Fleury headlines Astros in the Arizona Fall League
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The Astros have made eight consecutive playoff appearances, winning two World Series, four pennants and seven American League West titles during that span. Their international department has helped fuel that success by producing quality big league arms at bargain prices.
Bryan Abreu ($40,000), Ronel Blanco ($5,000), Luis Garcia ($20,000), Cristian Javier ($10,000), and Framber Valez ($10,000) all have far exceeded expectations since turning pro with Houston. Jose Fleury could be the next pitcher in that line.
Fleury, Houston’s No. 10 prospect, was the last and least expensive player in the Astros’ 2021 international class, signing for $10,000 out of the Dominican Republic that December. He made a spectacular pro debut with a 1.42 ERA and 60/4 K/BB ratio in 38 innings in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League, then encored in 2023 with a strikeout rate (12.7 per nine innings) and opponent average (.181) that would have led the Single-A Carolina League if he hadn’t fallen just shy of qualifying.
Fleury skipped a level and made the jump to Double-A this year at age 22, posting a 3.82 ERA with a .216 opponent average and a 74/26 K/BB ratio in 68 1/3 Double-A innings despite a thigh injury that cost him two months. Now he’s making up for lost time in the Arizona Fall League with the two-time defending champion Surprise Saguaros.
