Jake Buchanan

After showing moderate success as a starter in the minors, Buchanan was called up to make his major league debut in a spot start last June. The 25-year-old right-hander was roughed up during the loss, however, and was subsequently demoted to the minors a week later. He returned in July to serve as the Astros' long man out of the bullpen, and in 17 total appearances (two starts), he went 1-3 with a 4.58 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 20:12 K:BB in 35.1 innings. An eighth-round pick of Houston in the 2010 draft, Buchanan doesn't miss many bats (5.5 K/9 in the minors), but he has good control (1.8 BB/9) and got a significant number of his big league outs on the ground (4.24 GB/FB). A return to the long-man role appears likely provided that he pitches well this spring.