Height
6'2"
Weight
190 lbs
Age
25
College
Milwaukee
Experience
1 yrs
Bats/Throws
R/R
Fan Verdict
Grade this player:
Career StatsC+
| Year | Team | GP | ERA | W-L | K | WHIP | IP | SV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career |  | 12 | 1.8349514 | 3-2 | 38 | 0.87378645 | 0.0 | 0 |
Current Contract
Length
1 year
AAV
$780K/yr
Contract Value Index (CVI)
The Astros' decision to sign reliever AJ Blubaugh to a $0.8M one-year deal earns a B- CVI, representing solid value for a serviceable middle relief option. At less than $1M annually, Houston is getting affordable depth from a pitcher who profiles as a reliable seventh or eighth-inning arm without breaking the payroll. While Blubaugh isn't going to anchor the back end of their bullpen, he fills the crucial middle-tier role that contending teams need — someone who can eat innings against the bottom two-thirds of opposing lineups and keep games close. The short-term commitment makes perfect sense for both sides, giving the Astros flexibility while allowing Blubaugh to potentially earn a bigger payday if he performs well in Houston's competitive environment. For a team still operating within their championship window, securing dependable relief help at this price point checks all the boxes without limiting future roster construction. This is the type of under-the-radar signing that championship clubs make routinely — not flashy, but functionally sound.
Fan & Media Sentiment
AJ Blubaugh has captured the hearts of Astros fans and media despite what amounts to replacement-level production on the field. The young reliever's compelling faith-based backstory and raw strikeout potential have created an unusually positive narrative around a pitcher whose performance metrics suggest he's still finding his footing at the major league level. Houston's willingness to deploy him in high-leverage situations during his rookie campaign signals organizational belief that transcends his current statistical output, while his personal story resonates with fans who love rooting for an underdog with character. The disconnect between his A+ public perception and middling on-field results reflects how much goodwill a player can bank with authenticity and flashes of dominance, even when consistency remains elusive. For Blubaugh to maintain this positive sentiment long-term, he'll need to translate those tantalizing strikeout flashes into more reliable results — but for now, Houston's faithful are firmly in his corner, viewing him as a project worth patience rather than a liability.
Recent Games
| Date | OPP | Result | AB | H | R | HR | RBI | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wed, 4/8 | @ COL | L 1-9 | - | - | - | 0 | - | - | - |
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