven that he can deliver strike after strike but still has to show he can miss enough bats to succeed against advanced hitters. Projected as a middle reliever or swingman, his floor stands out more than his ceiling. Statcast - Pitching Season Pitches Batted Balls Barrels Barrel % Exit Velocity Launch Angle XBA XSLG WOBA XWOBA XWOBACON Hard Hit % K % BB % 2019 693 120 12 10.0 85.5 15.8 .233 .432 .285 .292 .368 29.2 24.0 4.2 ALL 693 120 12 10.0 85.5 15.8 .233 .432 .285 .292 .368 29.2 24.0 4.2 MLB 40553 6.3 87.5 11.2 .251 .412 .317 .318 .371 34.5 21.7 8.3 Transactions Team Date Transaction 08/31/2019 Houston Astros recalled RHP Jose Urquidy from Round Rock Express. 08/02/2019 Houston Astros optioned RHP Jose Urquidy to Round Rock Express. 07/20/2019 Houston Astros recalled Jose Urquidy from Round Rock Express. 07/08/2019 Houston Astros optioned RHP Jose Urquidy to Round Rock Express. 07/02/2019 Houston Astros selected the contract of Jose Urquidy from Round Rock Express. 05/15/2019 RHP Jose Urquidy assigned to Round Rock Express from Corpus Christi Hooks. 03/27/2019 RHP Jose Hernandez-Urquidy assigned to Corpus Christi Hooks from Fayetteville Woodpeckers. 01/22/2019 Houston Astros invited non-roster RHP Jose Hernandez to spring training. 11/18/2018 Venados de Mazatlan placed RHP Jose Hernandez on the reserve list. 10/11/2018 RHP Jose Hernandez assigned to Venados de Mazatlan. 07/14/2018 Buies Creek Astros activated RHP Jose Hernandez from the 7-day injured list. 06/21/2018 Buies Creek Astros sent RHP Jose Hernandez on a rehab assignment to Tri-City ValleyCats. 04/05/2018 Buies Creek Astros placed RHP Jose Hernandez on the 7-day disabled list. 09/27/2017 Buies Creek Astros activated RHP Jose Hernandez from the 7-day disabled list. 07/23/2016 Jose Hernandez assigned to Lancaster JetHawks from Quad Cities River Bandits. 04/05/2016 RHP Jose Hernandez assigned to Quad Cities River Bandits from Tri-City ValleyCats. 03/26/2016 RHP Jose Hernandez assigned to Houston Astros. 12/01/2015 Venados de Mazatlan placed RHP Jose Hernandez on the reserve list. 10/21/2015 RHP Jose Hernandez assigned to Venados de Mazatlan. 10/21/2015 Venados de Mazatlan placed RHP Jose Hernandez on the reserve list. 08/12/2015 RHP Jose Hernandez assigned to Tri-City ValleyCats from Greeneville Astros. 07/09/2015 RHP Jose Hernandez assigned to Greeneville Astros. 03/09/2015 Houston Astros signed RHP Jose Hernandez.
