During the Championship Era, the Astros have a storied history of improving mediocre pitchers or creating diamonds out of seeming lumps of coal. In the latter category, guys like Darryl Kuechel and just about every Latino pitcher who was so instrumental in bringing a World Series trophy back to Houston in 2022 come to mind.
In the former category, well another long list: Gerrit Cole, Charlie Morton, Chris Devenski, (remember when he was an All Star) Will Harris, Collin McHugh, Ryan Pressly. There are more. Hell, many people thought Justin Verlander’s career was on the fast track to oblivion before he came to Houston and was suddenly rejuvenated, winning two Cy Young’s and throwing a no-hitter after coming to Houston in his late 30’s.