Roy Oswalt

ROY OSWALT - HOUSTON ASTROS

Starting Pitcher
Age: 24 (August 29, 1977)
Height: 6-0 Weight: 175
Throws: Right Bats: Right




History

Roy Oswalt is a product of the Astros’ extensive draft-and-follow approach. Oswalt was drafted in the 23rd round in 1996 out of a Mississippi High School. From there, Oswalt proceeded to enroll at Holmes Junior College before signing with the Astros on May 18, 1997, just weeks before the 1997 amateur draft. He didn’t come cheap, however, as Houston had to pay Oswalt a $500,000 bonus to prevent him from being drafted by another team.

Oswalt has been productive throughout his minor league career, always striking out approximately a batter per inning and keeping a favorable K/BB ratio. He started out the 1997 season in the Gulf Coast League, where he dominated opposing batters and limited his ERA to a miniscule 0.64. Although Oswalt didn’t experience as much success upon his arrival in the short-season New York-Penn League later that season, he continued to impress the Astros’ front office with his talent and enormous upside.

Oswalt returned to the Gulf Coast League in 1998, where he had an unbelievable K/BB ratio of 27:1. When Oswalt was promoted to the New York-Penn League, he proceeded to improve upon his numbers from 1997 in that same circuit, posting a 2.18 ERA in 11 starts. He was promoted in 1999 to Class A Michigan, where he went 13-4 with a 4.46 ERA and favorable performance ratios. After the season, Oswalt pitched in Sydney at Olympics. He pitched well, allowing two earned runs in 13 innings of work.

His performance in 2000 was even more impressive, when he went 4-3 with a 2.98 ERA in eight starts, including 47 strikeouts in 45 innings pitched. He earned an emergency start in Class AA Round Rock, but when he responded with a 15-strikeout shutout, he was never demoted again below Class AA. Oswalt finished the season with Round Rock, going 11-4 with a 1.94 ERA, while allowing only 22 walks and striking out 141 batters in 130 innings pitched.

Oswalt began 2001 at Class AAA, but soon earned a promotion to Houston. He never looked back, finishing with a 14-3 record and 2.73 ERA. He struck out 144 batters in 141 innings pitched, while allowing only 24 walks.

His Game

Oswalt has a 92-94 MPH fastball, which occasionally reaches 96 MPH. The biggest problem with Oswalt’s fastball is that he tends to overthrow it at times, which leads to decreased movement and control. He does a fine job of concealing his pitches, and his fastball has late life, which makes it nearly impossible for right-handed hitters to hit. His slider is 83 MPH and he also throws a fastball in the low-70s. Oswalt has a deceptive delivery, and does a great job of locating his pitches and changing speeds. His size worries some scouts, although Oswalt has not been subject to prolonged injuries.

High Expectations

Great things were expected out of Oswalt at the start of the 2002 season. Most prognosticators predicted a return to his 2001 form, and some predicted even greater success as he would be spending a whole season in the majors. Others predicted a slight drop-off, but a dominating pitcher nonetheless. Which argument was closer to the truth?

Dominating, but inconsistent

Oswalt has been both dominating and inconsistent to this point of the season. He has been even better than last season at some times throughout this season, but he has also disappointed at times. Oswalt claims he has been attempting to over-throw the ball, which troubled him in the minor leagues. His over-throwing caused him to grip the ball tighter and decreased movement on his pitches. The problem is being addressed at the moment, and it is believed that Oswalt is recovering.

The overall numbers on Oswalt are not as good as last season. His hits and walks allowed are up from last season, and his strikeout total is down. Much of this has to do with his over-throwing, as his control was weakened and he became easier to hit. Oswalt has averaged more than seven innings per start, which is phenomenal for starting pitchers.

His overall lines stand at a 10-6 record and a 3.61 ERA. Oswalt has allowed 141 hits and 34 walks, while striking out 126 batters in 137 innings pitched. Oswalt threw just 141 innings in the majors last season – due to his original stint in Class AAA – and is rapidly approaching career high for total innings pitched. It is possible that fatigue has played a factor in Oswalt’s struggles, but not entirely realistic as Oswalt has the qualities of a workhorse starter.

Future Expectations

Fantasy owners can expect Oswalt to be a dominating starter for years to come. He is one of the top pitchers to have in both keeper leagues and single-season leagues. Now is the time to get Oswalt cheap as his struggles will not continue. One prominent minor league analyst recently predicted that Oswalt would win at least two Cy Young Awards throughout his career, and he could be a perennial Top 3 Cy Young Award finalist in a league with many talented young pitchers.

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Richie Madden
Indians Minor League Reporter