Jose Urquidy

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Houston Astros #2 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: When other Astros' prospects proved unready to break into the rotation, Urquidy stepped in and even picked up a win in Game 4 of the World Series after throwing five scoreless innings. Urquidy, who was known as Jose Luis Hernandez until the 2019 season, had Tommy John surgery in 2017 and came into 2019 having not pitched above Class A.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: The Astros have a large number of pitching prospects who can throw harder than Urquidy and several who can spin a ball better. But his consistent ability to locate with plus control and command makes him quite effective. Urquidy has touched as high as 96-97 mph, but his average fastball generally sits 92-94. He throws his plus 82-84 mph changeup with excellent conviction. He's happy to double or triple-up with it as he believes in its deception and late-drop. He also has an average slider and a fringe-average curve. His slider plays up because it lives on the glove-side low-and-away corner.
  
  THE FUTURE: Urquidy doesn't wow and his body is already mature, but he showed he can deceive and keep hitters uncomfortable. He's a solid back-end starter thanks to his control.
• 
  Ranked Houston Astros #29 prospect in 2017
  The Hangar, home field for high Class A Lancaster, can destroy the psyche of even the best young pitcher. The degree of difficulty, however, barely raised Hernandez's blood pressure. In seven California League starts in 2016 he recorded a 3.48 ERA, which ranked significantly above league average once park-adjusted. Much like teammate Rogelio Armenteros, Hernandez stands out more for the consistency of his stuff. A thick-bodied, 6-foot righthander with a simple delivery, Hernandez can locate to the arm side or glove side with above-average control. He has outstanding feel for his secondary stuff, of which he has many offerings for hitters to consider. He throws cutters, curveballs, changeups and splitters to go with a fringe-average 88-92 mph fastball. Hernandez's plus changeup is his best pitch, but both his curveball and slider earn fringe-average to average grades. Hernandez will start at high Class A Buies Creek in 2017.

• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: When other Astros’ prospects proved unready to break into the rotation, Urquidy stepped in and even picked up a win in Game 4 of the World Series after throwing five scoreless innings. Urquidy, who was known as Jose Luis Hernandez until the 2019 season, had Tommy John surgery in 2017 and came into 2019 having not pitched above Class A.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: The Astros have a large number of pitching prospects who can throw harder than Urquidy and several who can spin a ball better. But his consistent ability to locate with plus control and command makes him quite effective. Urquidy has touched as high as 96-97 mph, but his average fastball generally sits 92-94. He throws his plus 82-84 mph changeup with excellent conviction. He’s happy to double or triple-up with it as he believes in its deception and late-drop. He also has an average slider and a fringe-average curve. His slider plays up because it lives on the glove-side low-and-away corner.
  
  THE FUTURE: Urquidy doesn’t wow and his body is already mature, but he showed he can deceive and keep hitters uncomfortable. He’s a solid back-end starter thanks to his control.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: When other Astros' prospects proved unready to break into the rotation, Urquidy stepped in and even picked up a win in Game 4 of the World Series after throwing five scoreless innings. Urquidy, who was known as Jose Luis Hernandez until the 2019 season, had Tommy John surgery in 2017 and came into 2019 having not pitched above Class A.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: The Astros have a large number of pitching prospects who can throw harder than Urquidy and several who can spin a ball better. But his consistent ability to locate with plus control and command makes him quite effective. Urquidy has touched as high as 96-97 mph, but his average fastball generally sits 92-94. He throws his plus 82-84 mph changeup with excellent conviction. He's happy to double or triple-up with it as he believes in its deception and late-drop. He also has an average slider and a fringe-average curve. His slider plays up because it lives on the glove-side low-and-away corner.
  
  THE FUTURE: Urquidy doesn't wow and his body is already mature, but he showed he can deceive and keep hitters uncomfortable. He's a solid back-end starter thanks to his control.