Over the next couple of weeks, I’ll be rolling out a series of prospect previews for Spring Training. This week we look at one of the top arms: AJ Blubaugh.
Blubaugh was selected in the seventh round of the 2022 draft out of the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee after a solid, albeit limited, college career. In his first full professional season, he showed promise, striking out 112 batters over 100 innings. Despite a 4.41 ERA, he finished strong in Double-A with a 1.26 ERA. In 2024, he had a true breakout season, reaching Triple-A and finishing with a 3.71 ERA and 133 strikeouts over 128.2 innings, helping Sugar Land capture the Triple-A Championship.
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Heading into 2025, expectations were high for continued success and a potential big league call-up. He made a couple solid starts before his MLB debut, where he allowed seven runs, two earned, over four innings. The next eight starts were a struggle, as he gave up 37 earned runs in 34.1 innings. Blubaugh regained his footing and earned a call-up in August, striking out eight over five innings in relief against Miami.
He finished the 2025 season in Houston dominant, posting a 1.69 ERA with 35 strikeouts over 32 innings while allowing just 17 hits. Blubaugh showcased a 98 MPH fastball and a devastating changeup which he didn’t allow a single hit with the pitch at the major league level, proving he has the tools to be a reliable big league arm. Blubaugh is extremely athletic and a former basketball player. Blubaugh is extremely athletic and a former basketball player, which contributes to his strong arm and agility on the mound.
Now entering 2026, Blubaugh has a legitimate opportunity to establish himself as a reliable big league arm. Read more on his 2025 season here.