Hooks pitcher Spencer Arrighetti doesn’t need a reminder on how to bounce back after a slow start or how to recover after a rough outing.
The 23-year-old hard-throwing right-hander from Albuquerque, New Mexico has been a difference maker on the mound for nearly every team he’s played on, including stops at Navarro Junior College, TCU and five starts with the Hooks during the 2022 season.
Even after Arrighetti allowed six runs in the Hooks’ season opener on April 6 against the Arkansas Travelers, the Astros’ sixth-round pick from the 2021 MLB Draft never felt discouraged and neither did the organization.
“I started off the year really slow on my standards,” Arrighetti said. “I wasn’t quite where I needed to be from a competitive standpoint and then on top of that, psychologically, I wasn’t feeling the best. Over the course of the season my goal has been to find myself again.”
Arrighetti went back to the drawing board to work on his mechanics and so far, his dedication to improve has paid off.
As of July 9, Arrighetti has been one of the best pitchers in the Texas League after posting a 0.56 earned run average (two earned runs) with 44 strikeouts in his last 32 innings.
“I would say I anticipated the year a lot better but where I am right now, I am happy with the course that I’ve set,” Arrighetti said. “I’ve thrown the ball a lot harder my last few outings and I’m throwing the ball harder like I was last year. I’m walking less guys than I was, and I’m really happy with where I’m at right now.”
Arrighetti went to high school in Katy and played baseball at Cinco Ranch High School.
Arrighetti led Houston minor league pitchers with 152 strikeouts in 106 innings with a 3.43 ERA during the 2022 season, and was called up to Double-A Corpus Christi on Aug. 22, 2022.
“Last year I had good success and this year, my goal was to repeat that,” Arrighetti said. “I would say my focus this season has been to try and be as consistent as possible and try to be the same guy everyday. I feel like that has been easier for me when I’m competing.”
Arrighetti said preparing for each start like he’s not playing well has also helped him improve his game.
He also gave credit to his coaching staff and Astros’ pitching coaches Josh Miller and Billy Murphy for his minor league success.
“I would say my focus has been trying to feel as consistent as possible and try to be the same guy every day,” Arrighetti said. “I feel like that has been easier for me when I’m competing. My preparation on the field and in the clubhouse.
“It’s always a numbers game and we have the luxury of having the best pitching staff in Major League Baseball year after year and it’s no accident because we’re really good at developing pitchers.”
Arrighetti knows what success on the mound can mean when it comes to being called up to the big leagues or Triple-A.
The Astros are currently dealing with three injured starters in former Hooks pitcher Luis Garcia, Lance McCullers Jr. and Jose Urquidy.
“I would like to believe I’m a part of that picture in the near future,” Arrighetti said. “I think the more I continue to throw the ball the way that I am, the greater that likelihood becomes. I’m not entirely concerned of how or when it happens, I just want to be ready when my name is called.”
Arrighetti grew up an Astros fan after playing in Katy and considers himself a “fan first” with Jose Altuve being his favorite plater.
Arighetti said getting to play alongside Altuve during his rehab start in May helped him learn about what it takes to compete at the next level.
“He’s one of the most level-headed person I’ve met,” Arrighetti said. “As weird as it is, I play for the Astros organization but I’m an Astros fan first. I want to see them continue to have great success and win a World Series.
“Obviously as a competitor and the man I am now, I want to be a part of that picture when we’re at our best and winning championships,” he added. “I’m going to keep pushing and doing everything I can to get as good as I can so when my name is called, I’m ready to go.”
This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Hooks pitcher Spencer Arrighetti finding groove after slow start