When the San Diego Padres requested Joe Musgrove from the Houston Astros in their trade package for Craig Kimbrel, the Astros deemed it too steep and backed down. Musgrove is a 6’5”, the 255-pound righty with a two-seam fastball, four-seam fastball, curveball, and slider that hover between average and above average. So what makes him such a strong candidate to be 2016’s breakout rookie? The short answer is his refined control, which has elevated him to new heights among Astros prospects.
HOW HE GOT HERE
Musgrove, 22, was drafted out of Grossmont High School (El Cajon, CA) by the Toronto Blue Jays as a compensation pick in the 1st round of the MLB Draft in 2011.