If the 2019 season started today, we’re likely looking at a starting unit of Justin Verlander, Gerrit Cole, and three unknowns. I don’t expect for Dallas Keuchel to resign with the Astros while Charlie Morton‘s return isn’t a guarantee. Lance McCullers Jr. may or may not need offseason elbow surgery, which would impact his availability to at least start the 2019 season. Free agency and trades may play a part, but the young pitching talent bragged about on the farm must start producing sooner or later.
Even though Houston’s front office deserves plenty of credit for assembling a championship-caliber roster, they haven’t had a top prospect develop into a quality starting pitcher in the last few years besides McCullers Jr.