Cristian Javier

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Houston Astros #8 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: Javier is a pitcher who is more impressive when watched over longer stints than in a showcase setting. He began 2019 at high Class A Fayetteville, but pitched his way to Triple-A Round Rock by the end of the season and earned a spot on the Astros' 40-man roster in the offseason.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Javier can touch 93-94 mph with his fastball, but he varies his fastball velocity by up to 5-6 mph to mess with hitter's timing. Javier's delivery hides the ball behind his back for a significant portion of his delivery. His average changeup has solid deception and some fade and his slow, average curveball is effective because of location and some depth. He uses an above-average slider against righthanders that sweeps across the plate. No pitch on its own is exceptional, but the fact is he was unhittable in 2019—righthanders hit .120 against him and lefties hit .144. If he falls behind, he's not going to throw a down-the-throat fastball.
  
  THE FUTURE: Skeptical evaluators still see him as a No. 5 starter due to his lack of plus stuff, but Javier's ability to thrive after being promoted to Double-A is an indicator that his stuff will play in the majors. He could help Houston as a spot starter or reliever in 2020.
• 
  Ranked Houston Astros #25 prospect in 2018
  Javier's strengths as a pitcher weren't all that apparent when he was an amateur. At your typical amateur showcase event in the Dominican Republic, radar gun readings and an ability to spin a breaking ball are much more apparent than reading swings and mixing pitches. Javier signed for only $10,000, but getting a chance to face hitters in games has allowed him to demonstrate how well he can work with four average pitches. Javier has gotten stronger as expected, and his fastball now sits at 88-92 mph. Hitters don't seem to get good swings against it, as it has some late life. Javier has always believed in his big, slow curveball and he's mastering a high-70s slider that is effective against same-side hitters. His changeup has developed over the past year into a fringe-average pitch. Javier has already climbed through five levels in just three seasons--his high Class A appearances were a pair of spot starts because the Astros felt comfortable he could handle the jump. He'll likely return to Buies Creek to start the 2018 season. Without a plus pitch, Javier faces the challenge of proving he can continue to outthink more advanced hitters, but he's yet to find a challenge he can't handle.

• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Javier is a pitcher who is more impressive when watched over longer stints than in a showcase setting. He began 2019 at high Class A Fayetteville, but pitched his way to Triple-A Round Rock by the end of the season and earned a spot on the Astros’ 40-man roster in the offseason.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Javier can touch 93-94 mph with his fastball, but he varies his fastball velocity by up to 5-6 mph to mess with hitter’s timing. Javier’s delivery hides the ball behind his back for a significant portion of his delivery. His average changeup has solid deception and some fade and his slow, average curveball is effective because of location and some depth. He uses an above-average slider against righthanders that sweeps across the plate. No pitch on its own is exceptional, but the fact is he was unhittable in 2019—righthanders hit .120 against him and lefties hit .144. If he falls behind, he’s not going to throw a down-the-throat fastball.
  
  THE FUTURE: Skeptical evaluators still see him as a No. 5 starter due to his lack of plus stuff, but Javier’s ability to thrive after being promoted to Double-A is an indicator that his stuff will play in the majors. He could help Houston as a spot starter or reliever in 2020.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Javier is a pitcher who is more impressive when watched over longer stints than in a showcase setting. He began 2019 at high Class A Fayetteville, but pitched his way to Triple-A Round Rock by the end of the season and earned a spot on the Astros' 40-man roster in the offseason.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Javier can touch 93-94 mph with his fastball, but he varies his fastball velocity by up to 5-6 mph to mess with hitter's timing. Javier's delivery hides the ball behind his back for a significant portion of his delivery. His average changeup has solid deception and some fade and his slow, average curveball is effective because of location and some depth. He uses an above-average slider against righthanders that sweeps across the plate. No pitch on its own is exceptional, but the fact is he was unhittable in 2019—righthanders hit .120 against him and lefties hit .144. If he falls behind, he's not going to throw a down-the-throat fastball.
  
  THE FUTURE: Skeptical evaluators still see him as a No. 5 starter due to his lack of plus stuff, but Javier's ability to thrive after being promoted to Double-A is an indicator that his stuff will play in the majors. He could help Houston as a spot starter or reliever in 2020.